To the Class of 2015 -

I hope this letter finds you all well and ready for the coming year. You will soon find, if you haven’t already, that Yale’s campus is teeming with passionate people and myriad activities, available for those who only ask. But something you may not have considered is how to decide which path to take and call your own. When, as it seems, everything is permitted, what will you choose? This question, of course, runs much deeper than which extra-curricular activities you join, but even that will profoundly shape your time here. I cannot presume to tell you the answer, but for those of you with a political, philosophical, or rhetorical bent, let me make a suggestion: The Federalist Party.

A debating society centered around a traditional style of debate and exchange of ideas, and one of seven constituent parties of the Yale Political Union, the Federalist Party commits itself to rediscovering American conservatism. We stand for a vigorous, but limited government, a public strength born not of size but of conviction. We believe that a strong nation is built on the foundation of a strong culture and abhor the breakdown of the family, the culture of casual hook-ups, fashionable relativism, extended adolescence, and consumerism.

On our debate floor, you will hear odes to the lost Western frontier, traditional courtship, baseball, hunting, jazz, the 1950s, and other sundry American glories. But you will also hear the enthusiastic discussion of new ideas which seek to preserve America as the world's greatest beacon of liberty and opportunity.

We value and seek to cultivate strong thought and right action rounded by the enduring bonds of friendship.  We are a society of ethicists, intellectuals, and believers who not only gather each week on the debate floor and at Monday dinners, Friday lunches, and occasional guest lectures, who share in Party picnics, even lawn games, and toasting sessions at Mory's, but also meet as friends in classes and in common rooms.

If you’re interested in the Federalist Party, you don’t have to wait to get on campus to get involved! Our Party is sponsoring a summer essay contest for the Class of 2015. Send a new essay or one you’ve already written that holds true to our Party’s mission to “rediscover American conservatism,” encompassing any political, intellectual, philosophical, or theological topic by August 15th to yalefederalist@gmail.com. We will announce a winner by the 26th, who will receive a $50 Amazon gift card. Next, we are inviting you, the Class of 2015, to choose our first debate. By following this link*, and entering your email, you can vote as many times as you'd like throughout the summer between three topics. The results will be updated each day on our website, federalist.squarespace.com.

We Federalists are excited at this start of a new year and a new class. I myself am eager to meet you when you arrive on campus at the end of August. If between that time and now you have any questions, or would simply like to get in touch, please don’t hesitate to send me an email or even a call. I look forward to seeing you this fall.

Sincerely,

Chris Landry
Chief Whip
. . .
christopher.landry@yale.edu
646.957.3593
friend us on facebook**

* http://bit.ly/ob8VQL
**http://on.fb.me/m1o6SB