Chap. IV.]

DUTIES OF PATRIOTISM.

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the choicest powers, physical, intellectual, and moral, in advanc-ing its interest, honor, and happiness. Every man whose breastis warmed by the love of country, and who is ready to devotehis best powers of body and mind to its welfare, is fully entitled,in the best sense of the term, to the name and honors of patriot-ism. If it is urged, that the soldier devotes his life to the ser-vice of his country ; a sacrifice which, from the nature of thecase, can be made in no peaceful profession, still, conceding themost that can be made of the argument in this way, the soldieris only entitled to higher praise, and, by no means, to the exclu-sive honors of patriotism.

“ The love of our country,” says Yattel, “is natural to allmen. The good and wise author of nature has taken care tobind them by a kind of instinct, to the places where they receivedtheir first breath. * But, frequently, some causes unhappilyweaken or destroy this natural impression. The injustice orseverity of the government too easily effaces it in the hearts ofthe subjects.”! Again ; he says, “ The state will be powerfuland happy, if the good qualities of the subject, passing beyondthe narrow sphere of the virtues of individuals, become the vir-tues of citizens. The grand secret of giving the virtues ofindividuals so happy a turn with respect to the state, is, to in-spire the citizens with an ardent love for their country. Itwill naturally follow, that each will endeavour to serve the state,and to apply all his powers and abilities to the advantage andglory of the nation.” “And,” continues he, “he must bevery ignorant of politics, who does not know, that a virtuousnation will be more capable than any other, of forming a statethat is at once happy, tranquil, flourishing, solid, respected byits neighbours, and formidable to its enemies.” | Such are theviews of this distinguished writer, in regard to the patriotic spiritand the patriotic virtues of the most effective and valuable kind.These virtues consist of industry, frugality, moderation combinedwith energy,'physical and moral courage, disciplined passions,justice, benevolence, enterprise, foresight, and good faith, allenlightened and guided by exact and comprehensive knowledge.

* See the Odyssey, Lib. IX. 34 - 36. f Law of Nations, p. 110.

t Idem, pp. 108,109.

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