What is patriotism?  Is it a narrow affection for the spot where a man was born?  Are the very clods where we tread entitled to this ardent preference, because they are greener?  No, sir, this is not the character of the virtue, and it soars higher for its object.  It is an extended self-love, mingling with all the enjoyments of life, and twisting itself with the minutest filaments of the heart.  It is thus we obey the laws of society, because they are the laws of virtue.  In their authority we see not the array of force and terror, but the venerable image of our country’s honor.  Every good citizen makes that honor his own, and cherishes it not only as precious, but as sacred.  He is willing to risk his life in its defence; and is conscious that he gains protection, while he gives it.  For what rights of a citizen will be deemed inviolable, when a state renounces the principles that constitute their security?  Or, if his life should not be invaded, what would its enjoyments be in a country odious in the eyes of strangers, and dishonored in his own?  Could he look with affection and veneration to such a country as his parent?  The sense of having one would die within him; he would blush for his patriotism, if he retained any, and justly. for it would be a vice; he would be a banished man in his native land.

I see no exception to the respect that is paid among nations to the law of good faith.  If there are cases in this enlightened period when it is violated, then are none when it is decried.  It is the philosophy of politics, the religion of governments.  It is observed by barbarians; a whiff of tobacco smoke, or a string of beads, gives not merely binding force, but sanctity, to treaties.  Even in Algiers, a truce may be bought for money; but when ratified, even Algiers is too wise or too just, to disown and annul its obligation.  Thus we see, neither the ignorance of savages, nor the principles of an association for piracy and rapine, permit a nation to despise its engagements.  If, sir, there could be a resurrection from the foot of the gallows, if the victims of justice could live again, collect together, and form a society, they would, however loath, soon find themselves obliged to make justice, that justice under which they fell, the fundamental law of their state.  They would perceive it was their interest to make others respect, and they would, therefore, soon pay some respect themselves, to the obligations of good faith.

* * * * *

=_Gouverneur Morris, 1752-1816._= (Manual, p. 484.)

From a “Report to Congress in 1780.”

=_69._= QUALIFICATIONS OF A MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.