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The only true barrier against the despotism of public opinion；
whether it be of the many or of the few； is enlightened individual
freedom and purity of personal character。 Without these there can
be no vigorous manhood； no true liberty in a nation。 Political
rights； however broadly framed； will not elevate a people
individually depraved。 Indeed； the more complete a system of
popular suffrage； and the more perfect its protection； the more
completely will the real character of a people be reflected； as by
a mirror； in their laws and government。 Political morality can
never have any solid existence on a basis of individual
immorality。 Even freedom； exercised by a debased people； would
come to be regarded as a nuisance； and liberty of the press but a
vent for licentiousness and moral abomination。
Nations； like individuals； derive support and strength from the
feeling that they belong to an illustrious race； that they are the
heirs of their greatness； and ought to be the perpetuators of
their glory。 It is of momentous importance that a nation should
have a great past （21） to look back upon。 It steadies the life of
the present； elevates and upholds it； and lightens and lifts it
up； by the memory of the great deeds； the noble sufferings； and
the valorous achievements of the men of old。 The life of nations；
as of men； is a great treasury of experience； which； wisely used；
issues in social progress and improvement； or； misused； issues in
dreams； delusions； and failure。 Like men； nations are purified
and strengthened by trials。 Some of the most glorious chapters in
their history are those containing the record of the sufferings by
means of which their character has been developed。 Love of
liberty and patriotic feeling may have done much； but trial and
suffering nobly borne more than all。
A great deal of what passes by the name of patriotism in these
days consists of the merest bigotry and narrow…mindedness；
exhibiting itself in national prejudice； national conceit； amid
national hatred。 It does not show itself in deeds； but in
boastingsin howlings； gesticulations； and shrieking helplessly
for helpin flying flags and singing songsand in perpetual
grinding at the hurdy…gurdy of long…dead grievances and long…
remedied wrongs。 To be infested by SUCH a patriotism as this is；
perhaps； amongst the greatest curses that can befall any country。
But as there is an ignoble； so is there a noble patriotismthe
patriotism that invigorates and elevates a country by noble work
that does its duty truthfully and manfullythat lives an honest；
sober； and upright life； and strives to make the best use of the
opportunities for improvement that present themselves on every
side； and at the same time a patriotism that cherishes the memory
and example of the great men of old； who； by their sufferings in
the cause of religion or of freedom； have won for themselves a
deathless glory； and for their nation those privileges of free
life and free institutions of which they are the inheritors and
possessors。
Nations are not to be judged by their size any more than
individuals：
〃it is not growing like a tree
In bulk； doth make Man better be。〃
For a nation to be great； it need not necessarily be big； though
bigness is often confounded with greatness。 A nation may be very
big in point of territory and population and yet be devoid of true
greatness。 The people of Israel were a small people； yet what a
great life they developed； and how powerful the influence they
have exercised on the destinies of mankind！ Greece was not big：
the entire population of Attica was less than that of South
Lancashire。 Athens was less populous than New York； and yet how
great it was in art； in literature； in philosophy； and in
patriotism！ （22）
But it was the fatal weakness of Athens that its citizens had no
true family or home life； while its freemen were greatly
outnumbered by its slaves。 Its public men were loose； if not
corrupt； in morals。 Its women； even the most accomplished； were
unchaste。 Hence its fall became inevitable； and was even more
sudden than its rise。
In like manner the decline and fall of Rome was attributable to
the general corruption of its people； and to their engrossing love
of pleasure and idlenesswork； in the later days of Rome； being
regarded only as fit for slaves。 Its citizens ceased to pride
themselves on the virtues of character of their great forefathers；
and the empire fell because it did not deserve to live。 And so
the nations that are idle and luxuriousthat 〃will rather lose a
pound of blood；〃 as old Burton says； 〃in a single combat； than a
drop of sweat in any honest labour〃must inevitably die out； and
laborious energetic nations take their place。
When Louis XIV。 asked Colbert how it was that； ruling so great and
populous a country as France； he had been unable to conquer so
small a country as Holland； the minister replied： 〃Because； Sire；
the greatness of a country does not depend upon the extent of its
territory； but on the character of its people。 It is because of
the industry； the frugality； and the energy of the Dutch that your
Majesty has found them so difficult to overcome。〃
It is also related of Spinola and Richardet； the ambassadors sent
by the King of Spain to negotiate a treaty at the Hague in 1608；
that one day they saw some eight or ten persons land from a little
boat； and； sitting down upon the grass； proceed to make a meal of
bread…and…cheese and beer。 〃Who are those travellers asked the
ambassadors of a peasant。 〃These are worshipful masters； the
deputies from the States；〃 was his reply。 Spinola at once
whispered to his companion； 〃We must make peace： these are not men
to be conquered。〃
In fine； stability of institutions must depend upon stability of
character。 Any number of depraved units cannot form a great
nation。 The people may seem to be highly civilised； and yet be
ready to fall to pieces at first touch of adversity。 Without
integrity of individual character； they can have no real strength；
cohesion； soundness。 They may be rich； polite； and artistic； and
yet hovering on the brink of ruin。 If living for themselves only；
and with no end but pleasureeach little self his own little god
such a nation is doomed； and its decay is inevitable。
Where national character ceases to be upheld； a nation may be
regarded as next to lost。 Where it ceases to esteem and to
practise the virtues of truthfulness； honesty； integrity； and
justice； it does not deserve to live。 And when the time arrives
in any country when wealth has so corrupted； or pleasure so
depraved； or faction so infatuated the people； that honour； order；
obedience； virtue； and loyalty have seemingly become things of the
past； then； amidst the darkness； when honest menif； haply；
there be such leftare groping about and feeling for each
other's hands； their only remaining hope