Vulgar Patriotism.
Hatred of Powerful Neighbours.
Next to the rancour of internal politics, the greatest obstacle to justice is that kind of vulgar patriotism which cannot love its own country without hating its neighbours. This sentiment of hatred is strictly proportionate to the neighbour’s power. The English have no animosity against Swiss republicanism, though it is still more democratic than French. The French had a romantic sympathy with Italy in her weakness, but they detest her in her strength.
Justice to Citizens of Insignificant States.
Most English and French people are capable of justice towards foreigners who belong to insignificant States, such as the Danes, the Dutch, the Belgians, the Swiss, and the Greeks. A few are capable of justice towards citizens of great and powerful States.
Mr. Grant Allen just to the French about Algeria.
French Sympathy with Gordon at Khartoum.
Mr. Grant Allen has given an excellent example of this rare kind of justice in saying simply what is true about the French colony of Algeria, and in expressing the desire, in the interests of civilisation, that the beneficent French power might ultimately be permitted to extend itself over Morocco. I remember that when the fate of Gordon at Khartoum was still unsettled, some Frenchmen expressed a hearty desire for his preservation and success. They considered that he represented civilisation against barbarism, and placed themselves on the side of civilisation.
French Feeling about War.
I have occasionally met with French people who tried to be just even to the Germans, and that, of course, is very hard for them, but the great majority are unable to look upon war as a simple game in which the loser pays the penalty. They think of it as a glorious enterprise when they win, and as a cruel inhuman outrage when they are defeated.