5 There are many philosophers and thinkers who find the fatherland everywhere, and who would rejoice to see the word patriotism synonymous with humanity. In pursuance of this philosophy, one might be guilty of the anachronism of reasoning and judging in conformity with the ideas and social spirit of antiquity which were, undoubtedly, quite different from the ideas and social sentiment of the present epoch.
The soul of the nations, precarious and bounded in its horizon by the limits of the land in past ages, undergoes continual transformation, developing and widening as frontiers are gained and overleaped; in which process prejudices are eradicated and national and racial differences destroyed. It is slowly progressing towards a universal objective; varying ideals are being transmuted and fused into one grand conception, a supereminently human ideal, namely, the universal brotherhood of man.
The old patriotism, narrow and egotistic, had its roots deeply implanted within the confines of the state. It mapped out frontiers whose lines were impassible. The patria for which the Greeks and Romans fought is not similar to the patriotic sentiment entertained to day, at least by the enlightened portion of the human race, and this is the portion which, in the long run, leads and directs the states.
It was Rome which first set the noble example of carrying beyond the frontiers and enlarging the idea of the fatherland, so that it embraced the conquered nations. Thus the idea of justice was extended, the foreigner being granted rights of citizenship while his gods were transported to the Roman eoi In this way