The ideals which a nation believes that it exemplifies are various. Sometimes it is that of good government. Virgil felt that Rome was spreading peace and order throughout the world.[116] Sometimes it is the ideal of justice. The patriot seems to feel that in his country’s just cause eternal justice itself is being incarnated. “A patriot he [Washington] was in the highest sense, not because he loved his country with a selfish love, but because he loved justice on the broadest scale, and believed that the cause of his country was that of eternal justice.”[117] But the ideal which has been exploited perhaps more than any other is that of freedom. Patriots thrill at the thought that not only is their country the guardian of their freedom, but is the champion of freedom throughout all the world. This ideal has the honor of having most keenly aroused the consciences of states. “It is a curious fact that practically every case in which altruistic action has been professed by or recommended to a nation has been a case in which the ‘liberty’ of some human beings was in question. Thus both the antislavery and the Bulgarian agitations [in England] were questions of liberty; and the whole Palmerstonian policy was directed against tyranny. There is indeed some ground for believing that the positive international moral sense has at present only developed with regard to freedom. There are many people, especially in this country, who would say that it is the duty of a state, regardless of its own interests, to protect the freedom of another state, especially if the inhabitants of the latter are of kindred race to themselves.”[118] Patriotism often rests upon the belief in the value of the country’s civilization. The civilization of a country is its art, culture, customs, and in general its way of living. It is its _kultur_. Loisy speaks for France, “... though we do not brag of our culture, we are sure that the ruin of France would be no gain to civilization.... We are safeguarding a notable portion of our human inheritance from the madness of the destroyer.”[119] Sometimes the element of the civilization cherished most is that of religion. The Jewish patriotism was an example of this. Sometimes there is a belief that one’s own nation has a way of doing things better than others. Germany is an example. At other times, pride is founded upon the greatness of one’s institutions. The English and Americans feel such pride. Sometimes patriotism waxes enthusiastic over economic accomplishment. The following is an expression of patriotism which, while it will no doubt be astonishing to most people, nevertheless seems to be sincere: “It is an element of patriotism to reverence the successful business man of America, and Our Nation must request and heed the advice and admonitions of men experienced in affairs.”[120] The context shows that the author likes the _status quo_ of industry and wealth, and wants more of the same thing.