one against such a
hypothesis.

But to reduce the chances still more, let us bring a parallel of fact to
illustrate a principle of _national honor_.

_Paine._

"There is such an idea in the world as that of
national honor, and this falsely understood is
oftentimes the cause of war. In a Christian and
philosophical sense mankind seem to have stood
still at individual civilizations, and to retain
as nations all the original rudeness of nature.
Peace by treaty is only a cessation of violence
for a reformation of sentiment. It is a substitute
for a principle that is wanting and ever will be
wanting till the idea of national honor is rightly
understood. I remember the late Admiral Saunders
declaring in the House of Commons, and that in the
time of peace, 'That the city of Madrid laid in
ashes was not a sufficient atonement for the
Spaniards taking off the rudder of an English
sloop of war.' I do not ask whether this is
Christianity or morality, I ask whether it is
decency? whether it is proper language for a
nation to use? In private life we call it by the
plain name of bullying, and the elevation of rank
can not alter its character. It is, I think,
exceedingly easy to define what ought to be
understood by national honor; for that which is
the best character for an individual is the best
character for a nation; and wherever the latter
exceeds or falls beneath the former, there is a
departure from the line of true
greatness."--Crisis, vii.

_Junius._

"If we recollect in what manner the _king's
friends_ have been constantly employed, we shall
have no reason to be surprised at any condition of
disgrace to which the once respected name of
Englishman may be degraded.... The expedition
against Port Egmont does not appear to have been a
sudden ill-concerted enterprise: it seems to have
been conducted, not only with the usual military
precautions, but in all the forms and ceremonies
of war. A frigate was first employed to examine
the strength of the place. A message was then sent
demanding immediate possession in the Catholic
king's name, and ordering our people to depart. At
last