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The alternative to
nationalism is not internationalism, but parochialism.
Nationalism is the
dominant force of our time and those who oppose it lose the opportunity
of controlling it.
If the first martyr of
Nationalism was a Scot, Sir William Wallace, the last word on
Nationalism was said by another Scot in his appreciation of Andrew
Fletcher who led the Scottish opposition to the Treaty of Union with
England.
"He would give up
his life to serve his country but would not commit a mean action in
order to save it.
Scottish Nationalism
became degraded to regimental loyalty which particularly suited the clan
structure of Celtic society. Now the English are destroying that form
which they have exploited for centuries and are converting into a
pro-national grievance. Whom the gods wish to destroy they first make
mad. In this case nature has forestalled them.
It is only when our
nationality is openly recognised that we meet other people on equal
terms. Otherwise we feel subconsciously inferior to them and compensate
for that inferiority by our stupid arrogance. ("Here’s tae
us!")
If a man were a purely
rational animal he would be contemptible - without courage, loyalty,
unselfishness, or any of the other virtues (which are all irrational).
Reason is the steering wheel (or the brake) while emotion is the motive
power, without which we remain stationary.
Thirty years ago when Scottish Nationalism was in
danger of being forgotten, I adopted the device of carrying on long and
violent discussions with myself in the local press. One of them came to
an abrupt end when some third person (or, rather, second person)
intervened to thank his God publicly for having proved to the world (via
the Barrhead News) that Scotland could produce a man like "Ancient
Briton" to "show Oliver Brown what an idiot he is."
I much prefer insults to compliments because I never
doubt the sincerity of an insult. |
