FYI. Goldwater gives the credit for the origins of this phrase to Professor Harry Jaffa, of the Claremont College in California. "It is the paraphrase of a speech by the Roman Senator, Marcus Tullius Cicero, while speaking in defense of the Rome's rule and honor against the Patrician, Lucius Sergius Catilina, who was considered dangerous to Rome".
The quotation was: "I must remind you - Lords, Senators - that extreme patriotism is in defense of freedom is no crime, and let me respectfully remind you that pusillanimity in the pursuit of justice is no virtue in a Roman".
Ref: "Goldwater" by Barry M. Goldwater, 1988, page 186.
An accomplished poet, philosopher, rhetorician, and humorist, Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 BC-43 BC) was also the greatest forensic orator Rome ever produced. But to Cicero, service to the res publica (literally, "the public affair") was a Roman citizen's highest duty. At age 26 (in 80 BC), he successfully defended a man prosecuted unjustly by a crony of the bloodthirsty dictator Sulla. In 69 BC, he brought to order the corrupt Sicilian governor Verres. As consul in 63 BC, he put down the Catilinarian conspiracy; later, he was sent into exile for refusing to join the First Triumvirate. Late in life, he led the Senate's gallant but unsuccessful battle against Antony, for which he paid with his life on 7 December 43 BC.
REF: www.gracie.smsu.edu/cicero.htm
I like to think that Barry Goldwater came from a long line of "Patriotic Conservatives".
Regards and thanks for the postings.
Buck.
I had heard that about the origin of the phrase as well. I might even have the original in my archive somewhere. I'll have to look. Thanks for the reference.