How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"Is there no American name connected with this discovery?" cried J.T. Maston, whose sentiments of national amour propre were very highly developed. (9.47)
No one is more patriotic than Maston. Here, he opposes using a piece of technology simply because no American contributed to its invention. You don't get much sillier than that—it would be like refusing to listen to Drake because you only like American rap.
Quote #8
"I maintain that the ground from which our glorious projectile will be discharged should belong to the Union." (11.9)
The Gun Club wants to ensure that America, and America alone, gets the credit for the moon mission. It's hard to blame them for this, but they seem to have forgotten about the project's significant international investment.
Quote #9
It recalled to his mind the monuments of Washington. To his mind there could be nothing more beautiful, not even in Greece, although […] he had never been there. (15.2)
At least Maston is aware of his patriotic double-standard. To be honest, we doubt he's ever left the country, but that doesn't stop him from claiming America's obvious superiority. Even his choice of "Greece" as the point of comparison is telling—much of American civil society is, to an extent, modeled after Greek systems. Oops.