, 1880-04-07
TRUE AND FALSE IMPERIALISM.
from the SPECTATOR

WGGh Pio0Nof th0 Vi lUO OipSV' -
have no Intention of answ eriug the article, for
as to its main thesis we oar find no co~mon
standing-groupd. The Saturday Rev'ea0 as
serts, and doubtless believes, that ne Liberals
are anxious to give up British predonlinanee;
that they would stand neutral in the event or
any European war, and that they are, in tact,
Indifferent to the lofty position Gree. Britain
has Inherited in the wo:ld. We assert, ON the
contrary, that Liberals recognise the prepon-
derance of this country ia many Eegions-and
especially in Southern Asia-as one OF the
highest Of her functions that they would
light, on adequate cause shown, as ~determlaediy
as their adversaries and that the hegemony OF
England 10 the work OF civilization, which must
often be accompanied by the use OF force, Is
one of their most passionate aspirations, as
shown In practice by the determined vigour.
with which they accomplished the great feat ct
our century, the reoonques. of India in 1891.
Between disputants so convinced argument is
waste of time, but we wish to call attention to
two curious omissions which moderate Jingoe3
make when they ere quoting history in ilinstra-
ton ofstheir theory. They are very fond OF .ay-
ing that the British Empire is like the Roman,
and in some respects surpasses II, drawing
thence the deduction that England must en-
ploy Roman methods to maintain her sway
ard forget entirely that she did once employ
them, and thereby lost an empire more
valuable, though not more extensive, than that
che now possesses. Had North America re-
mained British under any system, even fedora
tion, the Euglish-spesking people would have
been at the top Of the world, the arbiters OF
tho human race, aud that this did not occur
was due, exclusively to the "Jipgoism" Of
George III. and the body Of the people. 1t
was Lord Chatham then who used tie language
Mr. Gladstone uses now, who protested against
a policy of mere violence, who sought to s1othe
rather than crush American malcOntents, and
who, but for Jing0ism, would haze saved to
this country the richest empire ever Won by
man. India is a great possession, and a
greater trust, but what is it worth as compared
with the American Provinces, which might
have been 10 loyalty, in resources, and in popu-
lasion g second Britain, united to the first by
indisgoiuble 'tiesq Imagine Queen Victoria
aoknowledg ed Queen also of North Amerlca !
1t was through precisely The same arrogance
Ahe same thirs. for a high-b4nded policy, the
same i~nso!snce Of demeanour which We fine IN
Jipgoe3 now, that We lest that "Orightest jewel
ofthe British Grown" The grandeur Of Britain
was the only thought Of the King and the
people, and neither reotitude ncr wisdom and
The most magnificent Of earthly realms was
finally thrown away.
And there is an empire, once great IS that
of Rome, Widespread as our own, which LIMOGES
never mention, but the history of which they
may study with endless profit. There never
was az empire greater, or richer, or more cal
culated to predominant in the world, than that
of Spain. It seemed probable, when Philip IL.
was at bis height of power, that he might bs-
come the Universal Emperor. All America,
from the Mississippi southwark to Patagonia,
belonged to him,-was, in fact, his India and
in Europe, bis position was comparatively far
greater than our own. His flag was l%oftiest
on all seas. lis resources in money We're far
beyond those of any two States. He was
served with a devotion which knew no limit,
by an army composed of the finest Infantry in
Europe; by officers, civil as well as military,
who had no rivals in ability by a party in
France, The Catholic Leaguers, stronger than
the Throne; by thrse-fourths of the keenes:
brains the great Catholic Church could put OF
his disposal. lie was as unfsttered by internal
opposition in Spain as the Jingoe3 wish Lord
Beacopsfeld to be. aud his policy was that Of
the true Jingoes, carried out steadily, relent-
slessly, and yet with a 6nesse which terrified all
Europe. He never sweryed, be mover finched.
and be never was betrayed. lie watched
everything, he heard everything, ard he stroEe
at every Court and in every country TO forward
she views and protect the ''iuterests" of the
great Spanish Empire. Bat in all things he
was determined on ruls ana predominance,
careless Of the dignity ard tie wishes and the
interests Of any race but his own determined
co sssert snnrauacy. Dredominaucs, every