The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-01-03
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1900.
a1,ETHr, ENGLISH DECaDENT2


J. "A cable dispatch sent out from London
last Sunday states that in view of the
reperses English arms have been suffer
ing in South Africa a number of English
newspapers are discussing the question,
"a. the English nation decadento"
If our English friends could only be got
to look at this case just as it is they
.would not need to ever ask themselves
this question. Never has the English SOL
der shown to better advantage than in
South Africa The very best traits the
people have ever had have been larishly
displayed IN the course Of the campaign
When the officers of a nations army
scorn to seek any sort of protection In
battle, when It could be had. but stana
up in full exposure to the enemy's fire,
merely because tradition of their army
requires 1t, and are shot down as fast
is they appear, that nation has no need to
ask IL her people are decadcnt; they VIII
defend her honor and her interests when
ever either is at stake. The heroic spirit
which arlirnates her officers may not be
as ABUNDANT IN the ranks as in
the officers. bu. 1t Is there In
measurable proportion. That sort OF
spirit is not confined to one class in n
people. If it IS IN the people at all. 1t
perrades al classes, though it may be
stronger in some than it is in others.
The trouble with our British friends is
that their conservatism makes them the
slowest people to learn new ways ana
abandon old ones of any people that ever
existed on the earth. Because no infan-
try could withstand charge of their in
fantry in an open field one hundred years
ago. they fondly cling to their tradition
and think that their infantry can stu
march in the open over any difficulty thai
comes in their way But the long range
magazine rifle has changed all that and
has made ii "a physical ilnpossibility for
infantry in the open 10 attack protected
men.
Our British cousins have no need,to ask
themselves il they are decadent- They
are more v;rile to-day than they ever
were What they need it TO have their
Generals taught the inevitable methods
of warfare with the modern long range
gun. and then they will find that their
soldiers VIII do all in battle that they,
formerly did.
In this connection we print elsewhere
4 poem just published by Labouchere
upon the text Where is the flag OF Eng
land?" ard a reply to it by Rudyard
Kipling. We are compelled 10 admit that
while we ere as entirely out of sympathy
with the inspiration OF Labouchere's
poem as it Is possible to be. yet his verses
are fer more vigorous and inspiring than
Y.pl.nss reply. Labouchere's text is that
+ The naercenary spiri. carries Eng!and's
flag to every quarter where murder and
oppression can secure her dollar. Kip
,;ng's reply ds nothing but an enlargement
Of I.abouchere's text. 1t Is srea; bras
i over the number of quarters in the world
x6ere Eng.ands flag IS planted. That is
mot the answer that should have been
made. 1t should have been said that II,
in the clash OF arms. during many CEN
.ur.es England had planted her nag In
land after land, that was an incident OF
st.afe and an inevitable one. But so to
xhat land Sou will, and If you find the
English nag you vii! see justice dInpar-
tsa1ly administered. the trlest OF the
Christian religion taught. all men stand
anr upon a footing Of equality. ana each
man with the same opportunity to an
nrore his condition In life that any other
man has. That Is what follows in the
track of the English bullet ana nag,
Z however III may be advanced from coun'
try to country. and Gods VIII Is being
& 7woraeed wherever the English flag goes.
- IS -
AGoOD NEW YEARS SERMON.
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