The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-12-01
Englaud's Decay.


Years ago a great writer said "the
world is saturated with English crime
and can hold no more" and the war
with the Beers seems to justify the
prediction that the words imply, says
the American Herald, of New York.
He that runs can read "the handwrit-
ing on the wall" England has been
weighed in the balance and found
wanting. She has within her the seeds
of ruin, and without there is no nation
that fears her, and, with the exception
Of Italy, none that values her friend
ship. England has had her day. If
we read history by the light which the
prophets of Scripture throw upon it,
we shall find that nations and coun-
tries have been generally punished in
the very point on which they most
prided themselves, and on which they
relied for security and pcrmanence.
Ancient Babylon boasted of the
greatness of its city, and the
strength of its walls and towers. But
it was this very fancied security that
led to it's destruction, and it lies now
n heap of ruins. forsaken and forgot
ten. Tyre Of old reveled in luxury
and riches that were brought to it
from all parts of the world. And
where now is Tyre? 1t is only bare
rock, and drying place for nets in
the midst of the sea. There is moth
ing in which England has glorified it.
self more than in its commercial prop
erty, and the wealth that by this
means has been brought into it. We
may gaze with establishment at the
multitude of vessels that fill English
harbors and line the coasts of Eng
land, and the succession of stately
buildings, like palaces, prepared to-
receive the riches brought together
from every country of the world.
Then we may turn to the interior of
the land and behold the immense
structures, the crowds of people, the
busy lines of traffic, all devoted to the
production and diffusion of everything
that may minister to mans ease or
pleasure. And infiamed from so many
sources we may see luxury and pride,
and the love of show on the increase
among all classes of people.
Pride is the prevailing characteristic
Of Englishmen. 1t has led them to
think and boast that England is better
and wiser and stronger than other na
able to roar. but no nation minds it's
boasting and clustering. In Ireland,
India and Egypt; England is tyrant,
but when the United States tells her
to keep her hands Off this continent
she simply protests
England has lost her place among
nations, and even Russia taunts her
with her defenscless condition and
calls her second Carthage The pos
sibility of an invasion of India is a
source of great agitation in England,
and well may it be so, for whoever
deals England blow there sounds her
deathknell. England's immense trade
in the east is entirely dependent on
her possession of Hindoostan. The
army of England is many times less
than those of the continental powers,
and to make up for this she has devel-
oped gigantic fleet, on the strength
of which alone she continues to have
an important voice in European af-
fairs. Her policy and that Of her
statesmen is purely one Of calculation
and profit, and she sticks at nothing
when her interests are at stake. She
commits the most inhuman crimes, and
never hesitates to outrage every hui
manitarian principle in order to pur-
sue her interested aims, although she
continues to wear the mask of friend
of humanity. She was on the side of
slavery in the American civil war; she
helps today Turkeyto keep the eastern
Christians under oppression; she has
today brought Ireland to the verge Of
ruin, and she has robbed and but
chered the Beers. Victoria will be the
last monarch OF England, and on the
ruins of the British empire will be
raised three or four republics.