The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1903-12-10
The French as
Empire Builders.


i empire it is today is due to Eng
land, and of all her sons to Gener-
al Give in particular. As matter Of
fact it was France that first directed
into right channels the to-be vast COM
merce of India. To be abls to bring to
successful issue work that has been
practically more than half finished by
another, is an honor; but at the same
time it is nothing to boast of. When
Give took command in India the
toughest work had already been per-
formed by France and it was practi-
caliy smooth sailing for him; and if he
initiated the policy of the French diplo-
mat Duplex, it only proves that if he
could successfully compete with the
French in the field, he could by no
means compete with them in dipl m
acy.
One of the peculiarities of the Brit
ish nation Is their ability to reap the
fruits of anether's labor. They never
have arrived at the summit of great
ness in any one thing by strenuous
work, but rather have let the other fell
low do the heavy stunt and they have
come on in the last act and got all the
credit. John Bull loves his ease and
his ale too we'll to do the heavy act, but
he is perfectly willing to receive the
applause. On the other hand wherever
any great undertaking is in progress,
France, Ike America, will always be
found in, the lead; but unlike America,
she has not the ability to stand pat.
Her weakness in that respect is her ruin.
1t was France that discovered Canada
and started the vast work of civiliZing
it amidst all the perils incident to a
new country, and to this day the trac-
ings of her work are visible. But tho
her SONS were loyal and true, as every
schoolboy knows England reaped the
benefit through the faults of the French
government. 1t is sad to contemplate
that where her sons have started out
to bring wealth and glory to their
country they have only brought ruin
and degradation to themselves.
The French as empire builders have
been utter failures not through any
fault of those doing the actual work
as for instance Duplex in. Indla-but.
through the blindness and folly of the
government. Among all the heroes of
French history none can equal the dt
votion and faithfulness of two of her
most illustrions sons during the cam
paign in India--I speak of Duplex the
diplomat and Count Lally- -Follendal
the soldier. It is well known that the
efforts made by Duplex would have
been crowned with success had he been
given the loyal support of his govern
ment that his devotion entitled him to.
His loyalty and unseifishness to gov
ernment that failed to appreciate
worth of the highest kind is rarely if
ever equaled. Ii he used underhand
means to.gain his object, it was only
natural under the circumstances. In
a country where craft, deceit and
sleight of hand IS practiced from the
cradle to the grave, where the most
insignificant person is an adept in all
the deceits and lntrigues known to the
Hindoos, can we blame him if he fought
fire with fire? That he was able to en-
rich his country is true beyond doubt,
but his work for years counted for
naught with a frivolous government.
After spending the best years of his
life to benefit his country, that country
upon the assertion of his rival, brought
tie unjust accusation against him Of
trying to sell India to the English.
Says one writer: He spent his fortune