Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1905 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XVII. THE FUTURE EMPIRE. Politically unknown a hundred years ago, known fifty years ago only as a petty State formed out of dissimilar and often jarring elements, tolerated because of the common jealousy of the Powers, but liable to have her independence swept away the moment that jealousy was quelled or crushed, Belgium is to-day a nation, firm and close-knit, relying on herself for her independence, possessed in reality of all the attributes of greatness, and standing on the threshold of assured empire. Amidst the rush and swirl of the nineteenth century, with its wondrous advances and its appalling retrogressions, its scientific glory, its shame of festering crime and misery, the steady evolution of the Belgian nation shines out a fact most full of promise for patriotic and peace-loving men. Of all the States of Europe, Belgium deserves empire most, for she, alone amongst them, is the one that proves undisputed empire to be possible by the free and willing union under one crown of races differing in language and in blood. Looking at the existing empires of Europe, torn as every one of them is at the present moment by the internal dissensions of the races which form them, and whose union would make their strength greater than fleets or armies ever could alone, even the most ardent imperialists might be forced to believe that the political union of races is impossible without the domination of one of the races over the others and the crushing down of the others' national inspirations, were not Belgium there to prove the contrary. Belgium, however, proves conclusively that racial independence and national union are not only possible, but that in them lies the power of successful empire at the present time. While proud empires...