2886948The Future of England — 11. Our Final FutureArthur George Villiers Peel

CHAPTER XI

OUR FINAL FUTURE

England, then, has led the modern world in freedom first, and next, in industrialism. With us, the former gave birth to the latter movement, which, with all its imperfections and with all its promise, is as yet but half-way. Putting aside those who would take advantage of its imperfections for unwise and even revolutionary ends, we shall see to it that its promise is fulfilled, and that its essential purpose, a prosperity fairly and generally diffused, is finally accomplished.

Yet, beyond this prospect, another is opening before us. To-day, science asks to be the partner of policy. It says, with an ever-increasing weight, that the care of the individual, the cure of the race, the culture of mind and body, the provision of health in its widest meaning, are the most urgent work of domestic statesmanship. The masses, to whom the twentieth century will belong, will ask for nothing less of nationality than to be free, prosperous, and well.

But England is not only a nation to herself, she is also a part of Christendom. So the second great issue for England is what part she shall play in the West. Shall she stand, as far as possible, in abeyance, or shall she adopt a more active role? There is no doubt that she will take the latter decision.

The reason necessitating this is that it is far too dangerous to act otherwise. For the nations will infallibly combine to penalise us, if we are bent on malingering in Europe. And besides, we have an urgent interest of our own in that quarter, to see to it that they abate their suicidal animosities. For, on the death of nationality, we might have Cæsarism back, and we want no more Cæsars.

But, Christendom being but a fraction of the whole, we have to consider our future in the world outside it, and it is here that England approaches her highest end, and the consummation of her destiny.

Entrusted with a fifth of the human species, she has given them trade first, and then order, and next prosperity. Yet they will not be satisfied even with all these things. So, last of all, with slow and due precaution, she will give them, too, nationality within the safe bounds of Imperialism. For she wants their friendship above all things, and she reckons that she will be justified of her faith in the long event.

She looks to the distant hour, when the princes and peoples of India, and the princes and peoples of Africa in their train, shall share to the full in the Imperial partnership.

The world of our day is thus darkened and oppressed by three evils which civilisation must remedy, or go down. Within each nation, labour is at odds with life. Within the wider orbit of Christendom, there is the standing disgrace of national animosities. Lastly, co-extensive with the globe itself, is the wide estrangement of the White, the Black, the Brown, and the Yellow races.

To lead the world in combating, and even in overcoming, these evils, is the Future of England.