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Show Great Nations Destroyed by Drink. The great empires of antiquity might still h-ive been flourishing but for certain destructive agencies cherished within their own bosoms. Babylon was conquered not so much by the arms of the Medes - nd Persians as by drunkenness ami revelry. Had it not been for the debauchery of her king and princes, and the general effemi nancy of her people, she might long have reared iier lofty brcv among the nations with her hanging gardens and fair palaces the admiration admira-tion and delight of all beholdeis. Persia Per-sia fell not so much ihe energy and valor of the Greek armies as by the drunkenness of her kings and people. Had it not been for this, that wonderful wonder-ful people might stiil have been a power in the world. Greece in her turn fell, not so much by her rro.vess of the Roman arms as by her own discord and effeminacy. Save for this, Athens, in art, science and manners, might still have been the world's wonder and example. ex-ample. Rome fell, not so much by the hordes of Goths, Huns and Vandals descending upon her plains and assaulting assault-ing her cities as by the careless ease and sottish indifference of her people. Wine and spoil took away the heart of that empire and unnerved its mighty army. But for this. Rome, from her .seven hills, might still have been controlling con-trolling the dstin'es of the world, or at last leading in the van of nations. Irish World. |