Probabilities Considered.
The United States—what are they? Two
hundred years ago, this question could not have been
answered; it could not even have been asked. Now
it can be answered by the dwellers in every quarter
of the globe. Then a few small settlements of
earnest men, flying from the religious intolerance
of the Old World, dotted a narrow strip of coast line
on our New England border. Now a mighty nation,
with a vast expanse of territory stretching from ocean
to ocean, and from regions almost arctic on the north
to regions equally torrid on the south, embracing more
square leagues of habitable land than Rome ruled over
in its palmiest days, here holds a position of independence
and glory among the nations of the earth.
And the sound of this new nation has gone into all
the world. It has reached the toiling millions
of Europe; and they are swarming to our shores to
share its blessings. It has gone to the islands
of the sea; and they have sent their contributions.
It has reached the Orient, and opened as with a password
the gates of nations long barred against intercourse
with other powers; and China and Japan, turning from
their beaten track of forty centuries, are looking
with wonder at the prodigy arising across the Pacific
to the east of them, and catching some of the impulse
which this growing power is imparting to the nations
of the earth.
Less than one hundred years ago, with three millions
of people, the United States became an independent
government. It has now a population of thirty-eight
and a half millions of people, and a territory of three
and a half millions of square miles. Russia alone
exceeds this nation in these particulars, having forty
millions more of people, and four millions more square
miles of territory. Of all other nations on the
globe whose laws are framed by legislative bodies elected
by the people, Brazil, which has the largest territory,
has not quite three millions of square miles; and
France, the most populous, has not probably, considering
her late reverses and misfortunes, a greater number
of inhabitants than our own country. So that
in point of territory and population combined, it
will be seen that the United States now stand at the
head of the self-governing powers of the earth.
Occupying a position altogether unique, this government
excites equally the astonishment and admiration of
all beholders. The main features of its history
are such as have had no parallel since the distinction
of nations existed among men.
1. No nation ever acquired so vast a territory
in so quiet a manner.
2. No nation ever rose to such greatness by so
peaceable means.
3. No nation ever advanced so rapidly in all
that constitutes national strength and capital.
4. No nation ever rose to such a pinnacle of
power in a space of time so incredibly short.
