The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-03-01
Nineteenth Century Achievements-tiistory.

From historical point of view there notable
respects which this surpasse all its predecessors
Throughout world great changes taken place since
1900 startling have been naugurated In
Europe feudasm practically disappeared in
Russia and Turkey constitutional government has taken
the place of the despotic regime of the Middle Ages The
uheava Of society of which this was the fruit began
the last century, when after struggle that stirred the
entire world French Republic into being and the
turmoil did until the close of the Napoleonic wars
This republican movement preceded in the western
world by the American Revolution, and followed by
which led the establishment of republics in
other parts of the world These events mark new
distinct epoch in history.
then that the idea Of repubicansm, Of dem
ocracy took firm root in the western world much TO the
disnay of the hdebound conservatives who had been
taught believe divinity of That democracy
however idle dream America clearly show
ing and not long before the progressive French ma
decided that they had had enough of kings and
emperors and that they would themselves the
Americans dons They could not forget the glorious
days of the revolution
When France was glorious and blood red, fair
With dust of battles and deaths Of kings,
A queen of men, with helrneted hair.
and even the gamor of Napoeons personality could not
convince they would enjoy prosperity under
king emperor than they would under government
which had liberty, equality and fraternity as its watch
words.
Meanwhile, the other republic beyond the the
greatest republic of all time growing fast into
hood and it continued rapidly in all directions
now the century. it takes rank
of the leading powers Especially during the last
years progress been unparalleled The fleets
of Spain have been vanquished by it, and colo
Spain held for have been wresed
conceal her surprise at these successive victories nor at
lesson which they taught hernaney that in all future
questions affecting Asatic trade and colonization the
United States must henceforh be regarded as an important
factor.
And the time was ripe for such lesson Nothing dur
ing century more remarkable than the in
China Japan brought under western
influences Commodore Perry the first to reveal to the
world the great wealth of Japan In China there were
few treaty ports at the beginning of the century but
China had little intercourse with Europe America until
comparatively recent years Now however all the great
in
there practically boundless field for trading purposes
and as result the leading powers of Europe are ranng
obtain predOminance in this direction
What the fate Of the empire will be it is hard to say The
foot of the foreigner firmly planted Chinese ter
rory and, if judge from the present policy of
Great Britain Russia and Germany this will be the center
of commercial rivalry for to In this
test the United States will be able to- compete with
singular advantage for the that it viii have the
Philippines a basis of operations
OF equal if of greater, significance historical
event is the advance which the great of Europe
have been making in Africa during the last half century
Before that time this vast continent practically terra
ncognta Europeans whereas there colonies of
ton being England, Germany and France 1t
like Livingstone and Stanley who rendered this work posi-
bic. They in the first champions of civza
ton in this dark continent, and if Africa becor
truly civilized thanks win be mainly due the brave
plorers who opened pathway for European commerce.
and European intelligence
The centurys' changes be enumerated in brief
review like this they surely need not since they
known TO every one How Germany was shaped into an
empire, how England added to her colonies achieved
military prestige than field how Italy fought
for liberty how Ireland fight for self govern
ment how France shook off the trammels of royalty and
Imperialism and gecame a free republic how Spain lost
Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippines, how Russia ad
vanced beyond her territory into lands which
former Muscovites knew nCthingthese facts which
every intelligent schoolboy knows ought
Liberty and expansion may truly be said to be the
wachwOrds of the century, and it is fidelity these prnc
pies that has enabled of the greatest earth
Britain their lofty
position the nations. No countries have made
progress than these only their
resources but also because they have been
to the signs of the times and to shape their plans
corngly Notable too has been the progress of Germany
and Russia Over Germany rules yet the idea
of liberty fourshes, and the KaiseTs desires often
thwarted. over Russia Car rules, and like immed
ancestors he is still the greatest autocrat Europe
The form of government despoc yet the people enjoy
liberty than their forefathers enjoyed.
her ransSiberian project other
European countries while only Spain has refrigerated
marked degree hardly any of them advanced to
higher rank Mighty in is the conglomerate en-
pire of Austria and there persons who
pect great things OF Italy In comparison with their
fortunate neghbor however their advance has been slight
which doubtless inevitable Of their geo
graphical position.
Nowhere is the centurys watchword loudly heard
than in France and nowhere strenuous efforts
being made practise the principles which it teaches
What France has done in the direction expansion
colonies show and that liberty is with word
the peTInanence Of the republic shows.