Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-29
The Closing Century Has Been One
Of Changes.
A TURNING POINT IN HISTORY
Age Of Scientific Investigation and
Practical Application.
ADDING TO MANS COMFORT
Copyright, 1900, by G. TORY


teenth century must be looked upon as a
turning point in the history of the world.
In material achievement it has surpassed
every century that preceded it; 1t has been
an age of scientific investigation and discov-
cry, followed al once by practical applica-
ton to the uses of man; age of marvel
Gus mechanical inventions, which have COM
pletely changed the habits they have
added Immensely to the powers of mankind,
an age of unparalleled expansion in terri
tory and increase in numbers for the white
races which have been the bearers Of civil
eaton. The temperate regions of the globe,
on the American continent in Australia and
New Zealand, in southern Africa, in north
ern ASIA save only in the extreme east, are
all In the white mans hands. and all, too, in
his sole possession, for the sparse native
population has everywhere died away at his
approach. He alone has the land on which
to multiply and develop, and science may
yet give him the power to master the eli
mate of the tropical regions he has seized
upon.
In this new conquest of the world the first
and most marked factor has been the
growth and development of the United
States Of America. the spread Of its free in
situations and their reaction on the political
system of western Europe The young con-
federacy, with its 5000, OG0 inhabitants be-
tween the Alleghen.es and the sea, shut Off
from the Gulf of Mexico, and with the
Mississippi for Its western boundary, has
become in hundred years a compact ma
ton of I6.0OO,UOO souls, stretching from
ocean to ocean, equal in strength and re-
sources to any European power, with every
prospect of becoming within a measure BILE
time equal to all Europe combined. The
growth has been rapid. steady and I'M
checked. In the half century Of bondage
to absolute governments in which the great
er part Of Europe was held for half the
American republic, the sole example of
peaceful government by free people
served to keep alive the hope Of liberty N
the old world.
Following Our Example.
The frame Of government, devised to
hold together weak and disjointed col
onies, proved adequate for all the needs
of a great nation. 1t became !Inpossi-
bic to keep out the liberties demonstrated
to be beneficial. and now all western Eu-
rope enjoys in substance representative
government, freedom Of speech, freedom of
the press. equality before the law, freedom
to migrate, public education. religious toll
GRAFTON, popular suffrage and the right for
every one to pursue any suitable calling,
regardless Of class or sex. None Of it's
hereditary rulers can regard his power
seriously as derived from divine right, but
must base 1t on the viii Of the people and
the observance of a constitution.
The century began with the destruction
by the United States navy Of one historic
sham. the power of the Barbary pirates
whose molestations Europe content
to put up with long after their power for
harm was gone. 1t ends with the crush
Ing by the same navy of another decrepit
historic survival, the remnant OF SPANS
colonial power. In the interval the po.iti-
cal events of lasting consequence are few.
The purchase of Louisiana in 1903, through
the foresight of Thomas jefferson, doubled
IL.
the western bounds to settlement and left
the path open to the Pacific ocean. The
later purchases and cessions from Spain
and Mexico removed the barriers to the
gule and made sure the extension to the
Pacific. the control of which is now
cured by the possession of Hawaii and
the Philippines. When Spains oppressed
colonies shook off the yoke and removed
from the hemisphere the second power that
might prove dangerous. President Monroe's
declaration. that the American continents
therc eforth were not to be considered sub
jects for future colonization by any Eu-
ropean power sufticed to secure non-inter-
ference with the affairs Of the United
States and to save South America from
the fate Of Africa. The war Of 1872 with
England made clear the necessity Of home
manufactures and fastened the industrial
development Of the country. The great
civil war put an end to the causes of dis
sension of half a century by deciding that
the Union of the states Is indissoluble and
abclishing black slavery: President Lin
coins emanc,pa ton proclamation. followed
soon by Gar Alexander IFS liberation OF
the Russian serfs. marks the end OF slave
holding by white men.
Rise of Nations.
Europe saw the rapid extension and more
rapid fall of Napoleon's empire. The ter
ror inspired by him and by the revolution
from which he sprang led to general re-
preston OF freedom by the governments Of
the continent. from which France managed
to escape in 1880, but central Europe not
till well In the latter half of the century.
in spite Of the momentary outbreak of 1S4S.
A new theory Of nationality, that those
speaking the same language should be
Joined in one country. sprang up and was
carried into effect by the union OF Italy
into q new nation in 1860 The same idea
led to the absorption of the smaller states
Of Germany into the new German empire
under Prussia's hegem ny, formed after
the defeat of France in 1871 The idea IL at
work in the Slavic lands. and has taken
ton among the colonies Of Great Britain,
and in Germany's desire to hold together
her former subjects who have emigrated
The formation Of the new German empire
and its rise to a power OF the hrs1 ra1
has been accompanied by an astonishing
commercial and industrial development. 1t
has led, too, to the establishment of com
pulsory military service for all by tbs. MI
lions on the Continent Germany debated
greed for foreign colonies, like that OF
France, could be gratified only in tropical
lands Great Britain had already takel.
the pick Of the earth.
The pre- eminence in commerce and tie
start in manufactures which Great Britain
had at the beginning Of the Napoleonic
wars 1t has retained, throughout The Gen.
fury. The change from wooden sailing yes
sells to iron steamships came when the
United States, her chief competitor, was
busy with the civil war; and neither the
British iron vessels nor the steel vessels
that have taken their place have been
caught up with. With her manufactures
she has controlled the markets Of the world,
but at the nd Of the century she has eager
rivals who are fast overhauling her Dur
ing the century she has not only strength
ened her hold on her rich empire in India.
but her sons have succeeded in settling and
developing the great Canadian and austria
liam colonies. Remembering the lesson of
1776 she has conceded to them substantial
independence.
The Riddle of the Century.
Russia the riddle of the beginning, Is
still the riddle Of the end of the century.
Europe is not yet all Cossack, but the dan
ger seems as great as it did to Napoleon.
In the last fifty years Russia's progress in
Asia has been amazing. She has overrun
ceptral Assa tn the Chinese boun6ary and