St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1901-01-23

To US. who find it difficult to stand
outside and to consider events in their
true proportion. the period seems like a
grand triumphal march. To those OF us
who can remember English life as it was
in the forties. the changes that have
fallen upon the country are nothing
short OF a transformation. We are
transformed indeed; we no longer think
as we did; our daily manners and Gus
toms are changed our views OF things
are changed; from peer to peasant we
are one and all transformed. And no
one regrets the change; the younger folk,
| indeed, do not understand it; they have
bt en- born in the later Victorian period {;
to their minds things have always been
as they are.
Mere figures go for nothing. That is
to say, very few people can realize mil.
lions or can understand what they mean.
II set down few it is for the sake Of
defining what would otherwise seem
vague assertion. For instance propose
a broad statement that during this long
period there has arisen in the national
mind such spirit OF enterprise, endeavor
and achievement, as has no parallel in
our history except in the reign of Queen
Elizabeth. Now, as then, the people
have been restless; it is a strange quality
in our AngIo-Saxon race that from time
so time we become restless; this restless
ness has shown itself in colonization, in
emigration, in research, in discovery, in
invention-in changes of every kind
GREAT BRITAINs GROWTH.
As for figures then: The actual in
crease in the area of the British Empire
during the last sixty years has been
about three and a half millions OF square
miles; but, since mere hill and PLAIN do
not make country richer, it is well to
add that this area is peopled by at least
eight millions, whom we are gradually
civlizing. Apart from this extension
there has been created, absolutely Gre
ated out OF nothing, new populations
of four millions in Australia, and nearly
a million in New Zealand, with noble
cities which tor the splendor of their
buildings and the excellence OF their gov
eminent may stand beside the finest
cities OF the Old World. In fact, there
have arisen four great nations-Canada,
Australia, South Africa, and New Zea-
land-any of which must in the nature
of things become, nominally as we'll as
actually, sovereign and independent.
To my mind this is the most important
political event of the century. The
great problem of the immediate future
will no longer be the preservation OF
those states under the Union Jack, but
the preservation of friendship and
alliance Of all tour, with the Mother
Country first and with each other next.
Let it be the greater glory of this reign
to lay the foundation OF such an alliance;
let US establish the beginnings of a senti-
ment, based upon common language,
common origin, common institutions,
such as may make enmity between any
two of these new countries impossible.
A lew more figures; We have lost, Of
our own people, ten millions by emigra-
ton. Yet we have advanced from
twenty-five to forty millions. In 1887
railways were only just beginning; there
are now over twenty thousand miles in
these islands. The carrying power OF
our shipping has increased from three
millions of tons to twenty-seven millions.
Our textile manufacturers hayeincreast
fourold; our foreign trade skiold.
This is enough of figures. They will al
ford at least, even though they are not
fully grasped, an idea OF progress which
is astonishing and unprecedented.
NOT PEACEFUL REIGN.
We have not achieved and maintained
the extension of empire without war. 1t
cannot be said that the reign of Queen
Victoria has been peaceful. 1t can, how
ever, be said that her armies have main.
tanned their ancient honor. We have
carried on wars all over the world. We