The Washington times., 1901-07-07

born. but in the face Of the determined
opposition of the party from which the
Republican party mainly sprang. This
was one of the incidental results Of
the Mexican war.
So the acquisition Of Louisiana gave
to US an immense expanse Of our rich
est and most productive territory, and
this was a distinctively Democratic
measure. The mineral and agricultural
products of this vast territory are
among the most important elements
contributing To make up the agSrega te
of our national wealth. This is not in
tended as a partisan plea on behalf OF
Democratic policies. but merely as
counter TO the claim OF the Republi-
cans that they did it all, and further
10 bring out into bold relief the true
cause of our national greatness. With
out our practically Imiuess resources
no political party could have made the
country what it is.
This also sueS Sests serious defect
in the line of comparisons by which the
growth Of the country is emphas. zed.
How frequently we hear ii said that
starting a century or SO ago, we gain
ed upon the great nations of Europe
by leaps and bounds, finally passing
the richest of them with race horse
speed All of this is true. but what is
il that has enabled US 10 do it2 The
energy and intelligence of our people
have been important factors, but after
all it is the great area of our country
and the extent and variety of its Ie-
sources that lie at the foundation of
our national growth.
If the Republic Of today were con-
fined TO the original territory, large
though it was comparatively, we prob
ably would not now be the richest and
most productive country in the world.
\ cursory glance at map of the Uni
ted States viii show the truth of this
statement The increase of our ter
ritorial area has enabled US to furnish
homes, without crowding, to many mil
lions Of immigrants, and the new Ter
ritory supplies the major portion of
our great export agricultural staples
notably cotton and wheat. The Uni
ted States, excluding Alaska, is, rough
" speaking. twenty-five times the size
of Great Britain, fifteen times the size
of France. and twelve times the size
of Germany. Hence we have had very
much more room for growth than they
have, and our increase has been corre-
spondingly more rapid.
We may observe the same thing by
considering separate portions Of our
own country. Take Massachusetts as
an example At the time Of the Revo-
luton that State contained approXi-
mately one-siXth Of the population, and
perhaps one-fourth of the wealth of
the country: but it does not do it now.
The growth of the Old Bay State has
been very satisfactory, but, neverthe-
less, she now represents not more than
a twentieth part of our aggregate pop
ulation, and, perhaps, not very much
more than that proportion of the ma
tons actual wealth. 1t is not to be
supposed that there viii be the same
material growth, either actual or rela-
tive. in a small and densely populated
State that viii take place in a ter
ritory four hundred times as large, pre-
senting almost every variety of climate,
soil. and production.
For precisely the same reason, only
in lesser degree, the United States is
bound to outstrip the comparatively
small nations OF the Old World. Rus
sia is the only one Of them that ap-
prCaches US in extent and resources. !
and. taking all things into considera-
ton. it Is doubtful if the whole Of Eu-
rope equals the United States in ma
turaI wealth. IN some OF the most i'm
portant elements of wealth, particu-
larry coal and iron, we know that our
country is far in the lead. 1t is our
great supply of these two minerals,
coupled with the abundance Of our raw
materials used in miscellaneous manu-
featuring, that has given US our pre-
eminence in this portion of the indus
trial field Not less important is the
fact that our agricultural resources
make US practically independent of the
rest of the world in the matter Of food
supply.
These are some Of the natural condi-
tions that have contributed TO cur mag
niGcent growth. and while it is not
improper for US TO take due credit TO
ourselves for our own contributions in
the way of industry, energy, and in
teIigence, we should neither be SO ar
rogant nor so unfair as to refuse TO
recognize what nature has done for US.