Year: 1870

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The centennial jubilee Of American inde-
pendence has not been celebrated yet. In the
short time that remains to complete the first
hundred years of our national existence we
win make still greater strides In the path
Of progress than any which have marked
our history In the past. We have but to
glance at our achievements hitherto and our
immense resources TO be convinced of this
Already the high position attained by the
United States as an important Power COM
mends it to the admiration of mankind. On
this Western Continent we have laid, firm as
the Rock of Ages, the foundation of system
of civilization whose beneficial influence is
rapidly extending over all the world Ameri-
can institutions have done more for the ame-
lioration Of humanity than those of all other
countries Of Christendom combined. The op-
pressed among all peoples turn their eyes toward
the setting sun and see In free America the
liberty for which they long, the prosperity for
which they toll and the peace for which they
pray. Firm as the Rock Of Ages the founda-
ton of this system is, we say, because it rests
on the eternal principle that the good of all the
people-the elevation and happiness Of hu-
manity-is the noblest sphere for activity,
human or divine. 1t was the glorious mission
of the Messiah and is the design Of the great
Creator who made man in His own image.
From thirteen sparsely settled. dependent
| colonies we have grown with remarkable
rapidity to be a united nation Of thirty
seven sovereign States and vast ter
ritorial acquisitions, having q total popu-
lation Of forty millions. Flourishing towns
and important cities have sprung up
in all the States In consequence of our internal
development and our commerce on the seas.
In less time than it has taken people in the
Old World to erect church edifce we have
built up powerful and progressive nation.
We have passed through protracted civil
war which made the inexhaustible resources
and the martial spirit of America known and
acknowledged everywhere. The alacrity and
ease with which the men who composed the
| splendid armies Of the North and South
returned to the peaceful pursuits of life when
the war was ended dazzled Europe even more
than the valor which both sides displayed
throughout the war. And now, when that
unhappy civil strife has ceased and its cause
has been removed forever, when the unfriendly
feelings which it fostered are fast dying out
and national harmony is being re-established
on sounder basis than it has ever stood,
when our national debt is being rapidly paid
off and increased prosperity is perceived
throughout the country, the peoples Of the
older civilizations look upon US with greater
| amazement than before. And so the tide Of
immigration is still setting toward our shores,
for even the poor and the ignorant appreciate
the glorious future that lies before the great
republic.


Since the completion Of the railroad across
the Continent especially tourists have been
focking hither every year to see the wonders
of the Western World. However high his
anticipations may be, no foreigner returns dis
appointed to his native land. Indeed, it is
invariably the case that the reality exceeds his
greatest expectations. He finds country Of
vast territorial limits, equally immense noun
tains, lakes and rivers, scenery which for
amazing grandeur or quiet beauty is elsewhere
unequalled, agricultural, pastoral and mineral
resources the extent of which even we our
selves scarcely yet appreciate, and a cosmo-
politan population actively engaged in promot-
ing the material development of the country
and the general welfare of all the people.
Everything he sees is on grander scale than
he had ever contemplated, and he is conscious
Of the existence here of elements which must
make the United States foremost among
nations.


In this connection we remark that no one can
witness the growing greatness of New York
without feeling forcibly impressed with the
idea that this Empire City is destined to be-
come the great cosmopolitan capital of the
world. New York has attractions which only
Paris equalled. The rapid increase Of wealth
among our Industrious and sagacious citizens
is seen by every casu al observer in the vast
number of permanent improvements. Broad
way for miles is lined with magnificent marble
buildings erected specially for business pur-
poses. But Broadway is only one of the thor
oughfares that indicate our commercial great
ness Other avenues and cross streets contain
rows of splendid wholesale and retail establish
ments Narrow streets are being widened
to make room for the enormous traffic.
New and substantial marble and iron struc-
lures are being erected in all quarters to
meet the demands of increasing business. A
host of hotels, large and luxurious, contribute
much to the beauty of the city and
the comfort of its visitors. Additional hotels
| are boinp built to accommodate the consta ntlv
increasing influx Of strangers. At every point
the eye is attracted by magnificent public insti-
tutions. The architectural taste displayed in
our public and private buildings shows great
j adu in that hra nch of RI