PROBLEMS IN ROMAN HISTORY 85 



ately smaller than the Ionian and the Tyrrhene seas were once for 

 the Athenians navigating toward Syracuse, and for the Romans 

 fighting against Carthage. 



Greece and Rome had in the Mediterranean a position which 

 recalls, in part, the interoceanic situation of the United States. 

 They transmitted successively to the West the civilization received 

 from the East, and the United States are already called to take great 

 part in the transformation of the yellow races. 



The economic and social foundation of the Romans was based 

 on slavery; you, instead, have freed the negro from bondage. But 

 the complete participation of the latter in your political counsels 

 constitutes one of the greatest problems which you are called to 

 solve. And it will be all your glory if you shall find a better solution 

 than the ancient world. The immense development of your finances, 

 which seems fabulous to us old races, reminds one of the similar 

 enormous development during the Empire. You have the daring 

 and practical mind of the Romans, the greatness of their works, 

 and the firmness of their character. But the love for sciences and 

 arts protects you from the danger which threatens the plutocratic 

 societies. This love for science and art, which causes you to multiply 

 your universities, libraries, and museums, takes, however, its first 

 and more vital inspiration from that brilliant Greek civilization 

 which transfused itself into the Italian Renaissance. And while in 

 so many parts of Europe old forms of social organizations are still 

 living, you are, on the contrary, destined to maintain brighter than 

 ever the most luminous flame of the old Greek and Latin civilization. 



The cult of that freedom which you placed as a glorious symbol 

 just where the Atlantic touches your shores is an omen of unham- 

 pered enterprise and active life for all those who, coming to you from 

 distant countries, have the aspiration to share your community. 



The glorious history of your independence shines through the 

 greatness of Washington and Lincoln. You are worthy of continuing 

 the cult of Pericles, Timoleon, and Scipio; and permit me, to whom 

 you have given the great honor of speaking about the ancient civil- 

 ization of the land of Columbus, Amerigo, and Cabot, to recall here 

 my fellow citizen, Carlo Botta; only a few years after your war of 

 independence, the Piedmontese Carlo Botta was the first among 

 Italians to relate your history, glorifying the virtues of Washington, 

 and through your example endeavoring to stamp a seal of infamy 

 on the tyranny then reigning in Europe, and to spur the soul of his 

 citizens to the cult of freedom. 



