196 NA TIONA L GRO WTH A ND NA TIONA L CHA RA CTER 



South American republics have taken shape or are still coming 

 up through successive essays in which grinding despotism con- 

 stantly diminishes, while the bloodshed of the revolutions as 

 constantly decreases ; even the somber isle of the Antilles, Haiti, 

 is essaying republican law and order. Beyond the Atlantic, 

 France has seized and still clings to republicanism, despite the 

 disposition toward despotism in which two-thirds of her sons 

 more easily rest; while progressive Britain has grasped the sub- 

 stance of altruistic government through a thin shadow of con- 

 servatism brightened by personal affection for the most gracious 

 sovereign the world has seen. Other nations are treading the 

 path surveyed by Britain's eldest-born — that path along which, 

 under nature's law of progress, the parent must follow the child. 



The earlier episodes in the building of the American nation 

 marked an era in the making of the human world ; they are 

 accordingly of the most profound and far-reaching significance. 

 Other episodes followed in turn ; but these (unless the events 

 of this year 1899 be otherwise adjudged) have been episodes in 

 national history merely. 



The second full chapter in American history records the acquisi- 

 tion of the vast territory of Louisiana and Oregon, an acquisition 

 through which the national area was more than doubled, while 

 dominion was extended to the Pacific coast of the continent. 

 This extension was not an easy one — indeed it was our boldest 

 essay in areal growth, with the sole exception of that original 

 stroke through which the transmontane and cis-Mississippi ter- 

 ritory was taken. The difficulties encountered by the nation in 

 making this essa}' were enhanced by a certain conservatism on 

 the part of the Chief Executive of the time. True, President 

 Jefferson was scholar and scientist as well as statesman, and had 

 projected an exploring expedition through the Louisiana terri- 

 tory even before its acquisition ; true, this expedition was dis- 

 patched in accordance with his plans even before the purchase 

 was consummated, and resulted in fixing title to Oregon as 

 gained through earlier discovery and later settlement; yet the 

 President and his advisers held back from the bargain of a mil- 

 lion square miles of adjacent territory for a bagatelle until they 

 were forced to the mark by many conditions, including an incip- 

 ient revolution on the part of the people. This popular move- 

 ment, more significant than any presidential polic}% was an 

 expression of growing national character, itself the product of 



