doctrine easy, and
started English a long way towards becoming the universal language,
while all formerly unoccupied land is now owned by those speaking it.

"At the close of our civil war, in 1865, we had but 3,000,000 square
miles, and a population of 34,000,000. The country staggered beneath a
colossal debt of over $4,000,000,000, had an expensive but essentially
perishable navy, and there was an ominous feeling between the sections.
The purchase of Alaska in 1867, by which we added over half a million
square miles to our territory, marked the resumption of the forward
march of the United States. Twenty-five years later, at the
presidential campaign of 1892, the debt had been reduced to
$900,000,000, deducting the sinking fund, and the charge for pensions
had about reached its maximum and soon began to decrease, though no one
objected to any amount of reward for bona fide soldiers who had helped
to save the country. The country's wealth had also enormously
increased, while the population had grown to 65,000,000. Our ancestors
had, completed or in building, a navy of which no nation need be
ashamed; and, though occasionally marred by hard times, there was
general prosperity.

"Gradually the different States of Canada--or provinces, as they were
then called--came to realize that their future would be far grander and
more glorious in union with the United States than separated from it;
and also that their sympathy was far stronger for their nearest
neighbours than for any one else. One by one these Northern States
made known their desire for consolidation with the Union, retaining
complete control of their local affairs, as have the older States.
They were gladly welcomed by our Government and people, and possible
rivals became the best of friends. Preceding and also following this,
the States of Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America,
tiring of the incessant revolutions and difficulties among themselves,
which had pretty constantly looked upon us as a big brother on account
of our maintenance of the Monroe doctrine, began to agitate for
annexation, knowing they would retain control of their local affairs.
In this they were vigorously supported by the American residents and
property-holders, who knew that their possessions would double in value
the day the United States Constitution was signed.

"Thus, in the first place, by the encouragement of our people, and
latterly, apparently, by its own vo