a journey in other worlds-第6章
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〃With increased knowledge we are constantly coming to realize how
little we really know； and are also continually finding
manifestations of forces that at first seem like exceptions to
established laws。 This is； of course； brought about by the
modifying influence of some other natural law； though many of
these we have not yet discovered。
〃Electricity in its varied forms does all work； having superseded
animal and manual labour in everything； and man has only to
direct。 The greatest ingenuity next to finding new uses for this
almost omnipotent fluid has been displayed in inducing the forces
of Nature； and even the sun； to produce it。 Before describing
the features of this perfection of civilization； let us review
the steps by which society and the political world reached their
present state。
〃At the close of the Franco…Prussian War； in 1871； Continental
Europe entered upon the condition of an armed camp； which lasted
for nearly half a century。 The primary cause of this was the
mutual dislike and jealousy of France and Germany； each of which
strove to have a larger and better equipped national defence than
the other。 There were also many other causes； as the ambition of
the Russian Czar； supported by his country's vast though
imperfectly developed resources and practically unlimited supply
of men； one phase of which was the constant ferment in the Balkan
Peninsula； and another Russia's schemes for extension in Asia；
another was the general desire for colonies in Africa； in which
one Continental power pretty effectually blocked another； and the
latent distrust inside the Triple Alliance。 England； meanwhile；
preserved a wise and profitable neutrality。
〃These tremendous sacrifices for armaments； both on land and
water； had far…reaching results； and； as we see it now； were
clouds with silver linings。 The demand for hardened steel
projectiles； nickel…steel plates； and light and almost
unbreakable machinery； was a great incentive to improvement in
metallurgy while the necessity for compact and safely carried
ammunition greatly stimulated chemical research； and led to the
discovery of explosives whose powers no obstacle can resist； and
incidentally to other more useful things。
〃Further mechanical and scientific progress； however； such as
flying machines provided with these high explosives； and
asphyxiating bombs containing compressed gas that could be fired
from guns or dropped from the air； intervened。 The former would
have laid every city in the dust； and the latter might have
almost exterminated the race。 These discoveries providentially
prevented hostilities； so that the 'Great War；' so long expected；
never came； and the rival nations had their pains for nothing；
or； rather； for others than themselves。
〃Let us now examine the political and ethnological results。
Hundreds of thousands； of the flower of Continental Europe were
killed by overwork and short rations； and millions of desirable
and oftenunfortunately for usundesirable people were driven
to emigration； nearly all of whom came to English…speaking
territory； greatly increasing our productiveness and power。 As；
we have seen； the jealousy of the Continental powers for one
another effectually prevented their extending their influence or
protectorates to other continents； which jealousy was
considerably aided by the small but destructive wars that did
take place。 High taxes also made it more difficult for the
moneyed men to invest in colonizing or development companies；
which are so often the forerunners of absorption； while the
United States； with her coalof which the Mediterranean states
have scarcely anyother resources； and low taxes； which； though
necessary； can be nothing but an evil； has been able to expand
naturally as no other nation ever has before。
〃This has given the English…speakers； especially the United
States； a free hand； rendering enforcement of the Monroe 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 Canadaor provinces； as they
were then calledcame 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 volition； the Union has
increased enormously in power； till it now embraces 10；000；000
square miles； and has a free and enlightened population of
300；000；000。 Though the Union established by Washington and his
contemporaries has attained such tremendous proportions； its
growth is by no means finished； and as a result of modern
improvements； it is less of a journey now to go from Alaska to
the Orinoco than it was for the Father of his Country to travel
from New York or Philadelphia to the site of the city named in
his honour。
〃Adequate and really rapid transportation facilities have done
much to bind the different parts of the country together； and to
rub off the edges of local prejudice。 Though we always favour
peace； no nation would think of opposing the expressed wishes of
the United States； and our moral power for good is tremendous。
The name Japhet means enlargement； and the prophecy seems about
to be literally fulfilled by these his descendants。 The bankrupt
suffering of so many European Continental powers had also other
results。 It enabled the socialistswho have never been able to
see beyond themselvesto force their governments into selling
their colonies in the Eastern hemisphere to England； and their
islands in the Western to us； in order to realize upon them。
With the addition of Canada to the United States and its loss to
the British Empire； the land possessions of the two powers became
about equal； our Union being a trifle the larger。 All danger of
war being removed by the Canadian change； a healthful and
friendly competition took its place； the nations competing in
their growth on different hemispheres。 England easily added
large areas in Asia and Africa； while the United States grew as
we have
