(8). The acquisition, by purchase from Russia, of Alaska, in 1867. (9). The acquisitions, last year, by combined conquest, purchase and annexation, of Porto Rico, the Sandwich Islands, the Philippine Islands, and the suzerainty of Cuba. I have never been able to divest myself of the belief that the American policy of acquisition and expansion should have been carried still further, and that when Africa was being partitioned among the powers of Europe, the United States should have secured a share of that continent, in view of the fact that it has millions of the coloured race among its inhabitants. When Stanley made the descent of the Congo and laid bare the heart of darkest Africa, had the United States, in place of Belgium, secured possession of that country, as it might have done on the ground that the explorer was an American citizen, its advantages to the United States, in my opinion, would have been of the greatest importance, and it would have afforded a congenial home for American coloured people, and possibly a solution of the race problem. The conditions as relating to commerce and naval operations, are of such a character as to have rendered impossible any proper forecast of the course of events one hundred years ago, or any clear definition at that time of a proper policy that would apply to present conditions. Insular possessions then appeared undesirable, and likely to entail costs and responsibilities entirely out of proportion to their value. With the development of the modern steam marine, has come the necessity for establishing coaling-stations at convenient points where the commercial operations of the nation reach. Without these, a naval power is handicapped, and its naval resources may be rendered useless. The United States has fairly embarked upon its career as a great exporter of manufactured products. It has, since almost the commencement of its existence as a nation, been entitled to take rank as a great commercial power; and before the breaking out of the slave-holders' rebellion, it led the world in the amount of its tonnage. This year the amount of exports of manufactures from the United States, will reach the sum of $400,000,000, $100,000,000 of which will be iron and steel. The rapid expansion of the manufacturing interests of the United States renders foreign markets necessary. The geographical position of the United States, upon the eastern coast of the Pacific, puts the command of the commerce of that great ocean within its grasp, if the proper measures are taken to secure the prize. The possession of the Sandwich Islands is a necessity, if the United States is to control, or to take the leading position in the commerce of the Pacific Ocean. The possession of the Philippines will confer great advantages not only in the control of the market of 10,000,000 people, and of the products of a marvellously fertile region, but in the strategic and commercial position of these islands in relation to the commerce of Asia, and in their great military importance as a base of naval operations. If the United States is to be a great commercial power it must of necessity be a great naval and military power, and the possession of coaling-stations and important military positions becomes a matter of necessity. This great nation with its almost infinite command of resources, its wealth and its enterprise, should no longer seek to remain in a position of isolation. It must take its position as a worldpower and assume its responsibilities in the world's affairs. It must exercise its potent influence in the world's movements, and if wisdom governs the counsels of Great Britain and the United States, the two nations will control the world's destinies. We may conclude that Washington, with the possession of of the knowledge which we now possess, would necessarily have modified his views as to various public questions. The country should heed his admonitions and adopt their spirit, while varying the mode of their application as the circumstances of the day require. It is necessary and prudent to follow old paths so far as these ways are demonstrated to be safe and proper, and Washington's memory may and should be held in reverence, both for the great qualities and great services of the man, and for his deep interest in the welfare of his country and his excellent advice to its future rulers and public men. The Almighty Ruler has been favourable to this land. With a high hand He has brought it through many trials and tribulations, and placed it in a position of enviable prominence among the great nations of the earth. Sad will be the day, if it ever comes, when the nation forgets the God whose blessings have crowned its career with success. The future of the land of Washington is radiant with hope. Its power, vast as it is, seems destined to be greatly increased. The second centennial anniversary of the death of Washington is not unlikely to see this great country inhabited by 250,000,000 people, without taking account of the population of future acquisitions. This enormous aggregation of humanity, with its probable development in arts, and science, and with its vast accumulations of wealth, is almost beyond our comprehension, and the contrast between the probable condition of affairs at the dawn of the century one hundred years hence, and the condition of affairs at the present time, we may believe, will be as striking and impressive as is the contrast now presented between the condition of affairs at the present moment and in 1799. To few men is given the meed of imperishable fame. Still more limited is the number of those who command the blessing and the reverence of mankind, and whose names will, through all the ages, recall memories of virtue, patriotism, fear of God, and noble, unselfish service to country and humanity. In this glorious category of radiant names, encircled with the halo of noble purposes and mighty achievements, will stand forever, peerless and beautiful in the list of the immortals, the names of Washington and Lincoln. These men were veritable evangels of liberty. They stand in the advance guard of heaven's chosen leaders in the mighty sweep of resistless progress. To the memory of Washington we bring our offering of reverence and high appreciation to-night. Humanity may thank the Infinite Disposer of human events, for the gift of such a leader in the cause of liberty and truth. Ancient Rome would have enshrined such a name in the list of her demigods. America should cherish the memory of Washington in the future, as in the past, and set forth his virtues, his services, and his character, as a lofty example for the emulation of her sons. AMERICAN HUMOUR I RECOGNIZE a good story as a friend and helper in the work of bettering humanity. I have given many addresses in light vein to my people, and the following is one of them. Who shall compute the value of laughter to plodding, careharassed man? Who shall weigh its cheerful influence on the physical and mental well-being, or compute its worth in the standards of commercial values? "It gives to beauty half its power, The nameless charms with all the rest, It well supplies her absence too; And many a cheek looks passing fair, Solomon declares that to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: "A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance." We know full well that our time to weep comes with unwelcome frequency, that sorrow may at any time cast its shadows over us, and that few indeed of our joys are unalloyed by something that reminds us of frailty and mortality. Shadowy forms hover around the half-opened portals of the future, and cast sinister shadows over the path along which we advance, hopeful but afraid. And alas! the time to die, how soon it will come; who shall escape the dread transition which all the generations of men preceding us have undergone? And yet, why should we |