Page 131 - The interest of America in sea power, present and future

112 Possibilities of an

when she was the solitary power of the seas,
saved herself from destruction, and powerfully
modified for the better the course of history.
With such strong determining conditions
combining to converge the two nations into the
same highway, and with the visible dawn of
the day when this impulse begins to find ex-
pression in act, the question naturally arises,
What should be the immediate course to be
favored by those who hail the growing light,
and would hasten gladly the perfect day ? That
there are not a few who seek a reply to this
question is evidenced by the articles of Mr. Car-
negie, of Sir George Clarke, and of Mr. White,
all appearing within a short time in the pages
of the " North American Review." And it is
here, I own, that, though desirous as any one
can be to see the fact accomplished, I shrink
from contemplating it, under present conditions,
in the form of an alliance, naval or other.
Rather I should say : Let each nation be edu-
cated to realize the length and breadth of its
own interest in the sea ; when that is done, the
identity of these interests will become apparent.
This identity cannot be established firmly in
men's minds antecedent to the great teacher,