Page 88 - The interest of America in sea power, present and future

The Isthmus and Sea Power. 6
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tive of the scum of nations as yet barely emerg-
ing from barbarism. They were this, doubt-
less, but they were something more. In the
march of events, these early marauders played
the same part, in relation to what was to suc-
ceed them, as the rude, unscrupulous, lawless
adventurers who now precede the ruthless
march of civilized man, who swarm over the
border, occupy the outposts, and by their ex-
cesses stain the fair fame of the race whose
pioneers they are. But, while thus libels upon
and reproaches to the main body, they never-
theless belong to it, share its essential charac-
ter, and foretell its inevitable course. Like
driftwood swept forward on the crest of a tor-
rent, they betoken the approaching flood. So
with the celebrated freebooters of the Spanish
Main. Of the same general type, — though
varying greatly in individual characteristics, in
breadth of view, and even in elevation of pur-
pose, — their piratical careers not only evi-
denced the local wealth of the scene of their
exploits, but attested the commercial and stra-
tegic importance of the position upon which
in fact that wealth depended. The carcass
was there, and the eagles as well as the vul-