of the human race.

"To these great achievements of a mighty people it is impossible to
estimate the share contributed by the sturdy pioneers and their
descendants of this vast tract of country, the cession of which more
than doubled the area of our country a century ago. What great states
have been carved out of this territory! What wonderful wealth of
resources have been brought forth here! What a splendid citizenship has
been established in this vast region! New York rejoices with you in the
giant strides made by this newer section of our country.

"It certainly is most appropriate at this time when the republic is
reaching out as a world power that we should celebrate the anniversary
of the first great chapter in the history of our national expansion.
Time has proven that Jefferson and his compeers built greater than they
knew, for by that acquisition of territory there was developed a spirit
of national progress that did not cease even when we first learned to
know no superior among the nations of the earth.

"Representatives of half a dozen different nations met in the smoking
room of an ocean liner sometime ago. It was suggested that each nation
be toasted. An Englishman paid a glowing tribute to his country. A
Frenchman lauded his nation and a Russian eulogized the land of the
Czar. Then an American arose and said: 'Here is to the United States,
bounded on the north by the North Pole, on the east by the rising sun,
on the south by the South Pole, and on the west by the setting sun.' As
he finished another American present requested that he be permitted to
attempt an improvement on the toast given by his countryman, which
request was granted. He then toasted the United States in this fashion:
'Here's to the United States, bounded on the north by the Aurora