just after the close of the
Franco-Prussian war, Mr. Seward found himself the centre of a group,
mostly composed of young Americans.

He had just almost completed a tour around the world, and in answer to a
question as to what had impressed him most during his travels, he
answered practically as follows:

"Boys, the fact is the Americans are the only nation that has and
understands liberty. With us a man is a man, absolutely free and
politically equal with all, with special privileges for none. Every one
has a chance, whereas, wherever I have been I was impressed with the
subjugation and oppression of the people. I had all my life talked in
public and private of the greatness of our mission of civilization and
progress, of the ideas we represented, and the lessons we were teaching
the world, but I never realized how true it was that we were of all
others the representatives of human progress. Now I know it. I am sure
now, from what I have myself seen, that nothing I have ever said or
others have said, as to the destiny of our country was exaggerated. I am
an old man now and may not see it, but some of you boys may live to see
American ideas and principles and civilization spread around the world,
and lift up and regenerate mankind."

The opinion of another old-time statesman, given some quarter of a
century ago, is of vivid interest to-day.

In 1872, when the Geneva Convention was holding its deliberations, Mr.
William M. Evarts spoke words of wisdom to a company of distinguished
guests at a luncheon given by him at the house in which he was then
living.

Among others present were Charles Francis Adams, Caleb Cushing, Morrison
R. Waite, afterward Chief Justice; J. Bancroft Davis, Charles C. Beaman,
and others of the American Commission.

What Mr. Evarts said was in substance as follows:

"Gentlemen, God has America in his direct keeping, and lets it work out
its destinies in accordance with His own wishes and for His own purpose.
When the time came and Europe needed an outlet for its surplus energy,
God let down the bars and America was discovered. Then little colonies
of enterprising and progressive men, seeking freedom from troubles and
oppressions of their native land, founded homes along the Atlantic
coast. He had let down the bars again for his own purposes. These men
struggled and fought and progressed in civilization and liberty until
the time came when again the bars were let down and we had the
Revolut