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h are taking place in any corner of the globe。 The consequence is that there is less difference； at the present day； between the Europeans and their descendants in the New World； than there was between certain towns in the thirteenth century which were only separated by a river。 If this tendency to assimilation brings foreign nations closer to each other； it must a fortiori prevent the descendants of the same people from becoming aliens to each other。
The time will therefore come when one hundred and fifty millions of men will be living in North America； *q equal in condition； the progeny of one race； owing their origin to the same cause； and preserving the same civilization； the same language； the same religion； the same habits； the same manners； and imbued with the same opinions； propagated under the same forms。 The rest is uncertain； but this is certain； and it is a fact new to the world … a fact fraught with such portentous consequences as to baffle the efforts even of the imagination。
＇Footnote q： This would be a population proportionate to that of Europe； taken at a mean rate of 410 inhabitants to the square league。＇
There are； at the present time； two great nations in the world which seem to tend towards the same end； although they started from different points： I allude to the Russians and the Americans。 Both of them have grown up unnoticed； and whilst the attention of mankind was directed elsewhere； they have suddenly assumed a most prominent place amongst the nations； and the world learned their existence and their greatness at almost the same time。
All other nations seem to have nearly reached their natural limits； and only to be charged with the maintenance of their power； but these are still in the act of growth； *r all the others are stopped； or continue to advance with extreme difficulty； these are proceeding with ease and with celerity along a path to which the human eye can assign no term。 The American struggles against the natural obstacles which oppose him； the adversaries of the Russian are men； the former combats the wilderness and savage life； the latter； civilization with all its weapons and its arts： the conquests of the one are therefore gained by the ploughshare； those of the other by the sword。 The Anglo…American relies upon personal interest to accomplish his ends； and gives free scope to the unguided exertions and common…sense of the citizens； the Russian centres all the authority of society in a single arm： the principal instrument of the former is freedom； of the latter servitude。 Their starting…point is different； and their courses are not the same； yet each of them seems to be marked out by the will of Heaven to sway the destinies of half the globe。
＇Footnote r： Russia is the country in the Old World in which population increases most rapidly in proportion。＇
End of Volume 1