WESTERN INCIDENTS. 121

now, and they will find—for self-interest governs all these things,
whatever the pride of nations may dictate—it will not divert the
course of trade from its easiest channels, and when you have
diverted the course of trade through our republic, all that
Europe uses of the spices, teas, and silks of the East will come
through this channel, here by you, the people of Chicago.
[Applause.] I tell you, sir, and I say to this company, you have
a right to be proud of what you have done, for you are revolu-
tionizing the commerce of the world. I do not know that any
man can now form a judgment of the exceeding importance of
this great work; but I am glad, sir, that it has fallen to my lot
to support it before the nation, to give my voice and influence in
its behalf. [Applause.] I am glad, sir, that it stands recorded
there that, through good report and through evil report, I stood
by this as I stand by all those great thoroughfares that connect
the interests of this great republic with one another. The
gentleman alluded to that great international work, the water
communication between here and the East, almost as important
as the other, and worthy the enterprising people of Chicago to
bring before the public, and I trust they will have the intelligence
and the power to impress its importance on the whole people of
the United States, so that that work shall go hand in hand with
the other, and finally be accomplished. [Applause.] Therefore,
again I say to you that the importance of this location transcends
probably what most men think of it. If you are not to be the
first city of this continent, you will never have but two rivals—
San Francisco, on the Pacific, may contend the palm of greatness
with you, and New York has got to run fast to get out of your
way. [Laughter and applause.] You may deem that an extrav-
agant expression, but recollect that New York city had to
struggle for one hundred and fifty years before she had the popu-
lation and wealth that you have to-day. Look at her history, and

then at all this you have made up since I visited this, then bar-

ren spot, thirty-two years ago, and certainly neither your intel-

ligence nor your enterprise are slow to perceive the great advan-

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