Remember that a new world neighborhood has been created, bringing
important points on the globe into closer proximity by one-half to
two-thirds of the former distance, through the short route of the
Panama Canal.
* * * * *
Therefore, a new commandment is given to each nation, namely, "to love
thy neighbor as thyself," by entering by thought and co-operation
into such policies as will make for the best interest of the entire
new world neighborhood.
* * * * *
Do not think that other nations are unapproachable. But remember that
North and South America, with all Europe, "are more closely related
in point of time and common interests than were the original
Thirteen States when the necessities of commerce forced them to form
the compact of the Union; that the two geographical extremes of the
colonies were as far separated as Berlin and the Barbary States or
as London and the Black Sea."
* * * * *
Do not think that the short route through the canal is merely a path for
commerce's ships, or only a highway for navies or state dignitaries;
but remember also that it is a short route to the Hague and
international congresses.
* * * * *
And do not fail to recall that brave men opened up this international
highway--not through forests or smoking prairies, but through
mountains, swamps, rocks and hills--in order to hasten the day of
essential world democracy.
* * * * *
So think clearly enough and you will surely see that the completion of
the Panama Canal is virtually the discovery of a basis of essential
world unity. He who walks by land or sails by sea can now read the
will of God.
* * * * *
With increasing numbers we are now arriving at the day that Whitman
speaks of in the following words:
"The main shapes arise!
Shapes of democracy total, result of centuries
Shapes ever projecting other shapes,
Shapes of turbulent manly cities,
Shapes of the friends and home-givers of the whole earth,
Shapes bracing the earth and braced by the whole earth."
* * * * *
The key that is in tune with all other keys of its own instrument is in
tune with all harmony on the earth. And the man that has attuned his
life to justice and liberty in the community in which he lives is in
accord with freemen in every land, loves the vision of world-wide
liberty and prays for its realization.
* * * * *
Tagore, the Hindu poet, says: "I have learned though our tongues are
different and our habits dissimilar, at the bottom our hearts are
one. The monsoon clouds, generated on the banks of the Nile,
fertilize the far distant shores of the Ganges; ideas may have to
cross from east to western shores to find a welcome in men's hearts.
East is east and west is west--God forbid that it should be
otherwise--but the twain must meet in amity, peace and mutual
understanding; and their meeting will be all the more fruitful
because of their differences; it must lead to holy wedlock before
the common altar of humanity."