Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: THE discussion of an Anglo-Saxon Alliance, while evoking almost universal enthusiasm and approval, both in England and in the United States, has at the same time called forth criticisms and strictures which it is well for us to study dispassionately. Though these objections come from those who are either decidedly inimical to the main spirit and substance of such an alliance, or at least show no friendly attitude towards it, their attacks are undoubtedly directed towards the weakest point of this great and all- important scheme. When, moreover, we find that these vulnerable parts are in no way essential to the main stem and body,and that, by lopping them off, we can ensure the only form of sane and healthy growth, these criticisms ought to be gratefully considered at this early stage. Strictures similar to those made by Mr. Davitt in his letters to " The Times" might be made — though on different grounds and from different motives — by one who is the most ardent devotee to the idea of an alliance or complete understanding between Great Britain and her Colonies and the United States of America. It would be most distressing to him if what is, after all, a minor point were to destroy the whole of this scheme at its very inception, or that, if this minor point itself were to gain importance, such an alliance would be jeopardised in its leading purpose, and for all time its vitality and durability would be threatened. For an effective and close amity, if not a federation, between Great Britain and the United States has been one of the dreams of my life, which appeared remote, sometimes very remote; yet which, whatever may happen, has now fortunately been brought near to realisation in the minds of the best and even the most sober people in both countries. 1 This lecture is here... --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.