“As a result of all these reflections and many more of the same sort, the conclusion was finally reached and the parliament gave its solemn sanction to the new State, but with characteristic foresight exacted one promise to which all the states acceded before the final act was consummated, and that was, that the said new nation should forever be the friend of Great Britain and in case her existence as a nation were threatened it should be bound to interpose in her behalf, and if necessary take up arms in her defense. The name proposed for the new nation was the “Pan Anglic Union.” When England failed to ratify, “Pan” was dropped, and the name became simply the “Anglic Union.” But it was playfully nicknamed the “Lion’s Cubs,” the “Old Hen’s Chickens” etc.”
“When did these things happen?” I inquired.
“They were finished by the year 1950,” he replied.
“Did not the various states have to do considerable remodeling of their forms and procedure to fit them for this consolidation?”
“Very little, their governments were all much like that of the United States. Like this country, they had already turned over to the control of the state all monopolies, such as railroads, and had reached the same conclusions as to money, the suffrage, taxation and most other questions. They had their legislatures and executive and judicial branches of government, all about alike. Ireland had for a decade or more enjoyed home rule. She came into the new Union as two states, Ulster and South Ireland. These were soon afterward reconsolidated into one—Ireland—the causes that led to their separation, viz, religious jealousy and the teaching of religion in the schools having been eliminated by the severance of all connection between church and state, which the new constitution required.
“The new nation had hardly got settled down to business, before new annexations and consolidations were proposed and after much hesitation and reflection were agreed to. Mexico, Central America and Japan proposed to come into the Union, and shortly after Chili and Argentine made application for admission. The fact is that in forming the “Anglic Union” the promoters were building far more than they realized. Time had without their knowing it reached a new epoch, and was about to turn over a new leaf. Men were becoming educated and mentally developed by strides instead of inches, by moles instead of molecules. In forming the “Anglic Union” they had given expression to a new feeling into which mankind was just being born, a feeling of human brotherhood, a new instinct that drew men together and acquainted them with the fact that they were all the result of common natural causes and animated by common loves and hopes and fears. It showed them they were not naturally and necessarily enemies, but might and ought to be friends and mutually helpful to each other. It was the beginning of the end of war, the epoch of peace and good will.
“When they began to think of taking other than English speaking nations into the “Anglic Union,” it was at once perceived that the name was inadequate, and so was the constitution. The name was changed to “The Great Union” and the constitution was amended in regard to the official language so far as the non-English speaking nations were concerned. English however was to be taught in these nations and it has gradually superseded the other languages. Schools have everywhere been established, and the church has been rigidly separated from the state. The state protects the church, but contributes nothing to its support, nor does it compel any unwilling citizen to contribute to its support by the exemption of its property from its due proportion of taxation.”
“Have any other nations joined the Great Union up to the present time besides those you have mentioned?”
“None others have been admitted into full membership as equal states, but all the states of South America have been taken under the protection of the “Great Union.” They are being settled and developed by northern people and the native population gradually educated up to the required standard. The equatorial climate is naturally unfavorable to enterprise, and development proceeds slowly. The church has been a serious obstacle, claiming time and attention of the natives that ought to be devoted to business and education. The country is being covered with railways by northern enterprise. The most important of these is the great international road extending from the city of Mexico through Central America and the isthmus of Darien and traversing the whole length of South America, even into Patagonia. Branches from this trunk diverge toward all important points and enormous progress has been made in agriculture and mining. The resources of this continent furnish a vast support to the teeming population of North America.”
Mention of these railways led me to inquire of the Professor concerning the progress of transportation, and commerce and whether any radical innovations had been introduced.