THE WORLD'S NEIGHBORHOOD
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.
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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.
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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."
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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.
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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.