The daring and the strength of will of the fathers still live on in the young generation: It is a contribution from all the peoples of the earth which no other individual nation can boast--and it is one of these very qualifications which make it possible for America to lead upon the great stage of history. But, in this respect it is of still greater importance that America by receiving this contribution from all the peoples of the earth has developed a _deep-seated and sincere feeling of community_ with all nations. Through the Irishmen here, America is in close contact with Ireland, through the Poles with Poland, through the Bohemians with Bohemia, through the Danes with Denmark, and so on. This adds to the qualifications which fit America for assuming the part of the leader in the progress of the world, and is in itself a qualification which no other country at any time has ever had, and which no other country most likely will ever have at any time in the future. There is no nation in the world which has such a _vivid and natural consciousness of community_ with as many peoples as has America. And this is of unprecedented importance. For that nation which is to lead the world during the period of _readjustment_ which the world so sorely needs, must do so, not through power and wealth, but through a deep-seated sympathy and a readiness and ability, born of that sympathy, to lead the many nations forward to something better--to a higher and nobler national life so that they will strive to live according to the words of the Lord: "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." But America loses this unique qualification for leadership among the nations, on the day when the multitudinous languages spoken here die. Therefore, the great question is whether or not progress in this respect is to lead into that narrowmindedness which kills the many tongues. Or, will the development favor a retention of the native languages of the various nationalities here together with English? _English is the great common language of America--the principal language which must be learned by the immigrants._ This is so obviously a matter of fact that it really should be unnecessary to allude to it. But, in addition, every nationality should be allowed to retain its native language in order to ensure for America the preservation of that deep-seated natural sympathy with the many peoples created by God--"of one blood all nations of men." The American nation is related to all other nations. It therefore has the qualification for _understanding them_ and _for encouraging the feeling of brotherhood_ among them which no other nation ever has had, and which any other individual nation most likely never will have.