Page 288 - La Société canadienne d'histoire de l'Église catholique - Rapport 1961

284 WISCONSIN HISTORICAII COLLECTIONS.
So that at this moment, probably, not less than three hundred
thousand people are within the boundaries of the old Milwau-
kce Land District, and who, more or less, contribute to the
commercia,l interests of Milwaukec.
Will Milwaukee continue to grow? I answer, yes; surely
and rapidly. There are difficulties in the may. I cannot stop
now, nor is this the time, to consider them. They are difficul-
ties that are shared in by the State at large, and forebode
trouble, but I trust to the intelligc~ice, the good sense, and the
patriotism of our people to provide a timely clearance. I say
again, Milwaukee will advance surely and rapidly.
Our rail-roads, already, within our own State, draw the pro-
ducts from twenty-eight thousand square miles. This cannot
be diverted from us. This extent of country is capable of sus-
taining, at a'moderate rate per square mile, more than two
millions of people. Other avenues are to be opened and new
regions are to be reached. And beyond the boundary of our
own State shall they who there dwell, come and establish their
commercial relations with us on the shores of this blue sea.
The foundations for this relation atre now being broadly and
firmly laid.
CHAMPLAIN, MARQUETTE, and IIBNNEPIN commenced to
advertisc to the civilized world this great basin to which I have
alluded, more than two hundred years ago. At first the march
of empire was slow. But now it moves on, and its tread is as
the voice of thunder. Through this magnificent gateway,
whose history and whose destiny we are considering to-night,
and over which we stand sentry, already hundreds of thou-
sands of men and women have passed out and taken possession
of those fair plains, and stand beckoning on other millions who
remain behind. These other millions are coming, and mill
take possession of this basin and plains beyond. And the
time comes rapidly on, when these teeming millions shall dic-
tate laws to the enti~e continent!
Gentlemen and brother merchants, you have met here to-