Undoubtedly our opportunities have been great; undoubtedly we have often and lamentably failed in taking advantage of them.

But what nation ever has done all that was possible with the chances offered it?
The Spaniards, the Portuguese, and the French, not to speak of the Russians in Siberia, have all enjoyed, and yet have failed to make good use of, the same advantages which we have turned to good account.

The truth is, that in starting a new nation in a new country, as we have done, while there are exceptional chances to be taken advantage of, there are also exceptional dangers and difficulties to be overcome.

None but heroes can succeed wholly in the work.

It is a good thing for us at times to compare what we have done with what we could have done, had we been better and wiser; it may make us try in the future to raise our abilities to the level of our opportunities.