Isn't it rather quarrelling with the course of human events to oppose accomplished facts?
The unifications were bound to be, just as the separations before them were.

And so far they have made for peace, in Europe at least, and peace is civilization.

Perhaps after a great many ages people will come together through their real interests, the human interests; but at present it seems as if nothing but a romantic sentiment of patriotism can unite them.

By-and-by they may find that there is nothing in it." "Perhaps," said the general, discontentedly.

"I don't see much promise of any kind in the future." "Well, I don't know.