In our favored land political liberty and economic opportunity were by a process of natural education inevitably making for individual and social amelioration.

In Europe the people did not have a fair chance.

Population increased more quickly than economic opportunities, and the opportunities which did exist were largely monopolized by privileged classes.

Power was lodged in the hands of a few men, whose interest depended upon keeping the people in a condition of economic and political servitude; and in this way a divorce was created between individual interest and social stability and welfare.
The interests of the privileged rulers demanded the perpetuation of unjust institutions.

The interest of the people demanded a revolutionary upheaval.