The American economic, political, and social organization has given to its citizens the benefits of material prosperity, political liberty, and a wholesome natural equality; and this achievement is a gain, not only to Americans, but to the world and to civilization.
III HOW THE PROMISE IS TO BE REALIZED In the preceding section I have been seeking to render justice to the actual achievements of the American nation.

A work of manifest individual and social value has been wrought; and this work, not only explains the expectant popular outlook towards the future, but it partially determines the character as distinguished from the continued fulfillment of the American national Promise.

The better future, whatever else it may bring, must bring at any rate a continuation of the good things of the past.

The drama of its fulfillment must find an appropriate setting in the familiar American social and economic scenery.

No matter how remote the end may be, no matter what unfamiliar sacrifices may eventually be required on its behalf, the substance of the existing achievement must constitute a veritable beginning, because on no other condition can the attribution of a peculiar Promise to American life find a specific warrant.