The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-01-06
Increase of Population.

The census of 1850 will snow a rapid increase OF
population in every State and Territory OF the
Union. N0D this is subject of congratulation.
Nom we can rejoice, not only in the augmentiug
strength and prosperity of our country, but in the
favorable contrast which 1t presents with most
parts OF Europe. From the old and badly. gov
erned empires of western Europe, crowds are seek
ing our shores In pursuit OF bread and freedom
But as nations live long, and we, at pre-
sent speed, shall finally reach the condition OF
overstocked nations, we may as well inquire if the
rapid increase which is theme OF rejoicing
may not hereafter become a source of calamity
And If calamity be the prospect may we'll
inquire no,D how we may retard its approach, il
not avert il entirely
1890 305 900 in 1900 ,240, 900 in 1870 100 900
1920, II 100000 i'll 1890, II 100000 in $40, and
will probably be 5000 900 by the census of 1850
This is almost duplication IN twenty, and more
than duplication In twenty tlve years. Assuming
twenty two years the rate, and there will be
400 900 900 in 1885 and about 600 900 900 in 1850
An increase of 575 1000 900 in one century
what startling, and very naturally suggests the
inquiry How will all these people live" la
1880 the square miles of the Union were 100000,
and the population less than to square mile.
Now the square miles are about 3 900, and the
population about to q square mile. The rate of
Russia and Poland 2s OF population to square
mile less than any other country OF Europe except
ing Sweden, Norway, and Greece, would now
give us S4 900 900 That of Spain, 90, sparsely
settled country would give 1875 900 900; that of
Italy l72 would BE- 5000 000 that of Britain and
Ireland 206 would be 6lS 900 ,000 and that OF Bel
rium, 1913, would be 800 ,O00,0oO' The Chinese
Empire contains 5200, 900 square miles, and, ac-
cording to the OF 1912, 1852, 500 600 nhabi-
tans II the Chinese population be now O000O, 900,
the ratio is only II 10 square mile, ratio that
would be the seventh in Europe, and givs us above
100000
Some will say that ratio of increase will di-
minish with the increase, Tor population ls re-
strained by difficulty iii procuring subsistence
But. paradoxicel the assertion may seem, history
shows the contrary. ln ali countries called eiU,
hsed, and in which agriculture, commerce, and
manufactures are united, population increases with
poverty. For proof, reterto England. Scotland.
Ireland, and China. In England and Scotland.
the aggregate of wealth increases, while the mum
Der OF its possessions dininishes Hence the mum
Der and privations of the poor Increases. The
NAV be said of Ireland and China. The population
of ireland was 2,s00,0OO in 1888. aud S,5OO,OOO ia
l54l The population Of China was y 900 in
7l0 l03 900 900 in 1853 about 800. 900 600 in 1893,
362 900 900 in 1912, and is probably 900.
These facts would show that poverty promotes po-
pulation On the other side We shall be told that
tic United States have greatly increased IN wealth,
as well as in population, aud show more equal
distribution of wealth. greater facilities in furnish
ing comforts NJ well as nccessaries, and better
condition OF the poor, than any osher country.
But plenty, while promoting population directly,
restrains it indirectly. Where subsistence and i'm
provement easy none alecontcnt to be station.
AIRY. All striving to advance, and the majority
do advance, more or less; and this eNertion and
consequent advancement devclopc faculties, and
thus elevate the condition of humanity Some sup
pose that tins abundance encourage early mar
riage. Generally, IL does not People thus advan-
cling, with numerous faculties developed and occu
pied think less OF marriage; and, with them, mar
ragc is less prolific But where poverty, continu
ally increasing. is the lot OF majority where their
faculties, for want OF occupation, are united to
mere animal instincts, marriage IS the very next
thought beyond food, clothing, and shelter No
people marry earlier or Increase faster than the
starving peasantry OF Ireland aud Scotland. Adam
smith in his 'sWtalth of Nations. states the fact
in ga yng that "a hall starved highland woman
will have fifteen twenty strong children and still
be robust while fine lady of quality may have
none, or s exhausted by two three The vital
energies OF the Highlander are exhausted upon two
or three faculties those of the "ine LADY, upon
dozen twenty.
What, then is the remedy az ainst excessive pop
uatonl Promoting the development Of the higher
faculties In other words promoting educauon.
improvement, equality Of condition uprGrds.
philadelphia Ledger.