Polynesian., 1856-09-20
No. 90

don by the end of fifty wears. London NAV then
have five millions; New York will almost certainly
have more than that number
But he does not tarry long to admire the brilli-
ance of the orb he has conjured into view on this
side OF the Atlantic, but again, and as with pro-
Phetlc soul, inquiries "WI the star of empire be-
come stationary at New York;
lie sees far beyond the broad horizon, wherein
the Interior plain Of North America stretches away;
ne sees ITS resources inforest, mine and stream snd
soll and he arrives at once to the conclusion that
- the bright particular star" must eliminate above
that plain, and he says
It's most promising CITY at present Is Chicago
The law Of its grownth since 1910 seems 10 be u
duplication within four years. In 1910 il numbered
4,4I9. In June Of this year it will contain Sc, ,OCO
AT the same rate of increase carried forward it
would overtake New York in thirty-three years
If six years be allowed for each future duplication
Chicago would overtake New York in thlrty-three
years. If the growth of Chicago should, in future,
be measured by a duplication every seven wears,
it would contain 5,622, ,OGO in forty-two wears In
1901, forty-fve years from this time, the central
plain, including the Canadas, will contain about
oO,OOO,OOO of people. Its chief city may reasona-
bly, be expected to contain about one-tenth of this
population. Before the end of this century the
cities and towns Of the central plain will contain,
with their suburbs not less than half of the entire
population; that Is to say, forty millions. How
these millions shall appropriated among the cities
OF that day IS a subject of curious speculation"
"Some twenty-eight years ago 1t predicted
by the writer that one or more interior cities Of
North America would, within fifty years, become
larger than New Orleans, and ultimately second
only to New York. Cincinnati and St. Louis were
then believed to be the favored points. About six
teen years ago canals and railways gave indications
of their ability to transfer the seats of commerce
of the interior plain from the river to the lake
borders. 1t was then cOnfidentally asserted that
the greatest cities would grow up at Chicago, To-
ledo, and other commercial points on the great
lakes. To most men, at that time, that any lake
city west of Buffalo could become larger than that
chief receptacle of lake commerce seemed as pre-
PosterOus as did the opinion, dozen years earlier,
that New Orleans could be rivaled by Cincinnati.
10 him it appeared as certain as the movement of
time, that Chicago, Cleveland, Toledo, and some
other commercial points on the lakes would be-
come greater than Buffalo. Chicago leads the pro-
eession, having passed Buffalo the present year,
Cleveland and Detroit are to follow next to be
succeeded by Toledo, which will pass these and be
only second to Chicago, if indeed she becomes not
successful rival to that city in the long race for
supremacy"
If there be not something sublime in such pro-
cCSSiOn Of greatness, then we have read Burke 10
very little purpose. The westward goings Of the
star of human power from meridian to meridian;
that crossing of rivers and lakes aqd forests until
full above ''the unshorn pastures of God, we be-
hold its unObstructed blaze; that laughing of the
wilderness into beauty beneath its light; that filling
of lonely places with myrads of men; that follow
ing the sun around the world, till there be nothing
more to be magnifed, and no mere earth to subju
gate to people.