The union Democrat., 1869-03-20
WESTWARD THE COURSE OF EM.
PIRE TAKES ITS WAY.o
Extent of Territory-Df Distribution ofPopu
l"iiOn-Rntio Of Observation-Disclosures
TO Immigration.

Following the boundary liae between Min
nesota. Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas and Louis
lana on the east, and Texas, the Indian Ter
ritory, Kansas. Nebraska and Dakota on the
west, we divide the United States nearly
upon the Goth degree Of ofIongitude west from
Washington, or the 94th from Greenwich.
The initial point Of this line upon the Gulf of
Mexico is Mt the mouth of the Sabine river,
which at that terms the boundary line be-
tween Louisiana and Texas and the extreme
northern limit is in the Red river of the
North, where it enters the British posses
sions, and forms the boundary line between
Minnesota and Dakota. This subdivision os
territory leaves upon the east of this line
thirty Of the United States covering an area
of one million one hundred and sixty thou
sand two hundred and eighty-eight square
miles. with a population, according to the
Rst census returns, of thirty millions one
hundred and six thousand nine hundred and
ninety-seven, while west of it there are six
teen States and Territories, including Alaska.
covering an area Of two million five hundred
and eighty-nine thousand two hundred and
ninety-one square miles, with population,
according to the same returns, OF one million
three hundred and thirty-siX thousand three
hundred and twenty-five. Taking the ratio
OF increase, which the census returns for the
last two decades have established, at thirty
five per cent to be the probable ratio of in
crease from 1860 to 1867, we now have q
population within the bounds of this Eastern
domain of forty millions, while in the Wes-
tern, we have less than two millions. Ad-
mitting the above to be a fair estimate upon
which to base the ratio Of increase for the
whole country. it is evidently unjust to the
western subdivision of our territory, as the
statistics of the last census report conclu-
sively demonstrate.
In specializing upon the probable move
ments of population for the next thirty years,
1t does not require any great stretch of the
to see the present great disparity
in numbers between the two districts over
come, and prepcnderance in favor Of the
western side Of the Goth meridian of longi-
tude established. TIC show that this idea is
not entirely hypothetical, we have only to
glance back to the westward march of "the
course of Empire" for the last twenty years.
Take. for instance. the ratio cf increase of the
six New England States. where never within
a period from 1910 to 1860 did the increase
amount to over A. 10 per cent. that of Con-
necticuI; while ir the case of Vermont it
sank to less than one-half of one per cent
with an average for the whole, during the
decade ending 1860 of Is so per cent TAX
ing the States of New York, New jersey,
Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. we
have an increase over that of New England
of 1884 per cent, which a rate of increase
amounting to % Ga per cent. AS we move
westward the increase becomes of astonishing
magnitude. Taking twelve Western States
and Territories, we get the enormous sum
of 345 90 per cent. as the average while the
extremes stand. Ohio, 1914 per cent, and
Minnesota, 2,760S7 per cent The above
figures prove the injustice of basing the in
crease of the Western territories on the basis
OF the general average for the whole country
of 50 per cent. for we see that taking twelve
States and Territories we get 345 per cent as
the average; which. as basis for estimat-
ing our present population, will give US in
1870 upwards of six millions.
Superficial areas of the two divisions are
not equally balanced. the rreponderance be-
ing largely in favor of the Western but when
we strike balance of the arabic lands. we
shall find small surplus in favor of the
Eastern domain for while not FIVE ner cent
OF the lands east of the Goth meridian are
are mountain heights and desert plains wholly
unfit for cultivation; besides we include
Alaska, valuable alone for its fisheries. furs
and timber, which are elements not likely tn
draw permanent population. Also within
the limits Of the Western domain. we have
embraced many millions Of acres of broken
tteeless upland over which the Indian and
buffalo alike roam during the summer season
in search of subsistence. wandering from the
sheltered parks of the Soath to the boreal
plains of the North. and returning as the sea-
sons and elements permit. This wide terri
tory of the Platte and it's tributaries cannot
be made to figure to any extent in our est-
mates of the movement of population. conse-
auently. we must look to other and more
available resources which offer inducements
to enterprise and labor commensurate with
the risks of emigration. To the east of the
twentie h meridian we now have over eighty
five per cent. of the present population. and
at least ninety-fve per cent. Of the wealth and
established manufacturing interests of the
I1nion