The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-03-11
A Positivtst Prophecy.

A very odd and, at the same time, very
dangerous publication Is now coming out In
New York. It is called "The Modern
" Thinker. An Organ for the most advanced
Speculations in Philosophy, Science, So
ciology and Religion" 1t is the organ OF
the disciples OF Auguste Comte, and so very
advanced" that 1t would be improper to
recite even its table Of contents. Odd as to
it's subject matter, it is still more odd as to
Its typography-black ink and white paper
being discarded because they are Injurious
to the "advanced " vision OF the "modern
"thinker." Alternate sections, OF half a
dozen or more pages. in green and purple
inks, appear on cream-colored paper, the
effect of which, to retrograde and unposi'
tive eyes, is disagreeable in the extreme.
At the close of the second number OF this
grotesque publication there is prophecy
which we reproduce 10 condensed form, for
the benefit OF whom it may concern and for
what 1t Is worth.
The Positivist prophet predicts first, that
the Democratic party will never contest an.
other Presidential election under its old
name and organizations safe prophecy,
after the events OF last year.
Next, he predicts that civil service re-
form, minority representation, the control OF
railways and telegraphs, and the extension
or the power OF the central government
will be the main issues In future political
campaigns-anotller safe prophecy after the
facts.
Next-and this is somewhat new-hs pre-
diets, within the comiLo ten years, the
worst financial panic this country has ever
known, more widespread and disastrous
than that OF 1s37-all debts created by our
paper money era will be wiped out or COM
promised, and land will temporarily fall to
half its present value.
This panic will be precipitated, in all
probability, by the failure OF the Northern
Pacific Railroad and, perhaps, OF the bank
ers who manage 1t. Amazing frauds In
connection with our railroads generally will
discredit all stocks, good and bad, and the
psnic extending to the National Banks "will
develop an amount OF rottenness In those
" institutions beyond the power Of imagin-
"ation TO conceive"
Fifth, he predicts that in ten years. time
the Northern Pacific Railroad will be re-
garded as one OF the most astounding In.
stances OF human credulity and folly. Sixth,
that when all the great Pacific railroads
break down, as break they must, an imms-
diate demand will be made for the govern
ment to control and run them-and this
will be the entering wedge for the tnal con-
troll OF all means Of rapid transit by the
central government.
Before the breakdown OF our railroad sys-
tenn, he predicts, seventh, that corruption
VIII be rampant In Washington-the rail.
road rings will run the government wherever
their interests are at stake-and he winds
up with the eighth and last prediction that
few will heed his prophecies, and after they
prove true they will have been forgotten,
thus furnishing another instance OF pro-
phet's being dishonored by his own people.
All OF which is fair example OF the out
come Of advanced modern green and purple
Positive thoughts. Nevertheless, the predic-
tlon Of financial panic within the next two
years may deserve some consideration from
the blind and degraded beings who are con-
tent to read newspapers printed with black
ink.