The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1873-10-04

From Modern Thinker No. 2, published
November, 1872

November, 1871
It is now a commonplace of modern
thought that ability to predict estab-
fishes the validity of any science. To
prove that sociology has made some
advance in the direction of certainty,
I venture upon few congratulations
touching the future:
/. | predict that the Democratic
PARTY will never contest another Presi-
dental election under its old name
and organization. The new anti-ad-
ministration party will have another
name, and will fight under new lead
ers.
2. | predict that questions of ad-
ministration, such as clvilservlce re-
form, minority representation, the
control of telegraphs and railways,
and the extension of the powers of
the central government will be the
main issues in future political cam
paigns.
3. I predict that within the coming
two years this country will experience |
the worst financial panic known to its |
history. 1t will be more widespread |
and disastrous than even that of 1887.
All the debts created by our paper
money era will soon be wiped out or
compromised. Land viii temporarily
fall to one-half its present value
4. This panic will be precipitated,
in all probability, by the failure of the
Northern Pacific Railway, and per-
haps of the bankers who manage it.
This will bring to light such an amaz-
ing amount of fraud in connection
with our railways as TO discredit all
stocks, good and bad. The bears will
hold high carnival. The men of most
repute in financial circles and on the
street will prove to be common
cheats. While the panic will COM
mence, from all appearance in railway
circles, and will be confined for time
to the new Western enterprises, it will
spread finally to the national banks,
and will develop an amount of rotten
| ness in those institutions which is
now beyond the power of imagination
| to conceive.
5. l predict that in ten years time
the Northern Pacific Railway enter
prise will be regarded as one of the
most astounding instances of human
credulity and folly It will be mat
ter of profound establishment that
among business community tens of
thousands of sensible men could be
found to invest money with Lope of
profit in a railway, which began no.
where, ended nowhere, and ran for
ethe most part through bowling Wild
crness. That this road may be built
is possible; that it can be made to pay
for the present generation is too crazy
| a chimera to be for a moment enter
tanned.
6. predict that when all the Pa
cific roads break down, as break they
must, an immediate demand will be
made for the government to control
and run them This will be the en-
tering wedge for the final control of
all means of rapid transit by the cen
trail government.
Z. / predict that before the break
down Of our railway system, corrup-
ton will be rampant in Warrington;
the railway rings will run the govern
ment wherever their interests are at
stake.
s. | predict that very few will pay
any heed to these prophecies, and thai
after they prove true they will have
/, been forgotten, and another instance
! will have been given how prophets
| | are not honored in their own time anG
nation, IS the fate of
4 POSITIVE PREDICTOR
The Warrensburg (Mo) yourna
f gives some good advice to the farm
n ers:
$ One Of the greatest evils afhictin!
q the country is the growing prodigalit.
of the people, both in private and pub
g lie life. The farmers have we'll nigl
escaped this Generalization. The
|. are frugal and economical in thei
own expenditures, and it is fair t
presume will be no less careful of tn
e money of the public. We have befor
8. referred to the fact that they have no
n interested themselves in the primar
. work of politics to the extent desired
y Let them look to this now. TIL
Of honor, the perpetuity, and the success
G. of the Republican organization
If largely in their hands. They shout
y see to it that it does not fail in an
mission because of their indifference,
l., and that unworthy men are not nom
is mated through their carelessness.
~ Many of the anti-monopoly cand
" dates in jackson county, Iowa, hay
fe declined, and the Democrats, findir
o. that the hay seed dodge will not Wi
;: have called straight party CONVEX
ton.