New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-10-12
An Editors PrOphecy.

The Modern Thinker. published in De
cember, 1872, contains the following predic
tons by d. G. Croly, of the New Yorl
Herald, based. as he remarked. on facts OBJ
vious to everybody. How far these predic
tons have come true, our readers will
Judge.
1t Is now commonplace of modern
thought that ability to predict establishes
the validity OF any science. To prove that
sociology has made some advance in the
direction OF certainty. venture upon few
concentrations touching the future:
First predict that the Democratic par
~ Will never contest another Presidential
election under its old name and organiza-
ton. The new antiadministration party
Will have another name. and will fight I'M
der new leaders.
Second predict that questions of ad-
mlnlstratlon, such as civil service reform.
minority representation, the control of tele-
graphs and railways, and the extension of
the powers OF the central government. will
be the main issues in future political cam.
paigns.
Third! 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 be
wiped out Or compromised. Land will tenn.
pordrlly tall to one-half its value.
Fourth-The panic will be precipitated.
IN az probability. by the failure o: the
Northern Pacific railroad, and PERTAINS the
banhers who manage it. This will bring TO
Asht such an amazing amount of fraud in
connection with our railroads as to dis.
cfedit an stocks. good and bad. The bears
Will hold high carnival. The men of most
fIn y1Cg,,
street Will prove to be common cheats.
w ME the panic will commence. from ali |
appearance. IN railroad circles. and will De |
coniined tor q time to the new Western on. |
lerprises. 1t VIII spread finally to the ma.
iiona. banks. and will devotion an amount
,. fottenness N those institutions which is
10" beyond the power of the Imagination
% conceive.
Fifth. p-adic. that in ten years, .;me
he Northern Pacific railroad enternri.e viii
20 regarded as one OF the most astor,dino
instances OF human credUlty and folly. 1t
S'l 'c a matte: OF profound establishment I
has among business community tens Of
hoIsands OF sensible men could be found |
o invest money. with a hone Of profit. in a
aAr'a6 "hich began nowhere, ended no.
: here. and ran Cor the most par; .hro-,yL
owing wilderness. That this road NAV bs
Nilt Is possible: that il can be made to pay.
or o the present generation. is too crazya
hlinera TO be 10: a moment entertained.
S!Xtsi~. predic: that when al, the yrea.
'acltlc roads break down. as break ther l.,
lUst. an immediate demand will be made
u tee government 10 control and RIM
hem. This will be the entering wedge for
~, J. .lnai control OF all means OF rapid tran. ;
i by the eentra! government.
Se"enth--i predict that. before the hrcai.
own ct or railroad system, corruption will | +
rampant IN Washington; the railroad .
ng' vii! ruH the government wherever .
leIr interests are at stake.
Elsht!l-l predc: that very few vii, nav .
~ heed to these prophecies. and that, after /
icy prove true. they will have been forgot. .
n. ana another instance viii! have been .
ven how prophets are not honoyed in their
VIA time aud nation. III the fate o: q pos;. n
Sc p:ed:ctor "''