, 1873-10-04

*'A-" A]+AAt 1eks* - Ao1es
GENT1IEMEN Tho articlo entitled IA Modern
Prophet" appearing on pago 16G Of the Modern
Thinker No. 2, was dictated by me to Alfred
Ford, vol known stenographer aud journalist
Of this city, n September, 1879, and Was by him
transcribed for the pross, mud published in tho
magazine, as you state, in tho following Decem-
bcr.
would not say anything about this matter
were it not tint the prediction has been claimed
by the HpiritualiBts as being iu somo way obtained
from superrnundane sources.
7 have no relatsons whatever with 6piritualists.
entirely disbeliovo tho explanations they give
Of certain curious phonomena that have been
obaeryea. believe the tino iB not fur of when
all these phouomona will DO explained in a way
to satisfy tho scientific world. + hnve no faith
believe that there is solitary yorinable in
stance Of tho manifestation Of Intelligence by =
dead person.
Tho predictions which made In September
1872, wore based on facta obvious to every one.
It Ia worthy Of notice that wo have now de-
partmont Of literature Bpripging up. which in-
wolves speculatiouB concerning tho future. Bull
| wcr'a Coming raco," tho " Battle Of Dorking,"
hlaitland's BY and By" Greouhorn," and
such works are specimens Of this Kind Of vatfcin-
atiye ltarnture.
When everybody realizes that the courBe Of
| human events is entirely controlled BY law, aud
not by "superuatural Wills,n' it will DO much
orSf or tb1as to o5sca future 'vis n e. dnoxs no gun
' iea East Ti,irty-Eghth Street, Now York.
Tho following are tho predictions referred to
tTo, jfodern Thinker 40. 2, published December 1874
that abiy e p9ed&ct estabshes lie validity
any science. 10 prove that sociology has made
| Bo,ne advance in the direction Of certainty, ]
venture upon a few goneralizatons touching
| the future:
i. I prodict that tho Democratic party will
neyor consest another Presidential election uu.
| der its old nauo aud organization. Tho new
nti-Adn'inistratton party will have anothe,
name, and will fight under now leaders.
2. predict that questions OF administration
Buch AZ civil-Borvico reform, minority representa-
ton, the control Of telegrapls and railways, mt
the extension Of the powers Of the central gov
ornment. will be the main Issues in future politi
| cal campaigns.
.. I predict that within tho coming two ycarf
this country will experience the worst t1nancia
panio known, to its history. 1t will DO more
widespread and disastrous than oven that oj
1887. All tho dobts creatod by our paper-moneJ
era will be wiped out or compromised. Lanc
will temporarily fall to one-half it's value.
ability. By tbs fa,uro 70 of tic Northorn II pacifio @
Railroad, and perhaps the bankers who manage
1t. This will bring to light such nn amazing
amount Of fraud in connection with onr railroadt
as to diBcrodit all stocks, good and bad. Thu
reputo in financial circlos, and on the street,
will provo to be common cheats. Whilo the
pano will commence, from all appearance, in
railroad circles, and will bo confined for a time
to the new Westorn enterprises, it will Apread
1inally to the National Banka, and will develop
an amount Of rottennoss in those institutions
which ls now beyond tic power OF tho inagina'
tion to conceive.
i. predict in tan years. time tho Northern
Pacific Railroad enterprise will be regarded ii
ono OF tho most astounding In stances Of humnl
croGulity and folly. It will bo matter Of pro
found astonishmont that among business com
mnnity tons OF Thousands of sensible men coult
bo found to invest money with hope Of prof
In railroad which began nowhere, ended no
where, aud ran for tho most pnrt through I
bowling wilderness. That this road may b.
built ID possible; that it can ho mado to pay, fo
the present generation, is too crazy ohimora t<
be fora moment entertained.
@. predict that when nil tho groat pacin,
roada broak down, aB break down they must, a,
Immediate demand will DO made for tho Govorn
ment to control and run them. This will be til,
entering wedge for tho final control Of all mean
Of rapid transit by the central Government.
7. predict that before tue breakdown Of ou
railroad system, corruption will be rampant il
Washington; the railroad rings will run th
Government wherever their iutorosts ara q
stake.
! ., predict TINT worry fow will pay any keed t.
these prophosies, and that after thoy provo tru,
they will haye boon forgotten, and another Ia
stance will have been given how prophets ar
not honored in their own timo and Mutton, in til
fate Of A pOsITIyE pREDICTon,