The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-04
The Country in 1880.

II Is estimated that the census OF 1880 will
give the State OF New York population OF
about five millions. The population OF this
city now exceeds million, and the decen-
NAL national census, which will show the
exact figures, will probably put it some
where about eleven hundred thousand MIR.
EDWARD ATKINSON OF Boston lately told an
English friend. as he informs n reporter of
the HctUH, that within the lives of mon Of
middle age now living the nation will num-
bcr ono hundred millions"
Perhaps Mr.. ATKiNsoN's figures are too
large, though they tally with the estimates
of the growth Of the population made a
quarter OF a century ago. Up to this time
however, owing to the interruption to ma
tional progress and the loss OF life and dim
mutton i'm the number of births caused by
the civil war, together with the diminished
immigration due to the long period of COM
mcrcial depression from which we are just
emerging, tho advance Of the population
has not kept pace with the rate of increase
prior to 1869. But the statistics of immigra-
tion show thatit has this year begun to take
a now start end it is this fact added to his
snuguinc expectations Of national prosperity
during tn" remainder Of the century, which
probably Induces Mr.. ATKINSON to estimate
the population Of the United States at the
end of the next thirty or forty years at the
vast total OF ono hundred millions.
There is no doubt that reports Of prosper
Gus timcs here and an active demand for
labor sent to Europe, would speedily swell
the numbers Of the immigrants, already in
crcasing. Thus. for the first quarter OF this
year the aggregate Of arrivals at Castle
Garden reached 10. SIS against s.laS in 1878. a
gain Of 1850. or about twenty-five per cent.
Meantime the growth ~ tho value of real
and personal property in the United States
has been moro rapid by far than the in
crease in population. The total true Yalua-
tlon according To the last three censuses
was, in 1850, S713j.75l.22s; in 1860, Sl6,l59.-
GlGo6s: 1870. S3),OGs, 5is.j97 That is, be-
tween 1850 and lsG0 the wealth Of the coun-
try more than doubled. and between 1850
and 1870 it more than Guudrupled The law
pas-rd by the last Congress providing for
the taking Of the next census was the NEST
perfect census law yet enacted. and II the
enumeration and valuations made under It
are intrustcd 10 men Of accuracy and con-
scientiousness in all the States and Terri
tories, we shall get. in 1850. a census which
will give n better idea Of the actual con-
| dition Of the country a. to wealth and sop
ulation than we have had at the end OF any
/ other decade.
The decline in money values for the last
/ few years, brought about by the return to n
metallic standard. must. Of course affect the
totals which will be obtained, but the fig
urcs will more truly represent real worth
than those Of 1870, gathered in n period OF
/ initiation. II is not safe, therefore, to eN-
1 poet any such increase in the aggregate
valuation as that which took place between
1852 aud 1870. Yet that there will be an in
crease which will indicate the progressive
growth OF the country in solid wealth, there
is uo doubt
We agrcr with Mr.. ATKINSON in the opin-
ion shat" in whatsoever else We may hc found
/ wanting we cannot long be kept back in our
material PR -pority. which will be shared
with absolute certainty 10y every one who
brings 10 ihr work health, integrity, and
energy" The people are all right, and
many Of the conditions Of successful bust
moss are present The great and only
bars 20 attaining il now are Government
of Fraud, which they hold in contempt and
the horde Of Useless olllcoholdcrs they have
to feed and enrich. OF these, however by
the exercise Of the free ballot which they are
resolved 40 have. and for which their repre-
scntativcs at Washington are now lighting,
we shall have the chance to relieve the
| country I'm Issl