The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-12-14
The 0ountry's Growth.
WHAT UNITED STATES MAY BE FIFTY
YEARS HENCE. POSSIBILITIES
AND DANGERS OF THE FU-
TIRE.

The following from the Chicago In
ter Ocean will furnish food for reflec-
ton and speculation 1t is estimated
that the United States will contain
15O,OOO,O00 people fifty years hence.
The natural increase of population, as
judged by the tables of the past, in
conjunction with the swelling tide of
Immigration from Europe, will accom-
plish this marvel of national growth.
When future historians record the fact
that the American colonies, with 3,OOO,-
600 people, developed into republic
of l50,0OO,0O0 in a century and half.
it will read like tale of the Arabian
Nights. Rome at its zenith had no
such population, nor one so homo
geneous in language, spirit, intelligence
and aspiration. This will be the might
lest republic of all history. Figures
alone fail to convey an adequate idea
of its probable vastness and power. Its
population will be equal to that of the
German Empire, France, Spain, Bel
GUM, Switzerland, Italy and Australia
combined. 1t will be match in war
for the whole of Europe or for any
other quarter of the globe. In the
achievements of peace it promises to
exceed any nation extant, or that ever
rose to wealth and splendor.
There is point, however, beyond
which growth of population cannot pass
without proving curse China would
be stronger nation day with half
her present population, and with more
general diffusion of wealth and inteli-
gence. When human beings become
so thick that they must heard in cellars
like animals, or dwell on RATS on the
water like rats or beavers, and when
law makers can no longer treat infan-
ticide as a crime. the limit of healthy
growth has been passed Density of
population is no longer source of
strength, but of weakness and alarm.
Lord Bacon commends the plan of
Henry VII, "To maintain such pro-
portion of land that it may breed sub
ject to live in convenient plenty, and
in no servile condition and to keep the
q plow in the hands of the owners, and
not in the hands of hirelings." This is
the true theory, and should not be for
gotten when the imagination is fired by
the panorama of national granduer soon
to be presented on this continent, for if
our nation is destined to exceed any
nation of Europe in population its cities
will also attain unexampled size. Is
there danger that I'VE shall soon begin
to have too many people!
A glance at statistics indicates that
the time for such forebodings is yet re-
mote. In no country of Europeis there
more general content and prosperity
than in France, and yet if the area of
the United States were as densely set
tied as that of France, there would be
room here for 6S0,000,0O0 people.
Extensive regions of the Pacific coast
arc at present not adapted for agricul-
tural pursuits, but they can be rendered
rich and fruitful by irrigation, and they
abound in mineral deposits of every
description, iron included, which would
afford employment and support to large
populations When Alaska has been
peopled amp the main portion of the
Union becomes somewhat crowded,
Canada, Mexico and South America Of
fer suitable outlets. By that time
European immigration will have pro-
badly ceased, or have become insignifi-
cant. When the poorer classes of
Europe are offered quite as attractive
inducements to remain at home as to
immigrate to this country, they will
prefer to remain at home. Remarka-
BILE political changes will be inevitable
in Europe if the country continues to
advance to its great destinies without
civil war or a failure Of representative
government