Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-12-25
ouR POPULATION.
The Rank Occupied by the United States In
the Confederation of the World.

OSSuIiSU W - lT1Ieu states In
the Confederation of the World.
"Ihis is a great country" we say,
sometimes earnestly, sometimes ironi-
cally. Few of us, perhaps, know what
is the real rank of the United States. So
far as population fixes that rank, China
stands first on the list. No census of
that country has ever been taken, but no
authority estimates the population of
China proper at less than tWo hundrod
and fifty millions, and that figure is
larger than the population Of Great
Britain and all its colonies and doneMv
denotes combined: Not very greatly in
excess, however, for the census of 1881
showed the British Isles to have a popu-
lation of thirty-tive millions; while the
dependent portions of the British EN-
pire had two hundred and fourteen mil
lion inhabitants.
Following these comes Russia, with
e~ighty-six and a half millions people in
Europe, and sixteen millions in Asia:
while fourth upon the list arranged ac-
cording to the number of people living.
under one flag, is the Government Of
the United States. When we consider
the state of civilization in China, and in
RUSSIA, and when we remember the
iacts regarding the people who owe al
leglance to Queen Victoria, we shall be
apt to fix the effective rank of our wv
country much higher than the fourth
place, If not actually in the first place.
For of the two hundred and fftv
million people in the British Empire.
India and Ceylon have more than two
hundred million; so that Great Britain
itself and all it's ~sclf-governing colonies
number fewer than fifty millions of
people. China, and Great Britain. then.
tae hrst two powers, are wholly or
chiefly Aslatic; and Russia, the third, is
Russia.
What is the present population of the
United States? In 1870 it was thirty
eight and a half millions; in 1880 it was
fifty millions, an increase of thirty per
cent. In the five years that have elapsed
since the last census the increase. if
maintained at the same rate, should be
nearly fifteen per cent.
In that case the addition to the popu-
lation should be seven and Il half mil
lions, and the present population should
be fifty-seven and a half millions. It is
not believed, however, that the increase
has been so great as that. There are two
reasons for doubling it.
The first of these reasons is the fact
that a part of the increase shown by the
census of 1880 was apparent and not
real, having been due to the greater COM
pleteness and accuracy of the later emu
meration. The other is that immigra-
fiNp hoe mt hno,, co oa+;-o 1,;.~A a.
last few years as it was toward the end
of the last decade.
Nevertheless, there has been a large
increase i'll population since 1880. This
is proved conclusively by some State
ensuses that have been taken this year.
Massachusetts, has made q very complete
enumeration of its inhabitants, and it's
growth, if continued at the same rate
until 1890, would give it an increase Of
almost twenty per cent. in the decade,
as compared with a little less than twen-
ty-three per cent. between 1870 and
1880.
Taking this indication, together with
that furnished by the census of Mime
sofa, of other States, and of the Terri
tory O fDakota, we may fairly say that the
present population of the United States
is fully fit -six millions-an increase of
twelve per cent. in five years. Twelve
per cent. added to 1ifty-six millions
would give us the population in 1890, if
the increase were continued at the same
rate, namely sixty-two and three-quar-
tiers millions. If we have really entered
upon a season of business prosperity,
this is q reasonable estimate Youths
Companion.