Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-03-01
THE GROWING NATION.

There is retributive Justice in
the present political attitude Of the
new States. The Oldest and most
pOpnlOus, Dakota, was fairly en-
titled to admission more than eight
years ago, and has been shut out
all this time by the Democrats
because a small plurality Of its IN.
habitants Inclined against that
party. Gradually the other Terri
tories have come to sympathize
strongly with Dakota. Prior to
the last election Montana and
W ashington had for four years
been represented by Democratic
Delegates in Congress, but III
November last the Republican ma.
lOrity in Dakota was about 1900,
in Washington about 1000, and in
Montana about 5000. SO great a
change gives emphasis to the
declaration that every Year Of in.
Justice has cost the party perpe
trsting that injustice more than 1t
can hope soon TO recover.
West of the Mississippi there are
now thirteen and will soon be
seventeen states. In number al
ready Just equal to those which
originally formed the Republic, the
Trans. Mississippi States have
many times the population and
wealth producing power Of the
little Republic which Washington
helped to establish. But when the
census Is taken next year it will
probably appear that at least IL
0O0, 900 inhabitants are embraced
in the seventeen States and the
Territories beyond the great rlver.
Aud yet so rapid Is the growth in
population that this number,
though about five times the popu-
lation of the original colonies
when they achieved their indepen-
dence, will he but little more than
the increase of the Nation within a
single decade. The six New Eng
land States, New York aud Penn
sylvanid will probably have only
about the population of the region
west of the Mississippi which
became part OF the Union by Mr..
Je0erson's purchase from Bona
part.
The centre Of political power, as
of population, moves steadily west
ward, and is now to be found in
the State of the President-elect.-
In 1880 the centre Of population
was in Ohio and President
from Ohio was in that year elect
ed. Since that time the balance OF
power has been held by New York,
but probably 'or the last time in
the election which has placed
General Harrison in the chair at
Washington. Even if the next
Congressional election should he
beld on the present apportlonment,
I it will probably show that there
are Republican States enough to
elect President without :he aid
of New York. General Harrison
would have lacked 1 votes without
this state, but the new States will
add thirteen. On the old appOr-
tionment with these added there
wonld be Al electoral votes, of
which 20S would be required to
elect, and the States which voted
/ tor Harrison, without New York
but with the new States, would
cast 30 electoral votes. ln the
next apportiOnment, which ought
to be made before another Presl-
Dental election, New York may
not lose IN representation, but the
great Republican States of the
/ Northwest will probably gain, so
that the party which can carry
/ Indiana and The rest of the Har-
rison States will not have occasion
TO fear defeat, even if New Hamp-
shire could be led astray W tn this
State, New Jersey and Connect
cut. So true is it that the West
has become the ruling power IN the
Republic.-N. y. Tribune.