The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-09-26
We are on the Eve Of a Prosperous
Fra,

Correspondence of the Lynchburg Advance.
The probability Of general expansion
of business far beyond any limit ever
heretofore known is considered by bust
ness men. A great many manufacturers,
economists of distinction, take the view
that we are on the eve of such an era of
prosperity as was never before witnessed
in any country. The grounds for this
rather extravagant belief or opinion, are
that the over-crowded centres of popu-
lation throughout the world will take
advantage of the present low price of
travel by water and rail, to seek new
homes in new countries. This is partic-
ularly true of Great Britain and Europe
The fear of wars and conscriptions, and
of panics and depressions, on the one
hand, and the anxiety of the masses of
the common people, on the other hand
to better their condition. will, it is az
gued, lead to a great outpouring of the
populations of crowded countries to
North and South America, Australia,
and other new countries. The theory is
very fine and plausible one. There is
no doubt that for the next three or five
years many more people will seek homes
in new places than for the past three or
five years 1t is also true that the ship
builders of Europe are buster now than
they ever have been, and it is probable
that the building of ships will continue
at a great rate, to provide transportation
facilities for those who wish to get away
from old homes. Railroad builders are
opening up lands and opportunities
where millions can find better livings
1t is therefore not an unreasonable an
ticipation to entertain, that there will
be such an outgoing as was never before
witnessed in the history of the world
This decentralization will naturally be
productive of host of benefits 1t
will threaten the foundations of existing
governments in Europe; it will also ieopar-
die the maintenance of vast armies and
navies; it will also jeopardize the pay
ment OF the enormous war Indebtedness
of the nations of Europe, that makes
the position of the people little better
than one of industrial serfdom
That the world is on the eve of one of
the grandest self elevating movements
is probable for some other considerations
There is no occasion, in this age of steam
and electrity, for people to live COM
/ pacted together. In early times walled
cities were a necessity; but in these days
Of equal rights and opportunities, no
particular advantage comes from the
budding together of the millions, either
in cities or nations; and the people are be-
ginning to feel that the wide world is as
mucn Jne1f aD1dlng place as their par
ticular localities where they happen to
have been born.
The worlds business is booming. Not
for fifty years, and we might as well say,
never before, was there as much work in
hand as is now in the shops and mills OF
Great Britain. The strike of the dock
I laborers of Londons is only the first up
| ward movement of Britains laborers
Iron and steel workers and coal miners
are al, already discussing general advance
The workers of Europe proper are
beginning 70 feel an impulse towards a
/ wider industrial liberty. They are agi
/ tating Tor shorter hours and higher pay
New thoughts are animating them, and
general upward movement of che serfs
OF the Continent cannot be long delayed
Throughout America all conditions
are favorable to. an extraordinary trade
The crops are heavy, work is abundant
and profits fair