The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-10-19

mum AZ we can ever hope 10 be. I'm
afraid shall not live TO see that condi-
ton Of affairs, but am . firm believer
that the world Is growing better"
Governor Francis, OF Missouri, has On
interesting conception OF the future So
cial and political millennium. which he
thus outlines
A condition of perfect happiness IL
impossible, and the only form that the
nearest approach to it can take is that
recognized 80 long ago In Athens and
Sparta-liberty aud good government.
/ am not looking Backward but look
ing forward for such a state. The
splendid span of government which we
enjoy is q great improvement in many
ways on the republics that have Hour.
isbed and passed away III the lass S.Oco
years. AgovernmeDt lie like a machine.
1t is constantly improved until 1t
reaches that condition OF perfection
when improvements no longer improve.
believe the first example OF an ideal
condition will be found in this country.
Half our resources are not yet devel-
oped, and the United States can support
ten times the population that 1t now
has. The Malthusian theory has no
terrors for the man who studies this
country. The race is progressive, and
and ii is possible that in the twenty
first century the people will look back
on the men of today with pity, and set
them down as barbarians baskiDg in the
first rays of civilization. Perhaps what
we now consider as a splendid plan of
democratic government will be set
down as the crude outlines of q mag
nificent scheme for the elevation OF
man, which will then reach its highest
development. Such views are justified
by AN analysis of the past.
In contrast to the most hopeful con-
ceptions of millennial happiness which
may one day dawu on America and the
world, let the reader stop a moment
and consider the situation which OBJ
tanned in this world Just four centuries
ago. and say whether after all the mil
lennium still lIesiin the future. The
words are those of Columbus 10 one OF
his bJographers:
1t is certain that the land among
these people is as common as sun aud
water, and hat mine and thine, the
seeds OF all mischief, have no place
with them. They are content with &C
little that in such large country they
have rather a superhuity than scarce
ness. They seem to live in a golden
world, without toll; living in open
gardens, not intrenched with dykes
divided with hedges. or defended by
walls. They deal truly one with anoth
or. without laws, without books, with
out iudges. They take him for an evil
nisChievous man who takes pleasure in
doing harm to another. Although they
delight not in superfuities, yet they
make provision for increasing the root,
whereof they make bread. They are
content with simple diet whereby
health is preserved and disease
avoided"
From another source comes this pct
ure of the people of Hayti:
THE people existed IN a primatlve
and savage simplicity. which some phil
osophers picture as the most enviaolt
on earth. They we've surrounded with
natural blessings, without even q
knowledge of artificial wants. The
fertile earth produced the chief part OF
their food. almost without culture. The
rivers and seacoast abounded in fish
and forests in game. This to beings OF
their temperate habits was an abund-
ance. and what nature furnished thus
spor taneOusly they shared with all the
world. Hospitality was law of nature
universally observed. There was no
need to be known. Every house was
as open to the stranger as his own. II
anything were ASKED of them they
never said no, but gave"