The Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1893-1901, 1893-04-11

tlO,..i
Because there are children now living
who will realize fifty years hence all the
advantages that are likely to occur between
now and then il seems preferable to make
a forecast of half II century than Of a whole
century. There is something rraliZable.
sometl ing within sight, in fifty years.
Pushin- he prospect away IA hundred years
seems to make the vision too din and dis
tant for ptsctical purposes.
Up to this period in the history of the
United States its people have been busy in
developing oriy tina within its own Dor
ders. Ever widening areas have given
abundant opportunity not only for the
vast emi ration that has reached these
shores but for the natural increase of POI.
ulatiCl. The Development Of Iatural re-
sources 81 vat md varied ave rendered
employment Cyas-,ht and pr titable; enor
nous additiu : " C,nigrat n have pro
yided ready made Customers on the one
hand and abundant labor on the other.
Everything within the country itself has
contributed to its own Progress until now,
at the closing years of its first century of
progress, it has reached IL condition ut
which all the world wonders.
But with the first fifty years of the new
century these conditions will verX mater
ally change, so far rs the enormorS increase
i'll population is concerned. If the popula-
ton increases at the same relative rate in
the next five decades Us in the last fifty
years, the number Of people to he sustained
on this continent will he between i50, $50
and a0,0oo,U0o. If the field Of opportunity
is beginning to be limited when the pop,-
lation is less than 81. 900. 600, what will be
the limitations when the population reaches
three times HAT n,ppt,pfD II Is no eyt ru,r.
binary estimate to believe that 10, 0o0, 600
will need to find employment, need to be
governed. and, above all, need to be fed. be
fore boys and girls now born will cease to
live. The prospect is rather "A startling one.
1t is particularly so with regard to the
shape that matters are taking AS to trusts,
combinations and consultations. Ii com
petition is to be eliminated, production
regulated and prices fixed by the few. the
increase in population will find
conditions more extraordinary than ever
anybody dreamed of. If, for instance, coal.
which is the chief factor and force in civ
ili2ation, should he controlled by ten or Il
dozen men, Il would compel the govern.
nlent to take possession of all the coal
lands i'll order to be sure of supply and free
from interference. Equally so with oil.
with sugar and the thousand other things
now drifting into the control OF the few.
But the tendency in this TRANCE and
rather dangerous direction is likely to be
checked by the economic revolution re.
Gently witnessed in the presidential clcc
tien. The change whica is implied in the
election of Mr.. Cleveland i that I'm effort
will be made to build up ii trade other than
that which exists in the country itself. 1t
would seem that this change comes ut iic
most appropriate time, and that rcyolu
tion- resembling special providences como
only when needed, and when needed their
effects come tOs,Hy.
Ii the destiny of the country limited its
operations exclusively To within its own
borders, there would be precious little hone
iorthc "OU.uuH,O0b that in fifty years are TO
tie taken care Of in this country. But with
the world open is Il field, with taxation 10.
dHced To II minimum, without the need OF Il
standing army, with abundant supply OF
raw material, and with food products
cheaper than elsewhere in the world, il
would seem thao the Dc tiny nt tire Unitci
States included the creation of y
with foreign lands, exceeding that vast in
tcrual commerce which she has already
created within her own limits.
The extent and magnitude Of this inter
nal trade almost exceeds human estimate,
and Is on of the most wonderful demon
STATIONS If human progress the world las
ever seen, yet the foreign commerce Of
which the United States is capable is dcs.
tined 10 even exceed these enormous Zig
ures. and in that foreign exists
the hope OF the future general ions of this
continent.
Hence the revolution which now impends
in economic affairs is of great moment in
tie forecast of the next fifty years. If the
genius of the people of this country, it's in
yentive faculty, the Introduction of sUeam,
machinery, electricity and the forces that
nave chiefly contributed To the progress of
the United States are made as effective for
the benefit of the whole world rs they have
been for this country itself, there is no mp
parent limit, except the limit Of the world
itself, to the growth of wealth, to the aug
mcntation of opportunity and to the
achievements of this people. Fifty years
hence boys now living will ooh back with
wouderncut at the narrowne-s of the com.
p~rehension OF even great political parties.
who sought to restrict the operations of he
continent 81 vast in its forces to the dgvel
opmeut Of trade within Itself.
The growth Of the IN of Great
Britain j. the best Illustration oil what nay
occur ia the United States in the next Gfty
years under changed conditions The Brit
ish islands, which are "A mere speck upon
the map Of the world, levy tribute from
every nation under the sun. This they do
in spite of distance from supplies of raw
material, witt the necessity OF purchase Of
food products from distant chimes and IN
circumstance altogether disadvantageous
az compared with those existing in the
United states. If by the commercial policy
Of Great Britain she has regulated up to
this time the commerce of the world; II she
holds the supremacy upon the seas by her
great maritime wealth, and by her accumu-
lations Of capital she has regulated the
monetary affairs OF the entire financial fab
ric of the earth, surely the United States
can do more.
But il is not outside the continent alone
that 10 the beXt fifty years 80 much will DC
achieved. Turning nprthward, a region eX-
ISIS similar to the United states IN prod
ucts, exceeding IN area and riches those
which have here been developed a new field
oBens-HOt only for achievement within iut