Smyrna times., 1894-04-04
cent. of the conditions The difficulties
cannot be ended by legislation.
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
What are the signs of the times? What
are the forces of the great prosperity of this
country? They are three. The first is its
overwhelming areas. The second is its
enormous profitable immigration. The
third is the rapidity in developing natural
resources.
If we had more States to cover we might
continue widening our area. But the States
are all taken up. Between the 45th parallel
and the Rio Grande, and between the At
lantic and the Pacific is all there is. There
is no new chance for new territory in this
country, unless the barriers that the Sena-
tor (referring to Mr.. Higgins) and l, in our
two different ways, are trying to break
down.
The great railroads are relatively fin
ished. Occupation is limited. There is an
exhaustion of public domain. No new set
tier can be placed in Minnesota, for in
stance, without displacing one already
there. About 40 per cent. of the land can
not be used. But 60 per cent. is tillable.
The rain belt is met at the north, and south
line of Nebraska, and the farmer is baked
until he reaches the humid confines of the
Pacific shore.
Look at the eloquent figures of the recent
occupation of the Cherokee strip. One
morning the United States government de-
CiAEGu OgOOO3OOU dCTts lIGo " S6bblbIS. 4nb
following night there were 100000 homes
there.
Profitable immigration has been great
good. The best that any country could
give came. And just think what this coun-
try had to give them Look at the steam
and machinery set in motion-the electric
ity-mills and factories throbbed. But with
the taking up of the land there came q
Limitation to the immigrants usefulness.
The next was the development of natural
resources, coal, lumber, copper, silver and
iron. But to-day almost everything is pre-
empted. 1t is now the economic condition
of trusts. Of this perhaps the best illustra-
tion is the Standard Oil. There are trusts
and combinations everywhere.
Here in this country we have arrived at
a new stage. In every direction there is a
process of re-adjusting going on daily. That
is what is the matter with the times. We
are undergoing change. We have not
yet realized the idea that we are not BOOM
ing. We cannot extend unless we move
into Canada or Mexico. We have got there
100 years sooner than we thought we would.
The speaker showed this in the enormous
movements of populations. The cities have
recently grown 60 per cent. while the farm
regions have increased only Is per cent.
Of an increase of Is, ,000,0 600, q total of three
and half have gone to the farms while
fourteen and half millions have gone to
the cities. Is it any wonder there is a strug-
gle for existence?
All that we eat comes from the farmer
and the fisherman. If they stopped what
would we do? When those men are limited
what will happen?
1t will not be long, in my mind, before
the farmer will be on top. He will get
tired of, as he is very nigh doing, of work
ing for nothing. Prices are changed abroad
because the British market is found in
Argentina and India for bread and meat.
The farm has borne the taxation of the
country more than the manufacturer.
The farmer will be relieved at the time
consumption catches up with production.
Mr.. Wiman said the way to meet the diff
Guilty is to stop trading within our own boz
ders alone but extend the market to points
all over the world. Once on an even keel
with the markets ofthe whole world there
need be no fear of what the people of this
county can accomplish. All you have tc
do is to apply the key and the portals will
open. Tax the world instead of taxing
yourselves.