The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-08-01

As TO THE FUTURE.

As TO THE FUTURE.
The financial editor OF the New York
Tribune predicts that the close of the
war will witness an enormous expan-
sion 81 business, Industrial and com
mercial. This prediction tx based
largely upon existing condi, ~..s az we'll
as upon the experience Of the country
Immediately following the close of the
civil war. If the question had been
asked In 1862, in what condition would
the war leave the country when the
strife In finally ended. the answer must
have been that the close Of the war
would And the country In such an ex-
hausted condition as would require
years of labor to overcome The en-
ormous cost Of the war. the tremendous
draft upon the lives and energies of the
people. the destruction OF vast accumu-
lations of property and the devastation
OF much of the richest agricultural re-
gions, all foreshadowed long period
OF depression from which the country
would slowly rise to a prosperous con
dition.
So far from this being the case. how
ever, the country Immediately entered
upon a period OF prosperity and de-
velopment never before equaied This
cannot be attributed 10 the expansion
OF the currency by the issue OF green
backs. as that method of expansion
came to a sudden end with the close
of the war.
The phenomenon can only be account
ed for By the enormous potential energy
OF the country. For a period % four
years every effort of the North had been
concentrated In the determination 10
put down the rebellion and preserve the
Union. As soon as this end was ac-
complished all the accumulated energy
Of the people. wrought tc the highest
pitch by the mighty effort and en-
Unused by success. turned at once into
the peaceful channels of business de-
veloprnent ana swelied II 10 a mighty
torrent.
The~present war found the country
just emerging from n long period OF
business depression. confidence In our
selves aud the future slowly returning.
and prosperous future seemingly as
sured. No wonder that the conserva-
tive business element OF the whole coun~
try looked upon the prospect OF war
with alarm. and predicted dire things
t. follow This class were apprehenslve
Of the result. and dreaded 20 see any
disturbance In the slowly Widening
channels Of trade. fearing that II would
take long time to recover even the
slight advance made.
They were wrong. The aar has taken
the dry rot cut OF The country. It's close.
now drawing near. viii witness an ex-
panslon In all channels Of trade and en-
terprtse hitherto undrcamed OF. This
expansion VIII he greatest on the Pa
WIN SOoSt afiN III tue SpAtn. 4uba ana
Porto Rico VIII he largely settled by
emigration from the South and West.
aided by the capital az the East. The
field offered Ia enterprise and capital
III those islands is most inviting. aud
Will add untold millions Ga tAe wealth
OF the country. \ few Years viii wn-
ness such y transformation IN those
fertile lands as The world has seldom
seen.
On the Pacific coast the acquisition
OF Hawaii. in conjunction wgth th,. in
terests probably t. h acquired In ;he
Philippines. vM enormously stimulate
commerce. Jast what interest \, ID. h.
acquired In the latter group Of islands
BY this country Is yet undetermined
We hope she result Will be absolute
eonttol That il Will Pee substantial
aud satisfactory 70 the people, = this
country and she islands We 81 not
doubt
The Tribune in yhe article reerrei
q. predicts ;hat ,hr largest business
development following the VAR Will b