The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1908-03-20
THE YEARS THAT ARE AHEAD.

THE YEARS THAT ARE AHEAD.
One of the most interesting of the
many problems which has ever been
thrust upon humanity, whether 1t be
considered politically or economically,
is the future Of the United States.
It's very vastness gives 1t peculiar
fascination. We are as nation still
very young and we have great
country-so great that it passes our
comprehension. Within it's limits are
three million square miles of territory
with a great variety Of soil, climate
and natural resources. Already we
have a population of eighty millions
or more souls. They are increasing
at a rapid rate When, however, this
population Is compared with that of
India where there are said to be
three hundred million people, or with
China where there are four hundred
million, we begin to recognize how
far the nation is from the goal which
it will ultimately reach. There can
| be little doubt but that this country
is richer and much more capable in
every way of furnishing the means
of life to a greater population than
either India or China.
The form of government is the
most favorable ever yet offered to
millions of people. Already nearly a
hundred million people are living un-
der one flag and that flag represents
democratic republic where the peo-
pie are the rulers. One of the queries
which reaches out into the future
naturally with more or less foreboding
on the part of those who make 1t, Is
whether this nation with its freedom
and its democracy can continue to
exist as the centuries come and go.
but this is one of the questions which
must be left for the future to decide.
It is futile to attempt to solve it, All
that each man can do now is to act
well his part and hand down to pos
terity untarnished and undimmed the
glory of the republic where liberty
and union are inseparable now with
the hope that they will continue tc
be forever.
But the question in regard to the
material future of the country may
| ln q a 4 10 M
proposition. James J. Hill recently
gave, in one of the great English mag
azines, an able article in which HI
discussed the growth of population o
the country during the next fift!
, years and the ability Of the soil t
feed the millions who will be her
=, even within the lifetime of peopl
q now living,
Figuring on the increase since 1886
Mr.. Hill declares that 1t is a conseI
vative estimate to add fifteen per cen
n each decade for the increase of birth
q over deaths and 100000 a year 70
the immigration. On this basis h
n shows that in 1880 the United State
q will have 142,0OO,OOO people and 4
@ 1850 there will be a population G
v 204 600, 900.
!, These figures, when thoughtful
G considered, are truly startling.
q means that within forty-four year
\. the wants OF more than two hundre
D. million people will have to be met
n the United States. The question
n an immediate one. 1t does not affe'
II some long distant and remote ag
It but, right here within period whic
h will pass speedily, this immen'
.e number of people is TO inhabit tn
Le land. What are they going to d
% how shall they be fed?
D. 1t is a great question, but 1t Is
of no means a hopeless one. When II
" contemplated how many thousands
people IN, Asia and Europe ,hye z
Is much narrower limits than ours, Il
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