Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-04-06

rerficial estimate would easily make
population of 1910 at 101, 972, 266-or
about 3S,0oo,oO0 less than Lncoln's
actual count.
The next and last president to show
definite interest in the population
problem was William Mckinley. His
remarks on the subject are historical,
since. he was the first Of our chief ex-
ecutives to estimate the equation OF
population on the basis of the mean
ing of the signature of the nation, or
TIE great seal Of the United States.
In 1899, just prior to the census Of
1900. President Mckinley was the
guest of Chicago. He was called upon
to respond to the toast. THE Great
Seal of the United States" and spoke
In Fart, as follows:
"On the reverse side Of the great
seal OF the United States authorized
by congress June 20. 1882. and adopt
ed as the seal of the United States of
America after its formation under the
federal constitution. is a pyramid,
signifying strength and Duration
Having described the meanings Of
the additional emblem, the president
continued:
in peace we have been signally
blessed. and our progress has gone on
unchecked and ever increasing in the
intervening years. In boundless
wealth OF soil and mine and timber
nature has favored us. while ali races
OF men of every nationality and eli.
mate have contributed their good
blood to make the nation what 1t IS.
From 3.920.214 in 1890, our population
has grown to upward of S2.00O,000 in
1890, and our estimated reputation to-
day made by the governors OF the
states Is 87,S03,2sl.
I'VE have grown srcxc - states to
As. We have annexed every sessctv Of
territory, from the coral reefs sni
cocoanut groves Of Key West to the
fey regions Of northern Alaska"
After dwelling on the immensely OF
the population and It's future destiny.
he concluded:
After 1923 years the pyramid stands
unbroken. II has had some severe
shocks. but It reT1ains immovable. It
had endured the storms OF war. only
to be stronger. II stands drmer and
gives greater promise OF duration than
when the fathers matte It the symbol
OF their faith"
President Mckinley was correct In
stating that the founders of our ma.
ton adopted the design Of an unhn-
ished pyramid. over which was placed
the eye of Providence, and beneath 1t
the date 1776, with q later motto set
ting forth the idea Of new order of
things" But he omitted to mention
that the reverse or pyramid side OF
the great seal was never engraved.
and never employed as q par. Of the
signature Of the nation. Such Is the
case, however, and therefore tho lncn-
ished pyramid is an unknown factor in
heraldic Americana.
The forefathers intended this device
to mean that not any generation Of
Americans would see the apex or
crest of population-that 1t woulf go
on to eternity. and the cope-stones OF
our populations strength and repub-
lican triumphs be placed by divine
and not human hands. 1t was grand
symbolic conception, but eagerness to
possess a seal. and slowness in hav-
ing It executed. changed our national
signature from q seal enpendant to a
seal enplacard. thus robbing later gen.
erations Of a splendid emblem of pow
sr and numerical greatness.
Nothing illustrates the magnificent
march of western civilization better
than the discussion In congress imme-
diately following the census of 1880.
and the said discussion also portrays
the progress In transportation. as well
as the western spread Of population.
AT that date q Mr.. Smyth of Virginia.