Year: 1873

]
ton of finances, the following commu-
nication to the Daiiy Graphic may be
of interest. The writer says


Would you oblige me by publishing
Thinker" No. 2? 1t was written in Sep
tember, 1872, and | think you will adj
NIT it was very good guess Gf it was a
guess as to what has since taken place.
But if not a mere guess, but a vaticina-
ton founded on a distinct theory, sure
ly this theory (Which L had then III my
minl) would be valuable one for the
consideration of the business public.
Those who have any doubts as to the
fact of the publication of the article at
the date indicated above can see copies
of "The Modern Thinker at A. J.
Davis book depository, No. 2G Fourth
street. The railroad issue had not come
to the front in public discussions at
that time, and no one then supposed
that the Democratic party would show
the weakness it has since exhibited.
However, here is the article.


Yours, The AUTHOR.
Irrom Modern Thinker No. ., published November,


lS72.l


1t is now commonplace of modern
thought that ability to predict establishes
the validity of any science. To prove
that sociology has made some advance
in the direction of certainty, 1 venture
upon few generalizations touching the
future


l. predict that the Democratic par
ty will never contest another Presiden-
tial election under its old name and or
ganization. The new anti-administra-
ton party will have another name, and
will fight under new leaders.


2. | predict that questions of admin
istration, such as civil-service reform,
minority representation, the control Of
telegraphs and railways, and the extern
sion of the powers Of the central Gov
ernment, will be the main issue in fu-
ture political campaigns.


B. l predict that within the coming
two years this country will experience
the worst financial panic known to its
history. 1t will be more widespread
and disastrous than even that of 1897.
And all the debts created by our paper
money era will be wiped out or COM
promised. Land will temporarily fall
to one-half its present value.


4. This panic will be precipitated, in
all probability, by the failure OF the
Northern Pacific Railway, and perhaps
of the bankers who manage it. This
will bring to light such an amazing
amount of fraud in connection with our
railways as to discredit all stocks, good
and bad. The bears will hold high car
nival. The men of most repute in tinan-
cial circles and on the street" will
prove to be common cheats. While the
panic will commence, from all appear
ance, in railway circles, and will be con-
fineu for time to the new Western en-
terprises, it will spread finally to the
national banks, and will develop an
amount of rottenness in those institu-
tions which is now beyond the power of
the imagination to conceive.


5. predict that in ten years time
the Northern Pacific Railway enterprise
will be regarded as one of the most as
founding instances of human credulity
and folly. 1t will be matter of pro-
found establishment that among a bust
ness community tens of thousands of
sensible men could be found to invest
money with hope of profit in a railway
which began nowhere, ended nowhere,
and ran forthe most part througha howl
ing wilderness. That this road may be
built is possible; that it can be made to
pay for the present generation is too
crazy a chimera to be for moment en-
tertained.


6. | predict that when all the great
Pacific roads break down, as break they
must, an immediate demand will be
made for the Government to control and
run them. This will be the entering
wedge for the final control of all means
of rapid transit by the central Govern
ment.


7. predict that before the break
down of our railway system, corruption
will be rampant i'll Washington the
railway rings will run the Government
wherever their interests are at stake.


s. predict that very few will pay any
heed to these prophecies, and that after
they prove true they will have been for
gotten, and another instance will have
been given how prophets are not honor
ed in their own time and nation, in the
fate of A PosITIvIsT PREDICToR.


THE CLOSEST MAN.


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