Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 September 1880 — America’s Industrial Supremacy. [ARTICLE]

America’s Industrial Supremacy.

“Every war, even a victorious war, » a national calamity.” So writes the Count Von Moltke, most suceessfol warrior. And he might have added: Tobe constantly preparing for war ia a national calamity but little inferior to actual warfere. In 1879, Europe expended tor military and naval purposes something near $800,000,000, and did no fighting. This great burden was borne chiefly by eight us warn, aa fellows: Russia, Great Britain, $153,510,000; France, $128,5W00; Germany, $101,626,000; AustroHtmgnrv, $53,074,000; Italy, $44,030,000; Spain, Turkey, Thia pvofiileaß squandering of money—which toe over taxed producers have to furnish—is unfortunately not the wboleof the blood tax upon Europe in times ot peace. The national debts of Europe, due almost entirely to past wars and preparations for ftrturo conflicts, amount to more than twenty billion dollars, theinterest of which the producers have to meet. About eighteen billions of debt stand against the eight powers above named. In commenting upon these facta, the duMriesa says that the United States comprise about the same area as the flNBt stale* of nave nearly one-fifth as many inhabitants. In all probability children now born may live to see United America equal in population to all Europe. From our continental position, any great aggressive wnr in America by American menu altogether impossible, and the prospect of great civil war is, wo are happy to believe, not less remote. Our strength is rapidly becoming so great —if it is not already so—that no foreign nations are likely to assail ns; and the aversion of our people to foreign entanglements is likely to keep us from offensive foreign wars. The natural advantages of America for diversified and prosperous industries are certainly not less than those eqjoyed by Europe; and our people are quite as capable as those of Europe of making the most of their industrial opportunities. The problem of industrial supremacy is, therefore, not hard to solve. The single advantage we enjoy in being free from the terrible war-burden of Europe, even in times of peace, and our practical exemption from risk of foreign wars, cannot foil to maintain us in our position as the most prosperous people in toe world.