THE CONQUEST OF ARID AMERICA 



that of all European countries combined. Of this vast 

 mileage almost one-half was built between 1880 and 

 1890. When it is remembered that each of these miles 

 stands for about fifty thousand dollars expenditure the 

 cost of construction and equipment and that the work 

 employed an army of laborers and skilled artisans, who 

 in turn consumed great quantities of agricultural and 

 manufactured products, it is not difficult to realize that 

 the railroad development contributed largely to the na- 

 tional prosperity in the past. It was, of course, the di- 

 rect result of the great process of material conquest 

 which was going on. 



To the same cause was due the employment of 

 nearly three million people in trade and transportation ; 

 of nearly five million in professional services, of three- 

 quarters of a million in mining. The grand result is 

 seen in the fact that the national population grew from 

 less than four millions in 1790 to more than sixty-two 

 millions in 1890, while the total wealth mounted to the 

 incomprehensible sum of sixty-five billion dollars. 



Such are the stupendous results of the labors of a 

 great people applied to the resources of a virgin con- 

 tinent. Other people have possessed energy and genius, 

 and two of the European nations have enjoyed the bless- 

 ings of self-government. If republican institutions 

 would alone guarantee such results in the future, it is 

 hardly to be imagined that the sternest monarchy could 

 withstand the demand for their adoption. But the 

 transcendent factor in the result was the continental 

 expanse of marvellous resources awaiting the labor and 

 genius of man. 



Can there be any question that the abounding pros- 



10 



