1 62 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO STUDIES 



decline of the old form of religious belief; growth of cities, and emancipa- 

 tion of women. 1 



The effect of the disappearance of the frontier in diminishing the 

 birthrate must not be overlooked. The disappearance of the oppor- 

 tunities that the frontier has always presented to the poorer classes in 

 American society has had a remarkable effect upon the increase of popu- 

 lation among them. As the great increase in any population is always 

 in the poorer rather than in richer classes, the disappearance of the fron- 

 tier is a cause that will affect the natural increase of that portion of our 

 population that has hitherto furnished the greatest addition to our numer- 

 ical strength. 



The frontier has always been an attractive region to young and active 

 men. Without the laborious years of study that are now demanded 

 by modern education, these ambitious sons could leave the paternal 

 roof and seek homes in the western country, and with a reasonable 

 amount of energy might in time be assured of a competence and rise to 

 positions of honor and dignity in the state. Thus, the free lands of the 

 United States were silently bidding for the labor of able-bodied young 

 men and women, and offering opportunities that to great multitudes of 

 our people appeared more valuable even than higher education and 

 professional life. 



Hence it came that the strong and aggressive men and women left 

 their homes and settled and developed this western country. To exploit 

 the natural resources of any country does not require great education. 

 The men who came into the West in an early day were able at once to 

 begin the serious business of life. They married early and reared large 

 families. Now the age at marriage is more advanced and the reason is 

 apparent. The natural opportunities of the United States connected 

 with the exploitation of the virgin soil of the West are gone and the other 

 activities now open to our young men require more preparation. While 

 it may be doubted whether or not the young man has not as many oppor- 

 tunities now as his grandfather had it is quite certain that they are of a 

 different kind: they cannot be seized by the man without education. 



1 Ross, ibid. [This article discusses briefly democracy, decay of religious belief, and emancipation of 

 women as factors in thejieclining birthrate.] 



