The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-06-17
A Unifora Monetary Systea for al Con
0crclal Nations.

n UuuOro monetary SyoG0m fOF Al CO0~
ocrcial Nations.
1t Is said that the French government has in
vited the European Powers to an international
conference on monetary affairs, which 1t is
probable win be held in Paris or Brussels this
month, and that England, Switzerland, Italy,
Belgium, Portugal and Spain are reported to
have promised cooperation. We do not know
what the specific purpose or plan Of the French
government is, whether 1t is to make uniform
monetary system for the commercial nations Of
the world or for any less comprehensive object;
but II il good movement, and in the end
may lead to that uniformity which is SO desira-
BILE. There are difficulties in tho way, undoubt-
eddy, asnd particularly with England, where
there 10 strong prejudice in favor Of the old
pound sterling system, and whore they make .
good deal out Of foreign nations in the way Of
exchange based upon thst system. Still there
is reason to hope England may yield to the
enlightened progress and necessity of the age,
as she is reported to be party to the pro-
posed international COME renee. The United
States government is not mentioned as one Of
the parties, but we can hardly suppose it was
not invited or would neglect being repre-
sented. In fact, our position as one of the first
commercial nations, and as destined to be
within short time the very first, entities and
calls upon US to take prominent part in such
o conference.
The present Is most favorable time for the
purpose, and Paris just now is the place to
hoII he Thn hOIo 10
sented there more fully than ever before. TIE
Great Exhibition, with the congregation of
sovereigns and statesmen there, and the liber-
alizing tendency of all that, make the present
time most propitious to establish . uniform
monetary system for all nations. IF the Empe-
TOR Napoleon should be the instrument Of
accomplishing this, he will add greatly to his
renown. History would give him greater honor
for this than for anything he could do in the
way Of military achievements France has
already accomplished great deal in simpli-
flying, both upon scientific and common sense
principles, the system Of weights and measures
Tho metrical system which she has established
is undoubtedly the best, and should be uni
versally adopted. Let her government now
take the initiative in Europe for the adoption
Of our simple and beautiful decimal system of
money. Now is the time to sweep away the
old homogeneous aad diversified denominations
Of money. In place Of the pound sterling,
with its subdivisions Of shillings and pence, of
the franc, of the guilder, Of the doubloon, and
Of all the numerous denominations and values
Of money, let the simple decimal system be
universally adopted by international agree
ment II would be OF immense advantage to
the general commerce Of the world. In the
course Of few years the people of every nation
would realize the benefit 90 sensibly that they
would wonder how IL was such q necessary
improvement was not made before. We hope,
therefore, the proposed international confer
ence will be held, and that uniform monetary
system may be adopted for the whole Of the
civilized world.