The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-22
THE PAN-AMERICAN IDEA.

THE PAN-AMERICAN IDEA
The total OUTPUT of silver for the
world in 1893 was $a0S,3317. 100. The
yield in the United States was S17.J15.-
100: Mexico. S51 .357 600; Central and
South America, SO, 700. The total
of the American continent being 1853.
$500, or within fraction of "a per
cent OF the total output of the world
Great Britain shows up with the in
significant sum of S:921. 200 and her
Australian provinces only S26.5 .WoD
This exhibit is more forcible than
anybody's logic as q reason for the uni
yersal Use of silver in the western
hemisphere. 1t shows that the AmeIi-
can continent produces the bulk of the
silver Of the world. just as it is the
center of the grain and wheat sup
ply. The product Of the mine is just
as legitimate as the product of the
soil. If natural wealth in our grain.
meat and tropical fruits is the gift Of
a beneticent Creator. so is the hidden
treasures ia our great trans-cDntinental
range of mountains. 4 would be-
therefore, just as logical, and equally
fair 10 the people of the Columbian
of our surplus grain and pork, or the
beef from the plains of South Ameri-
ca. coffee from Mexico. or tropical
fruits from the Central American
ST Inv of iSla ~.
stop the coinage of silver Were the
product Of our mines an insignificant
item of wealth it would be different in
its results, though Officially wrong; but
when the enormous yield is taken into
account, it becomes Il question that
should interest every inhabitant of the
new world.
The argument that silver is not an
international currency counts for little
to the people who rightfully own this
great mineral treasure. What boots
10 the American that England or Ger
many. having neither grain, cattle nor
silver To sell adopt laws prohibitive to
the use of these products: Are we To
stop the plow, destroy the herds and
abandon the mines because the use
of these products are inimical TO the
laws of these European powers? Are
we TO accept this as conclusive reason
why we shall be shut out from devel-
oping the gifts which nature has dealt
out 10 us so bountifully: Certainly
no. If there is no better excuse than
the laws. national or information
then the sooner we discard such laws
the better, 10 matter how. potential or
long standing. they are insignificant
when opposted to the operation of the
great law of nature which guarantees
wealth as lies within reach. and which
by skill and industry he may use for the
bctterment of his race.
This question Of remonetiZing silver
in this country, and its use as IA money
metal by the nations of the earth will
be argued pro and con. 1t may be n
war of words. or the subject of diplO-
matte controversy for years 10 come.
but nothing will wipe out the fact that
it is to the financial interest of Europe
to maintain the single gold standard.
and that the western world has every
thing at stake in the reha bilitation of
silver. To this end what better policy
can we conceive or adopt than Il Pan
American agreement upon the money
value of this metal Let so many
grains represent so much value i'll all
products and let il be taken Interchange
ably between the American govern
mentS. and it will revolutiOniZe the
worlds commerce, not to say build up
a system OF natural markets on our
own coasts which will result in the
saving of millions annually to the peo-
pie Of this continent Incidentally
would come the building of an interna-
tional railway from north 10 south
which, of itself. would develop re
sources hitherto unknown. If such re-
proper use of our principal money
metal. why delay it: Shall the mill
ions toll and go hungry in order that
4 few may hold Il monopoly on the
real money" of the world: Shall I'M
limited, countless wealth lie hidden in /
The mines because existing laws. enact !
FL Ia restrict the commerce of the
world to certain markets. prohibit its /
Use far the purpose which nature in /
tended it: These are questions which 4
must be decided. and that soon.