Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-11-08
MANUFACTURING GOLD.

I;ecent years have witnessed the
production. by what may be termed
chemical processes, literally the man
ufacture of new metal, aluminium,
and its extensive use in the arts. 1t
may be said that the metal Is not
manufactured but Is only extracted
from the clay thai produces it. But
this point cuts no figure In the connec-
tion in which the metal is here re-
ferred to. For present purposes 1t
is sufficient to say that the prospector
does not find 1t in metallic form; he
sees it only as calcareous substance.
If from such substance go useful
metal can be produced, why cannot
gold be obtained in similar way?
1t Is known that 1t Is a most widely
dlffused substance. and that even the
waters of the ocean hold It In solution,
Recently there have appeared In
print statements to the effect that
gold has been produced from other
substances, and alleged scientific the
cries as to how this has been and can
be done have been elaborated. The
notions of ancient alchemists are be-
ing discussed, and that too in prac-
teal way by scientific men. who seem
10 believe IT possible for man to dis
cover the secrets by which nature
produces the yellow metal.
Suppose they succeed. what then?
| Suppose another Bessemer shall arise
who. by chemical process, viii
cheaper gold as he cheapened steel,
what will be the consequences2 Here
! Ia 81 theme for speculative contempla-
ton. To manufacture gold cheaply
would be to destroy it, This is q para
| doxical statement but true one. as
| any one can see. 1t is one of the most
useless of metals. and would instantly
cease to be used as money, the only
attribute that gives 1t value, We're II
to be produced by u cheap manufac-
turing process.
Would the discovery Of method
for producing gold eheaply be n bless
ing to mankind? The first results OF
such discovery would be
OF doubtful benefeence. The world
would be hewildered, The race
would find itself without a measure Of
values No man would have any idea
what he was worth SOlvcucy and in
solvency would be terms without def
nltions How to pay existing debts
and discharge eXisting contracts would
be problems that no man could solve.
The very heart OF civilization would
become as ashes, for gold Is the heart
Of the highest civilization man has yet
tanned would set up better one than
clety might ensue can only be specu-
lated upon.
But no new discovery In science ever
yet wrought the permanent disadvant-
age Of the human race and Il plausible
line OF reasoning leads to the belief
that a discovery which would totally
destroy all the gold there is in ia,
world-or its value, which. In a sense
Is the same thing-would work No
harm TO mankind that would long en-,
durc. A new standard of value would
be devised, and established and en-.
forced by law; ana there is little doubI
that the intelligence and sense OF jus.
tlce TO which the present age has at.
tanned. would set up better one thar
gold now Is,
In view of the achievements science
Is daily making. it is too much to as
sert that she viii not yet find som,
method OF extracting gold from tn,
. base associates among which &
abounds In nature. so easily as To des
, troy it's value as a money metal; an,
though chemists hold 1t to be an Gle