The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1898-12-09

No Other Nation ~ ouid Part so cheap
~ with Its Precious Metals
rs We DO.

We DO.
II is a law OF gravitation that small
bodies OF matter approach and mingle
with large bodies. and il Is a law OF in
fluence that draws people who have felt
for generations the heavy hand Of ty-
:annical government TO seek TO come
under the protecting flag of free and
powerful government. Ii is this iniiu-
ence. this longing 10 escape the hard lot
OF oppression which they have suffered
so long under the misgovernmen of
Spain. that attracts the Enst and the
West India colonies of that effete old
monarchy TO the young republic Of
America. Cuba may try playing at in
dependent government for while TO
satisfy the ambition Of leaders, but
when the people of that island find they
can enjoy entire security and larger
degree of free government under the
United States flag than by attempting
TO set up nation of their own, the in
fiuence of the leading men of business
will steadily struggle to become col
ony of the United States. and enjoy all
the freedom and business advantages Of
territorial or local self-government,
with the protecting power OF the United
States to insure them safety against
petty instructions within and danger
from powerful nations without.
The advantages which Porto Rico
would enjoy as colony of the United
States over Cuba playing the role OF ma
tionality among powers of the world,
would or will exert an irresistible infu-
ence TO become a colonial, instead of a
national power. The same influence
which will shape the destinies of the
West India islands will act similarity on
the Philippines. The very decree Of
destiny will command this country 10
aid the Pacific archipelago to reach a
higher state of civilization and enjoy
the blessing of liberty under local self
government.
The first problem these ten or twelve
millions of people separated from the
medieval rule OF Spain will be the finan.
cial problem. They will look to the
United States to furnish money with
which 10 prosecute business. There Is
no other source from which to draw
than the United States. and there is nc
money supply equal that of silver, es-
pecially for the Pacific countries. The
eastern people are silver-using people
and their greatest demand will be for 6
large supply of silver coin. The Philip
pines furnished with American silver
would draw not only the trade of these
islands to us, but that of the entire east
ern continent This great demand
would absorb all the silver our mines
and those of Mexico could produce.
In regard 10 money and the none,
metals the United States holdsa position
entirely separate and distinct from al
I European nations. The latter have nj
silver mines worthy of notice. The sill
YER and gold mines of the European con
tinent have practically been exhausted
centuries ago. The United States pos
sesses the richest silver mines in the
world. European nations have to pur
chase silver to keep up their supply OF
subsidiary coin. and it is an advantage
10 buy silver at half its coinage value as
long as America is blind enough TO sell
its silver at such ruinous rate.
In themattero Of paper money the Unit
ed States. when they issue paper money
issue it direct, but European govern
ments deposit bonds in their govern
ment banks and the banks issue the
notes. This is the privilege our gold
bank trust is making such desperate
fight TO retain and ampilfy.
Had Germany. France or England Tho
rich silver mines that the United States
possess, neither would sell its silver al
half its money value 10 enrich otlei
nations. The minis would be opened
and money of full legal tender value
would flow into the channels OF trade
increasing the power and wealth o.
the nation.
We have a triple, we might say
quadruple, incentive to turn the silver
of our mines into money, in place OF
throwing il half away to benefit for
eirn nations. The United States have
many times the territory of the com
bined territories Of the three leading
DdtOns OF I-ulOpt. We ha'e shiSs
times the railroad mileage of these ma
tions and our domestic trade Is greater
than that OF those three nations com
bined, and it is sorely cramped fol
money TO enlarge, increase and conduct
il. Our silver mines with open minis
would turn out at least 100000, 900 pei
year which would enter into our circu
lating money without the purchase OF {
single dollar. The product of the minel
would not only serve him in providing
himself and family with the necessarie'
and comforts Of life. but would leave
him like the mountain streams thai
washes his ore, and flow on helping Il
increase the volume and power of the
great financial stream that gives lifs
and activity 10 trade.
| Now that we are about adding. Of
virtually adding. some 10 100000 to II.
600. 900 people. TO our nation. whose
greatest need for development is a SUI
ficient volume Of money. and the kline
OF money they have been accustomed
10 through all time--silver money-th'
demand on us TO create our silver int
money becomes doubly great Our sill