The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-09-07
Privilege of Coinage Given to One Metal Should Also be
 Accorded to the Other
PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP
 SHOULD BE RESTORED
Conditions That Existed During First Half Century of Our National
 Life Are Favored by the Alabama Senator.

Montgomery, September 6.-(Special.)- Senator John T. Morgan has written a letter to the secretary of the American Mining Congress that Is to convene next Monday, in which he at length reviews the question of financial legislation which he believes to be necessary, and setting forth his views as to the position he be- lieves that the democratic party should assume on the question next year.
 copy of the letter was sent by sena- tor Morgan to his friend, State Land Agent John R. Mccain, and was today furnished by MT. Mccain for the columns of the Age-Herald The full text of the letter follows:
 The Letter.
 Warm Springs, Va, August 15, 1903 Mir Irwin Mahon, Secretary of the Amer ican Mining Congress.
 Dear Sir-The invitation, extended through you as secretary, to attend the sixth annual meeting of the American Mining congress on the 7th of September. Is very highly appreciated and would be galdly accepted if I could be present.
 Other public duties will, however, de- prive me of the opportunity to witness the proceedings of an assemblage. that is second to none of the movements of our people, in their efforts to promote and secure the general welfare.
 The subjects that are included in the field of research and the other work of the American Mining congress, are at the foundation of every important industry, and are at the beginning of all real pro- gress in civilization.
 As I view this subject in connection with the industrial, financial and social conditions in America, and more particu- larry In the United States, the American Mining congress is now in the position to -.seStre pofs,ssreiit arssa.-trs. effaer s,si- vantages and blessings to all classes of industrial people, in all the vast diversity of their pursuits.
 The power to which I refer is that im- perial and autocratic sway, possessed row, and always in the past as it will always be ir the future, by gold and sil- yer in controlling men and nations They are the magnets that guide the voyages of all the ships of state and will forever mark their courses.
 The 'drill' and the pick of the miner resurrect this power from the deep and hidden recesses where it has been buried by the hand of the Creator, for the use of man, and set apart by Divine Wisdom as an essential factor in His dominion over all other creatures.
 These carefully stored reserves of power are the true, vital factors in all the so- cia. governmental. moral and industrial progress that Is included in true civliza- tion whose march would come to dead halt In the absence of the compelling power of gold and silver money
 There are no potentates so powerful in their sovereignty, as money coined from these metals and none who can wear this dual crown of supremacy by divine .frbt hty nth ff1na boy hA drill and the pick of the miner.
 Both Metals Necessary.
 No civilized state can exist; no army or navy can be formed or moved; no civil or penal code can be conducted; no inter- change of commerce, among men or na- tions can be conducted; no trade contract can be legally enforced; no schools or churches can be supported without the use of one or both of these metals.
 The miners toll is therefore, the su- premest form of labor.
 These two metals, that are almost bar ren of practical usefulness for the sup ply of our physical wants, are placed above all other things in estimated value, by the universal consent of men and na- tions.
 It was so In the beginning. It has con- tinued through all time, and 1t will so continue to the end
 Ine unWT1tIen law that governs all the world, has made them the supreme ruling powers in the affairs of actual life, and in all government, with a sovereign power that no autocrat can deny or successfully resist.
 The danger of the imitation of gold and silver IS an argument that has no sup port in the experience of mankind. There is as much danger of piling up the waters of the ocean in permanent mountain rid Of mi nd silver accumulate in any country where they are not needed to supply the wants of trade and civilization.
 Danger of Imitation an Argument.
 The highest wisdom of men and na- tions is to leave the laws of nature un- disturbed, and to make the best use of things that are provided by the Creator to promote and secure mans dominion of the earth; and the worst folly is to destroy or cast aside what has been given us for any useful purpose.
 In the American sense, this sort of folly Is not oaly suicidal out it is craven, when it disparsges silver as a money metal, because, while the. eastern hemis- phere has, possil ly, the lead of the west ern hemisphere in gold producing areas, the western hemisphere is in fact. al- most the exclusive depository of silver ores.
 The rights of silver money metal are, thei efore, the especial care and charge of the American Mining congress. within the p:irview of their noble task.
 The results that must follow the cor rect settlement of gold and silver as money metals. on terms of just equality, are so important that I cannot conceive of a h. gLer honor that the mining con- rress could achieve than to lead in it's final adjustment.