Chapter 8

If the example of France and the Netherlands--two of the soundest and most conservative nations in the world--be similarly taken as an index to the probable use of silver, it appears that these two nations average $12.50 per capita. To supply the rest of Europe to the same extent will require an addition of $3,563,000,000 to her present stock of silver, or about three-fourths as much as the present coined silver of the world. In view of these facts, is not the real question, not whether there is gold enough, but whether there is both gold and silver enough for the future monetary requirements of the world? Does it not seem that the nations are soon to be confronted with this dilemma: that the product of the precious metals must be greatly increased--and is that possible?--or that for the want of gold and silver there must be a serious check to the progress of civilization?

End of Project Gutenberg's If Not Silver, What?, by John W. Bookwalter