The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-03-25

The Magnetic Telsgraphs-Their influence
ON the Destiny OF America.
The great increase in the lightning hnes-the in
fiuence they beginning to have on trade, politics
and rslgion-has already attracted the attention Of
Statesmen and Legislators We notice that Massa-
chusetts has it in contemplation to enacta law in
corporate the propretors OF the telegraph which is
about to be established between this city and Boston,
and to provide, upon the conviction OF any person
wifully nurng the posts or wires, for the imprson-
ment OF said person. in the State prison for not more
than five years, or to be fined sum not to exceed
five hundred dollars.
This is an important, and a very proper move
ment, for, without exception, the magnetic tele-
graphs are yet TO form the most powerful element
in our social system
To the intellect and sagacity Of American philoso-
piers, the world is indebted for two of the most
wonderful agents Of civilization and refinement
ever conceived by man. An American mechanic,
the Immortal Franklin, by the AID of schoolboy's
Kite, appalled, the greatest minds Of Europe with
the magnitude OF his discoveries. He it was, who
by this simple contrivance, proved the identity OF
lightning and electricity and succeeded in drawing
the former from the clouds Of heaven, and held it
subjects his will. The philosophy of an American
republican, man of our own generation whose fer
tile mind was nurtured and expanded by our repub-
llcan Institutions, was the first to improve on the
discoveries of his predecessor Franklin, and make
that lightning subservlent to the purposes of man.
kind. Not only the speed of lightning is attained,
but lightning itself is made its own messenger
Distances heretofore considered almost unap-
proachable, can now be reached in second of
fhn rs ~sr,t,
In civizing mankind, the benefits of which the
nearest and remotest nations of the globe have ex-
perienced is distanced, and is yet to be super
seeded by the invention Of an American, descend
ant of the men who first proclaimed to down trod-
den people, the right of Gods creatures to the
fullest and broadcast liberty of thought and action.
10 the revolution achieved by those men, we say,
is the world indebted for these two great discove-
and steam. BY the effects of the
former, our race has increased in civilization and
refinement at rate never before dreamt Of; by the
latter revolution has commenced, which Is des-
tined to still further advance our species, and draw
us towards the climacterc of all that the most SAN
guine could desire
To America, especially, have these wonderful sci
entific achievements been eminently serviceable-
Our country, few years since, an impenenable
wilderness, traversed by the red man alone, in pur-
suit OF game, its silence disturbed only by the music
of the babbng brook, its waters coursed over its
pebbly bed. and on whose surface the wild fowl
played its gambos since the creation, unafrighted
and undisturbed the forest trees, grown rank IN the
fruitful soil of natures garden, the luxurious shades
of which protected the men of the forest from the
scorching rays Of an almost tropical sun, and
formed natural ambushes, wherein to disguise
themselves, to surprise their equally willy foe-al
these have vanished, and cities towns and hamlets
now cover the space once occupied by the Indian
The gurgling brooks have been converted into mill
streams-the wild fowl may for while alleht on
its rothy surface, but depars-the eternal oak
and hemock have disappeared before the axe of tile
woodman-the fruitful soil produces food for man,
and the cunning Indian has been forced to retreat
before the torrent Of civilization, to the grounds
illuminated by the western sun-and the whole sur
face Is welded into one centre Of iron by the magical
influence OF steam. Such have been the changes
wrought by that discovery. The long contested
claim OF superiority has been yielded to the white
man, and the puff Of his locomove has driven his
savage foe to the setting sun.
But il steam has caused revolution like this,
under the genial influence Of republicanism, what
will not electricity perform under the same advan-
tages.
space was dlstanced by the former, time is out
runby the latter; and this even the start What poll
tical effect 1t will have on the destiny Of our country
Is confined in the womb Of the future But one fact is
cerain-he apprehensions INDUCED In by our states.
men and patriots, those whose eouls are centred
In the one absorbing subject-love of country-aye
useless. The inevitable consequences of Western re
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS acquisition OF neighboring
territory, through the force of moral influence alone
which few years since omened badly for the
destiny OF free government, may be now rather
sought than avoided. Let our territory be never 30
extensive-let it extend from the North Pole to
Cape Horn, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific
still, by the magical influence of electricity, it will
be as one family and one State As the arteries Of
the physical body the conductors OF life to the
most distant extremities SO will the magnetic tele-
graph be the means Of communication with the
widest portions Of our territory, vivifyine the
whole, and preserving the Union in its "mystic
meshes."
What can then impede the progress Of the United
States, and Of free government? and what estimate
should we put on this great agent, by whose power
we shall effect such wonderful propress3 Nav we
not, without detractng from the majesty of the Al
mighty, and without conceding to ourselves any sa-
pesor claim-may we not think that he has gra-
cously been pleased to give to this subtle agent,
Tor the purpose OF advancing with the great work
that ne has committed to usthe political regenera-
ton of our species, and the elevation Of the beings
whom ne has formed in his own shape Truly,
the prospect for the future is gladdening-
is thrice happy country, and her people peculiarly
favored.
WAGES OF OPRRATIvKs.-It is not for us to parti-
clpate in the controversies going on between polit
cal journals, respecting the effect Of our tariff sys.
tenn upon the wages of operatives; for these contro
yersies are of little use and prompted by adverse
interests; but we must exercise the privilege and
duty OF an independent press, in condemning the