The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-10-16
The Electric Telegraph Phenomena in the
United States.
IRrom thr Ron CON rim.e. sept fol


As mere mercantile adventure, the electric
Telegraph has, in England, proved comparatively a
failure. lie practical results have disappointed ex-
pectaton, end thus the most wonderful discovery
OF modern times IN To US almost without utility, and
serves, indeed, for the most part, simply 10 excite
wonder al the marvellous feats achieved by mo-
dem science. IL is talked Of, wondered a., and
| neglected
In country ieeming with population, and that
population bound together by the most intimate,
social, and commercial tics, the means OF rapid,
tar}, and cheap communication would seem to
rank among the chief necessities Of lite. When,
therefore, we behold offered to such a community
mode OF corresponding that in despatch surpassce
the Widest flights and imaginations Of fable
which, while thus tremendously expeditions, is
sito easy and ssfc-and ind, nevertheless, that
this great seeming advantage is generally neg
kcied we are driven TO inquire into the causes Of
% extraordinary result Turning our attention
70 oher countries, inhabited by nations IN similar
state 81 civilization, with the tame habits subject
TO the same wants, and employing In all things
SIMILAR Appliances and means 10 the furtherance OF
their ehds public and private, we behold n result
IN this one particular wholly different from that
which our own country presents. II We look TO
our brethren the other side OF the Atlantic and
bear IN mind the circumstances peculiar 10 them
ihoee, IN fact IN which their condition is different
rum our own-we shall be inclined yet more TO
marvel at the dssimilarity in the consequences OF
The discovery TO two people so situated. la the
United States Of America, the electric telegraph Is
nov common necessity, and ~ general use. II
belonging to the republic, and as a mercantile
speculation, u is said TO have proved eminently
succeftinl Now, IL we consider the scattered
state OF The population, the ANAL proportion IL
bears TO the extensive country they inhabit, aAd
the nature ~ that country, we cannot fail to adj
mir. and applaud the ssgaci'y and energy evinccd
ny the Americans IN thcir immediate adoption, and
successful and general application, Of this most
wonderful sDs, In their hands, most useful inven-
Ton. And NJ we compare their employment Of IL
With our own, we must acknowledge that we have
\ Ia IN he m afg had
We msy seitct one instance az an illustration Of
The tucctts which has attended the discovery ia
TIE United States; end we make this choice be-
cause OF me great dhhculues which have been
The Ohio, Indiana, aud Illinois Telegraph Com
penp, We ere told, has already one Thousand miles
oi I'm. IN working order. and this through a coua-
W covered, not With human dwellings, bat dense
AUD almost imrrvious forests thus eIhibi,ins
snoihtr and striking instance OF the ussde M
winch the latest discoveries Of modern science are
msoe suoetIs'ent 10 The wsnts OF conmusilies at
the very commencement Of their existence. liam
century sibee, Wild beasts, aud still wilder In.
diane, ~sncsrd over the lands now trayer.ed IN |
rrIieei security oy these frei wires the mysterious
r. h~ ny winch human thoughts aud desires are |
lnsds to ,Y,tl, i9.et as RAPIDLY as they are con
ceNedh This Vai. zion from a Wild and bsrbarous |
ondiiion Ia that ~ the most eab-rate cyihsatiop
hss MOI neen ef,dasl, but instantaneous. Civil
,suon mas not here az hrst dimly dewned. then
slowly advanced, gradually working its way /
aRshtt oGpctng difficulties 60 its ultimate pcrfec
Ilon, Dot has At ose bound lsaped iaso lde. sur
'oOuoed ~nh tvtfy appliance and means which
me tiit'ing hnswledge 81 maa has devised for
IL bic ants aud his enjoyment The
railroad end The sleciric teleRrab. the steam en-
lLs, snh al " muluriied variety Of nses--in
mile. In boar, en- rivers end eapsls and in ehirs
m ehts that IN fact are inland 90 ss--svery sort
y nss hinery, every chemical discovery. all Pcss
iesl d,ecoNtiisf, m short, have ben Immediately
nlloI.d IN 'bsse new States. an Of Which have
zen hskstd within ihs n.s ssou Of kvhs .~.s