Daily Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1854-1855, 1855-08-22
PAST AND PRESENT.

We see il stated that the Company ho
! are about to. connect Newfoundland With
Halifax, BY submarine telegraph, propose
10 furnish the foreign news 10 the American
press, in anticipation Of the ARRIVAL OF the
steamers, for the sum Of abou, $500 900 per
anlum, or S2,ooo per steamer. II is pre-
eumed that the news OF the New York
bound steamers could be anticipated several
days and that Of the steamers stopping ct
Halifax ten or eleven hours. The present
cos, Of the Hslifax despatch offoreign news,
received once fortnight, is said to be not
much under $4,000 year.
The sum of 5000, eco, for the Geographic
receipt OF the European ueas few days
earlier than il would be obtained BY the
ships regularly arriving at port, would seem
to be psying pretty high price, and if
person were disposed 10 speculate on the
curiosities of human actions, il might be IN
teres,ing to inquire whether the human
family are morally, meatally, or pecuniarily
benefited, by the great efforts which are
made 10 have instantaneous information
concerning the operations of IFS different
members. An cid sogy nigh, argue that
the aggregate of years business would be
the same, either as it regarded the amount
Of money or the amount OF Information. IT
the instaiman,s we're received few days
earlier or later; and some old people who
are iond Of remembering the past, are no,
indisposed to tell you, that men were as
honest. as intelligent aud in many cases
even as wealthy under the cid regime, as
under the hot-bed influence OF the present
high pressure system. But this is an old
fogy argument, and it is not to be expected
that the enterprising spirit Of the present
age would pay much attention TO the slow
coach doctrines OF past generation.
Sill, it is not improbable that some items
which characterize the operations of the
present day are paid for Ell too high a,s,e,
!. ana it may be that this extravagant expen-
tture has some connection with tie social
and financial defalcations that are somewhat
too profusely illustrating the curren, history
OF the world. Rivals in business must pro-
cure the earliest Intelligence at any con-
ceivable price, and rivals in the higher or
lower world of fashion must surpass The dis
pisJ of their competitors, without any re-
gard to cost, and too often withou, any SEN
sible reference 10 their ability OF main.sin-
ing the silly rivslship, A man who is dis
posed u keep the noiseless tenor OF his
way
.'Aleng The cool. .cqaesiered st,e Of life,.
is apt TO be regarded either as fool or a
drone, and is certainly bound to be thrust
contemporary aside by The eager and ad-
vancing throng, who see little merit in any
thiag bu, money. or in the glitter that re-
sembles and often subserVes all the purposes
of money. If be possess individuality enough
10 be sufficient society for himself, the isola-
ton may not be unpleasant, bu, be is looked
upon as al unfortunate creature By his more
prosperous and enterPrising brethren, and as
siyPe Of a nearly forgotten era.
We have no particular wish or die posi-
Lion to be censor ofthis prevailing tenden-
cy OF modern times, though we think it is
90 often the parent OF lux ury and extray-
sgance that produce no good fruits; and
While We look with interest on the working
of the problem, we would Willingly say
word in favor Of those old-fashioned people
whose tastes lead them TO enjoy life more
quietly, Than they could possibly DO BY in-
cooperating themselves with the surging
multitude whose whole lives are constant
succession Of amending exei,ements.