The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-08-08

The Atlantis Teisgrsph IN Europesn,
Not an Ameraean Neoeesaty.
When the first Atlantic cable was projected
and laid it had an Importance which IL can no
longer claim. This country was in the habit
of looking to Europe for most of its informa-
ton, and was Influenced largely by its opinions
on almost every subject. 1t then seemed
necessary that we should know at the earliest
moment what was going on in the Old World,
at it's courts, on it's exchanges, in its markets.
We desired to understand what was their
policy, what their feeling, towards this country
of ours in the West, and whether we were TO
be treated in a frank and friendly manner, or
to be the continued subject Of open spite or
fostering jealousy. Subordinating ourselves 70
public opinion abroad, in many respects, we
were anxious to understand it and quickly to
receive it. The cable was therefore hailed as
medium Of communication Of the most valuable
character, and we celebrated its first success
with our usual enthusiasm.
But since that time grave and important
changes have taken place in the world A
great nation has developed itself in it, mighty
power. The new Hercules has slain another
Hydra. No ono can tell what other prodigies
arc 10 be Witnessed In his career. The Old
World has new series Of events, new races of
men. to study, and it may we'll pause In its own
career to contemplate ours. The cable will be,
therefore, much more important to it than to
us; its sentences will have q meaning tor our
transatlantic friends it can no longer have in
this country.
Such are the changed condition and relations
of the Old World and the New, within the last
four years, that We may doubt whether the in
formation we are henceforward to obtain by
the ocean telegraph will really be worth pay
ing for. What is it to us, in fact, whether the
fve-twenties are up or down one per cent In
London? What to US whether the Prince inn
perial il sick or well, or whether Lord
Palmerston has the govt, or Mr.. Gladstone is
imagine any news which will roach us by the
cable which will have the least practical effect
on the American mind. That day is past
when foreign opinion can again disturb U.s.
On the other hand, we can see how news
from this side Of the ocean may be eagerly
looked for on the other 1t will be very ear
nestly inquired how reconstruction is being
effected peaceably and harmoniously; how we
are adding to our wealth, our population, our
security how our cities are growing, how new
States are being formed, how many millions of
gold we are producing every month, and what
surplus of.cotton and cereals we are ready to
dispose of to foreign nations. And so, too, it
will be az anxiously inquired when the Monroe
doctrine ia to be put in force aud the Austrian
Prince sent back to his own country. In fact
there will be . constant series Of interesting
subjects to occupy the attention OF the Euro
peau press and European politicians, and the
transmission of news from this side will be tho
chief occupation Of their operators, and be the
most profitable.
We, therefore, consider the SUCCESS OF the
present enterprise vastly more important to
the Old World than the New. We are getting
on here pretty well by ourselves We are
making our own history, we are creating
events, we have news Of our own. we are more
than ever independent of foreign opinion. In
fact, the telegraph could not to-day cOmmuni-
cate fact to the American people really worth
the cost Of transmission; but we shall employ
1t for our own satisfaction, as any other instru-
ment Of progress, not admitting that il is any
way material to our essential prosperity, ex-
cept as the medium Of communicating to Europe
lessons by which II may prosper, and which it
will do we'll 10 study.