Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1866-08-09
The influence Of the Gable.


Not till the ocean telegraph has been in
successful operation for weeks can the present
cable be considered certain SUCCESS. By
the cable of 1858 congratulations were ex-
changed by the Queen and the President,
and few items Of news reported then sud
denly al pcomnunication cesssd; few blind,
unmeaning marks we're made by the delicats
instruments, and ct last even these faiDi
reasons for hope expired. 1t is too soon to
assume that the unknewn causes which
ruined the cable Of 1858 may not be efficient
now. For hundreds of miles West of Ire
land vast chasms and rugged rocks break up
the ocean bed. Unlike land telegraphs,
which are interrupted by frequent stations
at which messages are repeated, the cable
conveys signals at one fash for nearly 900
miles. To interpret the indications Of this
indecisiye current, instruments Of extreme
delicacy are required; the land telegraph
stamps the letters Of the alphabet, in ink,
distinctly upon paper; the signals OF the
cable are family reflected upon galvanic
mirror. These are facts which must prevent
perfect confidence in the ocean telegraph: it
is still an experiment, and the tests are in
complete.
But there is reason for much hope that
the communication will be permanent
None of the previous eablan equal this In
strength, and. we are told, clearness aud
force of signals. The INSTRUMENTS used are
greatly improved, and the mea who planned
the construction of the cable, tte mechanics
who prepared it, tho operators, have ell
profted by experience. Even if 1t fails, M
one can now despair Of ultimate success -
| But, accepting II as succo3s now, and ieav-
! ing these doubts for the future to decide,
| who can measure the influence Of this new
/ wonder of the world? Er Stewards dcalar-
alton. that it the rahls Of 1859 hsd not fall
ed "EuropeGD Statas would Bat have been
| led. in 1861, into the great error OF SUP
posing that civil war in America could either
rerretuate Slavery or divide he Republic"
is, of course, but the compliment of poll
tican to wire. A mere extension OF tbs
telegraph eystem. goiu Of few days in
communicationl y i'll not Eavs nrch etees
upon natural -isalries or the policy of Cle-
inats Thus FAR tue iInprevemeDts Of science
have not changed u C pesfieps ct men. Abe
telegraph has replaced the m united aide.as-
camp ON tie ba;iic-Gel Il. ths rsL!osd h-s
shortened great wars by gaviDg the vesry
marches of inimense armies. Jpad the poat
who propheciad Of tbe tiliEaiieu OF balloons
beheld them in hia vision Is usyies grsppling
in the Hue air, and raining 1cwn blood upon
the Earth. These "a npbs ~ peece usually
provide ueS Instruments oi var. and seieaos.
| thus far, instead Of renewing the caUtes OF
centeliian, has merely substituted iths
neede gun for the bow and arrow. and tbs
monitor for tho ancient galley. Mr:. SEW
ards enthusiasm will hardly bear the teas
of reason. The telegraph is Surely not me
great tTsnquilizsr he sapp9sss' tsr even the he
Presidents telegram to New Orleans did
not prevent the murder Of Union men in
peaceful Convention. 49,. *.I ~
But to ths,business world the cable will
be an instrument Of great value. Com
merce with Europe win be conducted on
new sys en-. The gain Of eight or nine
days will be fully spparent when American
journalism has perfected the srrsngenentss
of obtaining news. But the. wonder wall
soon PASS into quiet satisfaction. With the
usefulness. When the reader Of the Tri,,
bune takes up his paper at breakfast and
day after day reads the news Of the day be-
! fore. at London and Paris, whst the EN-
nerer said in 81. Petersburg. end how the
Sultan slept in Constnntinople, he will soon
become accustomed to the change. A revo-
! luton in Hungary will be reported IA speed
| liz as riot in New Orlesns. Tbs Liver
! pool steamers will bring Old news, aBd tue
cannon which announces their arrival VII
! no longer send the renorters ct nl'nignf
down tho bay The Tribune will become OF
greater Importance when through its col
umns the news by the cable will Be daily
given to the American people Even with
the, high prices of messages single cable
will be unable to satisfy The wants Of the
public, and newspapers must stiii give 10
buyers and sellers, politicians, meu sf the
verld, and Athenisns who always desire
some new thing, tho bulk Of their Informs
tion.