The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-08-11
Tho Atlantic Cable-Its Effects Upon the
Press.


The country must be astonished at the re-
suits which the Atlantic cable has produced In
the earliest days of its existence. People were
disposed to doubt Its efficacy In transmitting
news from the other side OF the world with as
much accuracy as has characterized the report
of the speech delivered by the King Of Prussia
In Berlin on Monday, and published verbasim
in our columns on Thursday. The success Of
the cable was deemed equivocal, the perma-
ncnoy of its continuity is, perhaps, still doubt
ful, and oan only be decided by time but one
thing Is certain-tbat it has been the medium
of bringing us very important news, for which,
we may add, the public is indebted to the en-
terprise of the HERALD for our special cores
pondents in Eu ope collected the news in
Berlin, St. Petersburg Pesth, London, and va
rious other points, and forwarded 1t over
the cable. But for this the public would have
had very little news of importance by the cable.
Some Of the small-fry newspapers endeavored
to turn the thing into ridioule, but 1t occurs to
us that there is nothing to be scoffed at In the
Atlantic cable, but rather something to be APP
plauded as an effort Of science, skill, enterprise
and genius. For instance, the news which we
were enabled to lay before our readers on
Thursday, could not have been obtained for
two weeks by the ordinary channels. These
dispatches from Berlin and the other points Of
the continent were furnished to the American
public at o cost Of ST. 900 in our currency. For
this fact the public are indebted to the HERALD,
and were it not for the incompetency OF the
Executive Committee of the Associated Press
we would be able to furnish European news
much earlier.
The success Of the cable so far has been
complete. The electricians have been able to
transmit messages at the rate Of eleven words
per minute with moderately light batteries, and
that Is moro than was expected. II is true that
the cable may not last for very long time.
The abrasion at the bottom Of the ocean may
wear 1t out and it will probably become neces-
sary to renew 1t every year; but there will
doubtless be other lines laid across the Allan
tic in addition to the old cable, which is about
to be raised and reconstructed. We may
expect to find cable-laying hencefor;L regu-
lar business.
There can be no doubt that the Geographic
communication with Europe will revolutionize
the newspaper business on both continents. 1t
will tend to produce condensation of style in
newspaper articles. Already we observe, since
the telegraph has been established throughout
Europe, terseness in the writings of the English
journals which forms strong contrast to the
former long-winded style ofthe magazine school,
which rendered the leading articles almost un-
endurabls. The telegraph will bring US back to
that succinct, simple and condensed method Of
expressing our ideas which prevailed in ancient
times. The early records Of Greece, Egypt
and Palestine, out Of which ancient history " as
made, were nothing more than telegraphic no
tees, from which subsequent authors wove the
web OF authentic history. The Hebrew language
was originally written without vowels, like
some systems Of our modern stenography. At a
duced to facilitate the Interpretation. 1t is evil
dent that the extension of the telegraph system
will have \ very m lrked effect upon the intel
lectual habits of the world at large. The tele-
graph teaches us that the days of the elaborate
ten-column articles and three volume books
have gone by. Condensation Of words to ex-
press thought will prevail. In short, we should
not be surprised II by telegraphic agency we
returned to the ancient, simple style Of Homer,
Moses and the Prophets--a consummaion for
which we shall be exceedingly thankful
GENERAL DIX AND THE MISSION TO THE HAGUE
The post Of minister to the Hague was offered
some time since to Major General John A. Dix,
we presume as recognition Of his services to
the government and the country. This was
paying him poor compliment, If indeed, under
the circumstances, it may not be regarded as
little less than an insult, inasmuch as an APP
pointmcnt to the Hague Is almost equivalent TO
banishmcnt into exile. The services OF General
Dix deserve some more honorable recognition.
Both before the war and during Its continuance
General Dix exercised all the functions Of pa
TO some consideration on the part of the govern
ment. Mr.. johnson is evidently disposed to
make him some return, or he would not have
proffered him FOREIGN mission, but there is at
at the disposal Of the President far better re-
ward, and one to which General Dix is eminent
~ entitled, than the barren honors Of The Hague.
The Cabinet is In course OF reconstruction
Some changes have already taken place, and
no doubt there are more to come. President
Johnson should offer the place OF Secretary OF
the Treasury to General Dix. That would be
not only commensurate with his deserts, but !.
would ensure an efficient member Of the Csbi-
net who would be acceptable to the country.
General Dix has all the qualifications required
for the place. He filed that Office before, at
the commencement Of the war in which he az
forwards participated with 80 much distinction
as a soldier. lie is man Of fine accomplish
ments, thorough education, and among all the
politicians has perhaps the purest record.
Moreover no poascssea n mind broader and