New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-08-01
THE INFLUENCE OF TIE CABLE.


Not till the ocean telegraph has been in successful
operation for weeks the present cable be cOnsd
cred certain success. BY the cable Of 1853 con-
CALCULATIONS were exchanged by the Queen and the
President and few items of news reported; then
suddenly all communication ceased; a few blind,
uameaning marks were made by the delicate instru-
ments and at last even these faint for hope
expired Ii is too soon TO assume that the unknown
causes which ruined the cable of 1858 may not be
efficient now. For hundreds of miles west Of Ireland
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 flash for nearly 900
miles, To interpret the indications Of this indecisive
current instruments Of extreme dclcacy required;
the land telegraph stamps the letters Of the alphabet,
in ink distinctly upon paper the signals of the cable
are family reflected upon gayanic mirror These
are facts which must prevent perfect confidence in
the ocean telegraph; it is still an experiment, and the
tests are incomplete
But there is reason for much hope that the commu-
nication will be permanent. None Of the previous
cables equal this in strength and, are told, clear
ness aud force of signals. The instruments used are
greatly improved, and the men who planned the con-
struction Of the cable The mechanics who prepared IT,
the operators have all proGted by experience Even
# il fails no one can now despair Of ultimate success.
Bat, accepting it as a success how, and leaving
these doubts for the future todecde who can measure
the influence Of this new wonder Of the world Mr..
Stewards declaration, that if the cable Of 1858 lad
not failed, " European States would not have been
led in 1861 into the great error Of supposng that
civil war in America could either pcrpe,uae Slavery
or divide this Republic is, Of course, but the compi-
ment OF politician to Il wire. A mere extension Of
the telegraph system gain Of few days in commu'
ncalion, will not have much effect upon
natural ryalrics or Tie policy Of Cabinets.
Thus far the Improvements Of science have lot
changed the pa. ions Of men, The telegraph has re-
placed the mounted ade.de-camp on the battlefield;
the railroad has shortened great wars by saving tho
weary marches Of immense armies, and the poet who
prophcced Of the utilization Of balloons behed them
in bis vision as naycs graphing in the blue air. and
raining down blood upon tn earth. These triumphs
Of peace usually provide new instruments Of war,
and science thus far instead Of removing the causes
Of contention. las merely substituted the needle
gun fir the bow and arrow aud the monitor for the
ancient galley. Mr.. Seward enthusiasm will hardly
bear the te.i Of reason The telegraph is surely not
the great tranquzsr be supposes for even the Pres
idcnis Telegram 70 Orleans did not prevent the
murder Of Union mon in peaceful Convention.
But 10 tho business world the cab. VIII be an in
strumeut Of grca, value. Commerce with Europe will
be conducted on q new system. Tho gain Of eight or
nine days viii be fully apparent when American journ-
alism has perfected the arrangements of obtaining
news. But the wonder VIII soon pass into quiet sa'-
i.flction with the usefulness. When fhc reader of
The TRursE takes up his paper a. breakfast, and day
after day reads the news Of the day he
fore at London and Pars, what l-e Emperor
said in S. Petersburg and how the Sui
tan slept in Cousan,nopc, be WIN soon become
accustomed 10 the change. A revolution u Hungary
will be reported almost as speedily a' aro. u New
Orleans. The Liverpool steamers viii hrug old
news. and the cannon which anuo..... 'I,.- ARRIVAL
will 40 longer send the reporters ~ midnight down the
bay. The TMBUsg will become a. e-.atcr import
ance when through It's column thc now, by the cable
will be daily given to the American people Even
with the high prices Of mes ages suE., cable Will
be unable to satisfy the wants o. .Ar public, and
newspapers must still give to buyers a1i sellers, poll
ticans men OF the world. aud A.hcn.lu' who always
desire some thing the bulk Of their Information.