New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-07-20
CABLES, COURTESY AND RIGHT

A second European Cable, already laid "a "a,
as an island off the coast OF Newfoundland. Ia
now on its way to our shores. Within few
days, unless interrupted by ill-fortune, or by
the interference of the United States authori-
ties, the coast of Massachusetts will be placed
in direct telegraphic communication with the
coast of France.
On many accounts we should regard this An
achievement Of our advancing civilization
every way worthy of rejoicing. New Gables
mean lower rates of telegraphing, increase in the
facility of communication, closer connections
between peoples of different countries and Ian
guages, benefits to commerce, advantages to
Governments, inducements and aids to Peace.
1t is not, therefore, because we we are insen-
sible to the rich gifts which these new corners
bear with them, that we insist upon the main
tenance of the ground which our Government
has already justly assumed. But the Company
now proposing without leave to land its
Cable on our shores does so In distinct
defiance of the well-known determination Of
Congress to retain control over this whole sub
iect; does so with even the expressed boast
that it means to pay no attention to the Opin-
ion of the Attorney General, or to the position
of Congress- and that when once its Cable is
laid it can trust to the advantages it offers to
override any objections to the terms upon
which these advantages are obtained. We in
sist,. therefore, that the facts be carefully con-
sidered.
This company is composed almost entirely OF
our late enemies 1t is organized by the French
Emperor, and has a grant from Napoleon OF
exclusive rights for twenty years. 1t gives
precedence over all other matter to French
Government dispatches, and conveys them at
half rates. The service on its line, as is ex-
pressly stipulated, must be entirely under the
control of the French authorities, and the
French Office must be in the Government
building at Brest. It's operators in France must
be State officials, and no messages either re-
ceived OF delivered can escape their hands.
We are in a position to demand equal rights
with the French Government over a Cable
which is to connect our territory with theirs
We have asserted that right The expression
of opinion by Congress last Winter was
clear The official declaration of the Attorney
General, in itself explicit, was laid before the
French Company before they began paying out
their Cable. The peremptory warning Of the
Secretary of State has been communicated to
the French and British Ministers, and by
them to the parties interested. Our right
is plain, and we are formally and officially
committed to its defense. We shall gladly
welcome the French Cable, but it must come
offering our Government equal rights with the
French over its entire length, and 1T can come
on no other terms. After the assurances
and the warnings that have been given, to at
tempt to land it without complying with these
terms is arrogant defiance, which the United
States cannot permit so long as IL
has man-Of-war flying its flag on
the North Atlantic coast If the French Com
pany have at last given the guarantees yester-
day rumored, the Cable will be speedily landed
at Duxbury. Otherwise it will not be, till Ito
extraordinary privileges elsewhere exhibited
receive essential modification.