The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-06-25
Ocean Telegraphs.

AAAVoV CSNRAA OANuNVA Va OA0 VpPVA0Ato VI Ou0
States Rights principle is to be found in
the late opinion Of Attorney General Hoar
on the subject Of the right to allow the
landing Of telegraphie cables on the shores
Of the several States. The Attorney Con.
eral holds that under the clauses of the con-
stitution relating to admiralty and mari
time Jurisdiction, and the power to regu-
late commerce with foreign nations, Con-
gress has supreme control in all these mat
ters, notwithstanding any privileges which
may have been granted by the States. The
opinion was given in response TO the ques-
tion whether cable from Newfoundland
could be landed ON the shore of Maine under
q charter granted by that State, and be pro-
tected there, without the previous author
ity Of Congress But it applies also to the
French company which is now preparing to-
land its cable on the Plymouth shore, under
privilege granted by the Massachusetts,
Legislature, and to all companies acting
under similar authority.
The views Of the law officer Of the gov
ernment in this case have met with storm
Of opposition from the press, Little as the
Northern newspapers care about abstract
theories Of States Rights, they are all bit
terly hostile to sspolicy which Mas not q
single advantage to recommend It, and
which would place the American Govern
ment in q position Of absurd and needless
sntsgonism to the enlightened and progress
sive spirit Of the age, They urge with JUS
tice that The same principle, il carried out,
would prevent the constructions Of q pier
on the coast, or the landing Of foreign yes
sells in cur ports, without special authority
from Congress-. Butitis specially with refer
ence to its effect upon the French cable
company that the course advised by the
Attorney General is denounced as an out
rage against plain public policy and COM
mon sense. The company merely asks the
privilege, for which they are willing to pay.
Of landing their wires on our coast. The
United States have everything to gain and
nothing TO lose by the concession. The
present cables have both their termini on
the soil Of . single foreign power, which
may at any moment become hostile. With
the new cable in working order, We should
not have our European information colored
to suit the tastes Of any particularnoouatry,
nor should We be liable 70 And many Of the
leading uses Of such communications closed
in the event Of political troubles. The new
wire wonld naturally increase our inde-
psndoacs, as we'll as che amount Of intelli-
gsnce given, and i Is altogether probabls
that the competition would lessen the tolls
charged. In view Of these varied and ina-
portant considerations, itis, hoped that the
opiniono or Mr.. Hoar will not be allowed to
shape the policy Of the government, and
that Maine End Massachusetts, may be
spared.the modification Of having to sub
NIT to deniartofaa privilege which they
themselves, In their capacity Of sovereign
States, have already formally grapted.
Should the event prove otherwise. va Of
The South, ct least, could afford to look On
with q certain grim satisfsction, while the
bitter cup Of consolidation which the Old
Bay State has had 90 large shars in mix-
ing, is commented, with poetic justice, to
her own lips saoqs$ 4 a Il ss ss; ss