The New York herald., 1870-03-10
Telegraph Enterpri,c-The Far-Seeing Policy
Of Grent Britain.

ner iur -Slynteu pOilcy. ouC iooho W sHo iutulc
for results more than to temporary conve-
nicnce or seeming present advantages. This
is seen in hundreds of instances, but in nothing
more than in her telegraph enterprise to all
parts Of the world She fully realizes the fact
that in these times the telegraph is the great
est promoter of commerce.; consequently we
learn that she is bringing iato instant commu-
nication with herself and each other all her
vast possessions, as well as every country
which has trade worth looking after. Ex-
tension of her commerce and commercial
supremacy are the objects she has constantly
in view. We learned lately that she was push
ing her lines of telegraph from Europe 10 India
by the way OF Sucz and Bombay, and chat she
would soon extend them to China. In conncc-
ton with this European and Asiatic system of
line to Australia. Nor does England
neglect the American Continent or leave it
to the enterprise of the United States. A
company has been formed in London, with q
capital of three million two hundred and
fifty thousand dollars, for extending tele-
graphic communication throughout the
colonies of the West Indies, and to connect
with Panama, as well as with the States of
South and Central America, on both the Pacific
and Atlantic sides of the Continent. There is
hardly point Of any commercial Importance
throughout all this vast region of the world
that will not be brought into telegraphic COM
munication with England. The West India
and Panama Company, which has undertaken
this work, proposes to lay the cable between
the West Indies and Panama during the
months of May and June, and it is contem-
plated that the South Pacific cable will be
shipped from London in October.
We shall have no reason to complain or to
be jealous of this gigantic enterprise, for it
will place the United States in telegraphic
communication with all the countries referred
to, as well as England Indeed, we may de-
rive the greatest advantage, being much nearer
to the West Indies and South and Central
America than England, which must make the
cost of telegraphing less to us. This great
tries of both the American continents will
create the necessity of more Atlantic cables
between the United States and Europe, and in
this way monopoly will be destroyed, rivalry
will spring up and the people and press will
get the benefit Of cheaper communication.
The time is not far off, evidently, when the
governments of all nations will have to take
control of this mighty agent of civilization
and commerce, and when there must be a
general international law protecting and regu-
la.ing the telegraphs connecting the different
countries with each other.
Looking at the astonishing progress made in
extending telegraphic communications and at
the far-seeing enterprise of the British people
and government in this matter, it does appear
that our own government is slow and behind
the times. We ought to have had cable
across the Pacific to China and Japan by this
time. The vast trade Of those countries
could be diverted more and more to the
United States by placing the two continents
in instant communication. The time was and
is most propitious for that. The Chinese
Burlingame mission laid the foundation for q
more extended trade, and number Of circum-
stances have combined to place this country
in the best position for increasing our com
merce with China. But while England is
intent on pushing her communications with
that great empire by the long route Of
India we neglect superior advantages.
So, too, with regard to taking the
control of the telegraphs at home. Congress
seems to be stupid and altogether behind the
age. The vote of the House on Monday, or
| Mr.. Washburn's proposition to authorize tn.
| Select Committee on the Postal Telegraph
| System to inquire into the whole subject O
telegraphing, showed how short-sighted oul
national representatives are. The truth is, W.
want statesmen who can comprehend suct
| great questions and the movements of the age
| Congress is made up of small politicians whose
vision is limited to little local affairs, and wht
have no idea of the wants and destiny of thi!
mighty nation. Our public men might vel
study the far-seeing policy of English states
men in promoting British commerce over th,
whole world and through every available
channel, as well as in the measures adopted
for giving the people cheap telegraphic com
munication at home.
THE VERDICT OF NEW HAMPSHIRE is al
endorsement of Grants administration. A
in the initial race for the grand sweepstake
of 1868 New Hampshire, in leading off will
Grant, gave the republican, the inside tract
and the lead which they held throughout, 81
now. in planting themselves upon the platform
of Grants administration, the New Hampshire
republicans have shown their party throughou
the country how to win. To the temporizin
democracy, on the other hand, the moral Q
this New Hampshire election signifies that th
employment Of guerillas is a dangerous bust
ness, inasmuch as this new labor reform part
upon which the democratic managers relied t
draw away from the republicans the balanc
of power has, like two-edged sword, Gu
both ways. In fact, this new labor reforr