New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-07-09

Pacific Ocean, via the Sandwich or Aleutiar
Island, to Japan, Corea, and China short
ening the distances, greatly reducing prices
and place it under the control of Americans
giving at all times to their own government
The priority over all other nations, Corporation.
or individuals; it asks from Congress nc
subsidy or privileges. as it is stated in the
bill, provided that the Secretary of the Navy
be directed to detail, for the SURVEYS and
Pacific coast in America and Asia, where il
may be determined to establish said sub.
marine cable, one or more steam vessels to
afford such assistance as may be calculated
to promote the success of the Enterprise.
Now, this proposition, instead of being q
burden to the Government, will prove bene.
fetal, as all vessels last longer at sea than
laying idle at the navy yards, while the
work assigned will contribute in extending
the knowledge of our officers in the science
and practice Of photography. To that effect,
the United States steamer "Tuscarora" has
already completed the sounding from our
Pacific coasts, San Diego, California, to
\ Yokohama, Dapan), and found that the
deepest points of the waters 3,2S7, 3, 1882,
and 3,O09 fathoms are nearer to the shores
of Asia than those of America.
Now, Mr.. Chairman, the Pacific Cable will
be the pivot upon which will turn in the
near future, our supremacy in Japan and
China. II would at once put us in immediate
communication with the far East; give a
wonderful impulse to our commerce there !;
place lis IN the most favorable position for
controlling the trade; add prestige and in
huence to our name-already prominent in
those Eastern regiOn-awaken sympathy
everywhere, and inspire confidence and Sc
curity to governments and people, the idea
that they are connected by cable with a
powerful and friendly nation. Look at the
bright future before this company!
Japan, the most enlightened of the nations
of Asia, has begun the the construction of
railroads and telegraphs, and we Americans
will help to continue and go-ahead with this
work. China with population of 400, OO0-
600, and 100000 of square miles of terri
tory, does not possess one mile of railway or
telegraph. There is every probability that
as soon as this cable shall reach the shores
of China, grants will be obtained from the
Chinese government to enable the company
to reach all the principal cities of that vast
Empire.
Whoever builds the telegraph, will build
the railroads Thus you see what an i'm
mense field opens for American enterprise,
industry, and energy. This is the only way
to successfully compete with the English,
"hO ho" lIdNC d lullucuCC anu
supremacy in that part of the world.
The foreign trade of japanese and Chinese
seaports opened to foreign traffic, amounts
nearly to one thousand and nine hundred mil
lions of dollars, Isl 900 0O0, OOO) but, great as
it is, it is insignificant when compared to the
internal commerce of the two whole Empires,
that could be made tributary to the ramifica
tons and connections of our cables or lines Of
telegraph and railroads. The numerous
foreign merchants, dong business there,
would at once make free use of Geographic
facilities and the Chinese, japanese, although
they are not inventors, are certainly skillful
and patient imtators, and keenly alive to
mercantile enterprises. They will not fail to
initiate.
have been many years in China, and al
over the East, and have had ample Oppor-
tunity Of knowing that among the Chinese
and other Asiatics there does not exist any
friendship for the English they only fear
them. The compulsory opium and the inter-
national gunbOat law, practiced by the Eng
fish, has produced an unfavorable impression
in China and the rest of Asia. 1t is the first
impression that an individual, as we'll as
nation, produces in the minds of those peo-
pie, that last forever. The English have
utterly failed, and the Americans have won
derfully succeeded The Chinese and Jap
anese feel a warm friendship for America and
Americans. They were willing to accord
more privileges and facilities to us than any
other nation. Look at the success of Gen
eral F. Ward, of Salem, Massachusetts,, and
the Hon. A. Burlngame, whom met in Pc
kin, the hOnOred representative of our coun-
try. Are they not good proofs of this friend
ship inducements enough to make us turn
our thoughts toward China, Japan, Corea
and Siam, and look at the Pacific ocean as
the only one now left to us for the revival of
our navigation and commerce The Pacific
cable will be the foundation stone of this
commercial edifice. Let us retain all the ad-
vantages possible of the friendship of these
Orientals, and of the magic power of this
wonderful Italo-American invention, the
electric telegraph.
Suppose, Mr.. Chairman, if any commune
cation of secret character need to be sent
to our ministers or admirals in the East, or
our relations in that quarter become compile
Gated, what reliance could we place in the
transmission of our Government messages
through cables owned by other nations and
especially 50, when it is remembered that
these cables are all controlled by our Eng
lish rival? Our secrets would be mockery,
and our plans defeated!
After enumerating all these facts and sup
positions as we'll as advantages, and atten-
lively looking at our geographical position,
not true American can deny that the Pacific
cable is an imperiouS necessity. 1t is gigan-
tic work in which patriotism ought to occupy
a higher place than the hope of grand pecu-
mary returns. Indeed, it should stir the
pride of every American citizen, and animate
them with the noble desire to witness the
completion of the great pathway toward the
East, which had its foundation in the daring
and skill that Overcame the obstacles of the
Rocky Mountains.
Gentlemen, do not leave this work unfn-
lshed and incomplete! Crown it's summit
with the electric capstone, and help with
your wisdom, patriotism, and power to estab-
lish the last line needed for embracing the
entire circumference Of the Globe with the
telegraphlc wires Again, gentlemen, in the
name of this company, ask from you, and
through you, the sanction from Congress to
lay this cable. We have full confidence that
we can furnish the capital necessary for this
national enterprise; we have every reason
to believe that the Chinese and Japanese
will vie with Americans in buying the shares,
as soon as they find out that the work of the
foreigners, instead of impeding the current
of the Fung Shuey good fortune) will help it.,
and in a few minutes they can communicate
a message, where, before, weeks and months
were required; and as the postal system does
not exist in China, they are obliged to send
a foOtman on their own account, at large
expense of time and money. Everyone from
the highest mandarin, to the lowest shop
keeper, will lay aside their superstitions and
prejudices, and will make use of the tele-
graph, and travel by railway, as they have
done by steamers. At the present day near
lu 4,yo thirds of the steamers in China yoters