Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-08-15
POSTAL TELEGRAPH.

The subject of a Geographic service at
Tackled to the postofice is attracting much
attention. We observe that az the newspa-
Pers discuss it objections raised at first eight
are often given up, and the possibility of the
scheme is more broadly admitted. That
$4,000, 900 can be given TO the Western
Union for the deeply watered monopoly
is universally scouled, but a telegraph line
belonging TO the people and carried on in
connection with the present postofice sys'
tenn is seen to be a different thing. That
some change must be made TO rescue public
affairs, trade and private correspondents
from such a strain a. it has at present 10
bear is obvious. That all these interests
must be rlighted merely because a grasp
ing, soulless company cannot treat its
employees fairly or pay them satisfactorily,
is felt TO be out Of the question. TIE
American people submit TO ipconvenience
and loss with patience that excites the ridi-
cule OF foreigners, but a limit is reached
here that promises TO arouse the people TO
the point of action. The editor of the Mo-
bile Register, discussing this question, in
clines to look to a postal telegraph IS the
only reasonable and permanent ground OF
relief. Ths Register says that for years it
has hoped the Southern press Of the leading
towns would combine to erect q line from
New York to New Orleans, and thus procure
their own communications with the principal
commercial and political centers. But ii that
.oknu,o aho,l1 \. ho,rhk ohi,narsna tha naof
al telegraph is not To decline telegraph ia
cilities where we seek postal ones the Register
sees to be illogical. The country has out
grown its swaddling clothes and TO object 10
extending its public facilities is to object to
its own growth. To say that a telegraph
service cannot be added to the mail, or the
performance Of any duty that our growth or
change OF circumstance MAY make neces-
sary cannot be undertaken without damage
to our institutions, is at once and finally 10
admit that the republican system is not
capable of undertaking and carrying out
those public objects, for the accomplishment
Of which governments exist. Ia Europe
governments carry on the Geographic service
With advantage to the public, delivering it
from the curse of monopoly and from the tx
travalance Of making dividends on water
Can monarchical governments do the duty
required, but the republic cannot? Can The
European brain accomplish the work we
want done, but the American h~ead-piece il
80 wanting in ingenuity and SO deficient in ex'
pedienis that it CANNOT? Must we submit
t. Western Union i~nsolence, TO an oppressive
monopoly, 10 direct robbery Of our wealth
because there is danger if we do not submit
II this is the case, what has become of tn,
old backwoods independence, even OF th'
spirit and energy we displayed in the lat,
war? We would not have 30 important
work gone about without the care snt
thought its gravity claims, but do not lie
fear and natiopal iucompetency stand a
our motives for submitting to the lash arc
the urrogsnce Of monopoly, II the com
meroe of the country and the welfare of III
citizsns require a postal telegraph, a pcs
tai telegraph we mus. and shall have. II
stand talking about difficulties and danger
is idle. Other countries can do what il
wanted, and when a thing is good and useiu,
what any other country can do we can do
and we will do.