The Story of the Atlantic Telegraph

But in our country we do things differently. Here it would be considered a stretch of power for any administration to enter into a contract with a private company--a contract binding the Government for a period of twenty-five years, and involving an annual appropriation of money--without the action of Congress. This is a safeguard against reckless and extravagant expenditure, but, as one of the penalties we pay for our more popular form of government, in which every thing has to be referred to the people, it involves delay, and sometimes the defeat of wise and important public measures. Besides--shall we confess it to our shame--another secret influence often appears in American legislation, which has defeated many an act demanded by the public good--the influence of the Lobby! This now began to show itself in opposition. It had been whispered in Washington that the gentlemen in New York who were at the head of this enterprise were very rich; and a measure coming from such a source surely ought to be made to pay tribute before it was allowed to pass. This was a new experience. Those few weeks in Washington were worse than being among the icebergs off the coast of Newfoundland. The Atlantic Cable has had many a kink since, but never did it seem to be entangled in such a hopeless twist as when it got among the politicians. But it would be very unjust to suppose that there were no better influences in our Halls of Congress. There were then--as there have always been in our history--some men of large wisdom and of a noble patriotic pride, who in such a measure thought only of the good of their country and of the triumph of science and of civilization.