The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-03

NoAafks OF Mr. Baker, lllimOis,
IN ne House Of Representatives on ne acceptance Of
mr.. Criminals offer Of uesseis for the Sir John
Franklin Expedition.
Mr. BAKER said propose to detain the House
lew moments, to express my hearty assent 10 the
resolutions under discussion; and have deemed
II proper TO say something in their support because
represent district very remote from the ocean,
yet one whose inhabitants feel kindly sympathy
Tor the distinguished navigator, for whom, trust,
renewed search is TO be made. IL is objected, sir,
that this was an English expedition, to accomplish
British purposes. From whatever port il may have
sailed and whatever flag il bore, its object
scientific exploration, and its purpose was one of
universal benefit. Sir John Franz kiln, and the gal
liant men who have shared his perils have gone out
upon voyage Of discovery, prompted by noble i'm
pulses. With no guide but their own genius and
Providence, they have sought to accomplish results
which are To benefit not only England, but Ameri-
ca; not only America, but the world; not only this
generation, but all generations Sir, !, for one,
knowledge the obligations such enterprise inn
poses upon civilization every where, and think i
Just and graceful TO stamp the expedition which
goes to its relief with national character
But il is said that the proposed expedition is one
OF private nature, by which the gentleman who
am glad it is SO. will grant aid to Mr.. Grnnell
now, as readily as would have done to Columbus
if had been citizen legislator Of Spain in the
reign of Ferdinand and Isabella. II is this gener-
Gus love of glory which admire; it this which
prompted the "world- seeking Genoese" to the no
best enterprise of any age, and kept him firm
amid terrified Mariners and on an unknown and
stormy II is this which kindles high hearts to
all great enterprises; and, sir, when this love Of
glory seeks its accomplishment in noble discovery
and princely munificence,, IL not only admire but
honor it, and am honored in being allowed to aid it.
But, sir the whole American people have an in
terest in these expeditions 1t is longer true of
England. that she is the "mistress of the ocean,"
we, too, hold our :" march upon the mountain
wave''--our keels yex every sea and whatever
opens new channels of commerce, adds to
wealth and dominion. And yet am disposed to
place the support Of this measure upon higher
ground 1t has been said that literature belongs to
no age and no country. II may be repeated of dis
covery and invention, the benefit is for all ages
and all countries for the world and for the whole
family Of man. So, trust, an enlightened states
nianshp will send forth, in the name of this great
nation, messages of consolation and succor to the
absent-not alone to relieve them, but also to
sure all who may succeed them in the paths of ad-
venturous peril that they shall neither be neglect
ed nor forgotten Nor should the sacredness of
misfortune be overlooked. II these men had sought
the northern seas for private gain, then
the greatness of their danger would reach the
American heart The noble woman who looks out
upon the "melancholy MAIN with eyes shining
with hope, yet dimmed with tears, does not and
cannot appeal to us in vain. For one shall re-
spond to the call Here is pubic-spirited Ameri-
can merchant who, with munihcence equalling
the merchant princes of Florence, equips his YES
sells and proposes to traverse the unknown regions
of the North to restore distinguished men to the
world, and husbands and fathers to their homes.
ne ASKS tne OF our name ana our laws.
Sir, let him have them. Let US put our flag at the
mast head, our laws upon the deck our protection
around the ship. 1t may be our stars may first
CLEAN upon those watching eyes. Think you, sir,
they will not hail them with wilder Joy when
they come to tell them that America conducts the
search?
But it is said that this sympathy is felt for Sir
John Franklin because he bears title Sir, the
title has been earned. II was earned, believe, as
Sir James Ross and Sir John Parry have earned
theirs--by courage and devotion, BY endurance
and skill. The deeds which secure those titles give
nober distinction than titles bestow they
live when titles are forgotten and the who per-
form them are mobiles by T" a higher patent and
earlier creation"
agree, Mr.. Speaker with the honorable gentle
man from Virginia, Mr.. BAYLy,) that his express
sion, 'charactcrizing the proposed expedition
/" wild goose chase most unfortunate; is not
worthy of his taste, does it do justice to his
kindness. Sir, trust these brave yet safe.
And if 30, the gentleman might have found, in the
freshness and variety of his reading, analogy,
far more correct and no less elegant than the one
with which he has favored US. II is Bryant, be-
lieve, sir, who in some Of the most touching lines
he has given the world, describes the solitary way
OF the wild bird in heaven, the distant and unseen
the lonely not uncared for. Let US hope that, like
that bird, these wanderers may be watched by
gracious eye, and guarded by that benignant
"--Power whose care
Teaches their way along that trackless coast,
The desert and illimitable' air
Lone, wandering, but not lost"