The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-03-15

der and In 1850 he distinguished himself as sur
geon historian and naturalist TO the rst expedition sent
out for ths relief of Sir John Franklin Ii the quail
ties displayed this occasion that pointed him ont
nj man for the command of the second and fortunate
expedition. #H .-s.. #.H. si t#t
lie bad been preceded 10 the Arctic regions by Sebastian
Cabot about the year l496 and later dates by Parry
hchadson Mcclure and Others but the daring and
sku Of these nagators stopped far short Of the attan-
mens OF DIR Kane Catching m the spirit of heroic enter
prise in The latitude where the intrepid of his prede-
oesors had laid 1t down. he extended his observations to
The latitude OF 81 deg % in being four dercee above
the point where the light heaven had previously
shone upon the face Of civilized He made survey
OF the coast OF Greenland and distinguished the space be-
tween latitude 90 deg and 81 min. as Washington land
the open space OF water in the latitude he has marked
kennedy channel = and the Of water nsxt above,
constitution bay He discoyereda large northwest cham
ne ffee from Ice and leading into open polar sea- which
spreads out over Of fur honsaud hundred
miles, and extending soutbward "a latitude AZ deg 20
has marked Mount Perry in honor the distinguished
gator OF that name Estimate these explorations
may, Mr. President in point Of practical usefulness there
IS something hateriDg in the fact that what Sebastian
Cabot had attempted three hundred and fifty years ago.
our counryman, Dr. Kane, has achieved lie did dis
cover northwest passage and Polar Nor this
accomplished by accident good fortune IL reached
through trials and suiierings and imminent hazard of life
and the exercise Of the highest degree of philosophy and
moral courage Imagine, it you please sir small band
OF hardy adyenurers only eighteen In number clothed in
skins and iurs tented in that icy region for two dreary
years. shut out from comforts of civilization and for six
months at time from the light of heaven surrounded by
ce-bound vessels in latitude rs deg constituting their only
home and shelter from which they sailed forth survey
the coastso take sketches of tho surrounding enery
day after day. and month after month"; they continued to
forth and return 10 this silent home For hundreds and
hundreds Of miles they avered that desert region of
and ice where the footprints of civilized had be-
fore been left Then again, when they had trunphed
mainly In their enterprise and the of sustenance
and health demanded retreat contemplate heirdeparure
from their ieebound ship and witness them with dogs and
sledges for the space of eghy-wo days struggling over
cheeess and rugged country suffering constantly from the
intense severity OF the climate
About this time it was sir, that within the halls of
Congress heard The voice of beneyoence pleading in
eloquent tones for relief for those gallant menreef for
Dr. Kane who, it was feared would perish in his daring
efforts relieve John Franklin To that voice the response
prompt Men who have done and suffered SO much
| deserve the gratitude of their country.
But Mr. President, am for proper notice Of the ex-
pedton in view of the santary influence the act would
evidently exercise. 1t is such public recognition of great
qualities that beges proper spirit of emulation amongst
the gifted and the goodthat develops the genius and the
patriotism Of our people And have not this idea
times without number sir compmented those who have
distinguished themselves in battle in the councils
OF the naon Have we not extended to such the bounty
OF the country and given perpeHiy to their fame by in
deble records And shall he who bravely encountered
the elements IN the cause of benevoence and science to
the imminent hazard of life be less cherished So much
DR.. Kane has done and esdured.
Some OF The ancens HS read houored civilians as well
as soldiers and surely in age ancient modern,
should the daring navigator and dscoyeer command less
OF his eounys admiration and bounty. The brave mau
who plants the flag of his country in the enemys camp is
worthy OF distinction, but not than he who
ts,ds the limits of civilization and hnmen ksowsdEs
the risk of life and the loss of health and comfort The
desperate in battle do evince higher degree of
true courage Whosoeser compares the present map of the
world with physical geography known to the ancients
will be prepared to appreciate the value of discoveries and
the merits Of those who have added much knowl-
edge of the formation Of the globe which we livea
knowledge Illustrative of all accepted theories OF
the wonderful structure of the unverse-of astronomy
and geography all tending 10 the ends of civil
Iizaton and Christianity Whoever attempts to gath
nm utemn thp houp nd hrilli nj
achievements Of avgators, from the days Of Scylax
the Greek five hundred and twenty-five years before the
Christian era, down to Tudela the Jew, may find it diff
cult TO determine exactly what naygatos and explorers
did accomplish in that age of the world but beginning
with Paul. the Italian in 1885, and tracing the achieve
ments of Vaudeville Of Cadamosta of Columbus of Yes
pucc Of Magellan of Cabot of Cavendsh, of Sir Francis
Drake, Of Walter Raleigh of Captain Cook, and others in
past centuries and those Of Humboldt of Franklin, of
Ross, Of Richardson Of Parry OF Mcclure Of Kane and
Others of the nineteenth century, will be justly impressed
with the invaluable services this class Of scientific and
voted men have rendered TO their fellowmen how much
they have contributed 70 the ends of civizauono the
purposes of human knowledge and Of their genuine nerts
class. They entitled to the gratitude aud admi-
ration OF the whole human race and will be 10 the end OF
time
If it be objected that this Is the purchase OF book my
is that Congress has frequently purchased similar
books and that had Dr. Kane submitted detailed report
IL would have been printed without objection and cost the
government double treble the aggregate amount of Gil
the books the Doctors friends desire Congress 10 take
The government OF Great Britain has expended millions to
lions tomorrow, doubt not TO have his discoveries
credited a subject OF that government And shall we
hesitate sir, to take few thousand books token
Of national respect Tor the expedition and its leader
Other explorers have been the recipients Of direct
ward and other reports have been published at the
cost of vast But the Doctors friends not
willing place him in position repugnant to HE
own feelings Perhaps Congress has gone for in this
way; but this Of Dr. Kane may safely be made
exception any general rule. is in this spirit that
shall go for the purchase Parallel will seldom occur
Many session will and 60 Mr. President before
other American citizen in the capacity of explorer, will
achieve much attract so large share Of the worlds
admiration and gratitude
LATER FROM HAvAsA-The Havana correspondent of the
Journal Of Commerce, under date Of the 3D. instant,
writes
"The British frigste Powerful steamer Buzzerd brigs
o-war Daring and Arab In portthe cause Of slight
sensation The captan-genera has been well re-
ceved at the places where be has called his tour round
the andhe authorities Of course making the way pleas
ant and the people presume not backward in their kindly
demonstration and respect for the chief magistrate OF the
land Yesterday there another volunteer parade near
the village of Puentes Grande and good deal Of powder