Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1856-04-11

umphed mainly in their enterprise. and the
wants Of sustenence and health domlnded a
retreat, contemplate their departure from
their ice bound ship, and witness them with
dogs and sledges, for the space OF eighty-two
days, struggling over a cheerlcsa and rugged
country, suffering constantly from the in
tense severity Of the climate.
About this time it was, Sir that within
the halls ut Congress was heard the voice
Of beucyoeuce. pleading n eloquent tones
for relief Tor those gallant men relief for
Dr. Kane, who, 1t was feared, would perish
10 his daring Efforts 10 relieve Sir John
Fmnkiu. To that voice the response was
prompt Men who hive done and suffered
So much deserve the gratitude Of their coun-
try.
Bot Mr. President am for proper no.
tice Of the expedition IN view Of the saluia-
ry influence the act would evidently exercise
i is such public recognition Of great quail
tics that hegets n proper spirit Of emulation
amongst lhe gifted and tie good-that deyel-
ops the genius and the patriotism Of our peo-
Pile. Aud have we not, on this idea timcs
without number Sir, complimented those
who have distinguished themselves in battle,
or even in the councils of the nation? Have
no no' extended 10 such the bounty Of the
country, and given perpetuty 90 their fame
by indehbe records Aud shall he who
bmvcly encountcrd the elements 100 the cause
OF benevolence and science, 10 the imminent
hazard of life, be less cherished So much
Dr. Kane has done and endured.
Some Of the ancienis, we read, honored
civilians as well as soldiers and surely IN
no age, ancient or mpdcn should the daring
navigator and discovercr command less of
bis county's admiration and bounty. The
brave man who plants the flag uf his country
in the enemy's camp is worthy OF dlstinc.
ton, but not more SD than he who extends
the limits Of civilization aud human knowl-
edge, at the risk of life aud lie loss of
health and comfort. The more desperate IN
battle do not evince a higher degree Of true
courage. WhJslever compares The present
map Of The world, with physical geography
os known 10 the ancleuts viii be prepared
20 appreciate the value OF dis coycr.es, and
the merits Of those who have added so-much
to our knowledge of the formation of the
globe on which we live "a knowledge illus.
trative of an our accepted theories OF the
wonderful structure Of the uniyerse-of as
uon1my and geography all tending TO the
ends OF civilization aud christianity Who
ever attempts 20 gather up and contemplate
the bounl'ess and brilliant achievements of
navIgators from the days uf Scyiax, the
Greek, five hundred and twenty-five years
before the Chrstan era down to ru Ella, ,he
jew, may ful % difficult 60 determine exact
By what nayigators and explorers did accom-
plish ln that age of the world but, beginn-
ing with Paul, the Italian, 10 l296. and tac-
ing the achievements of Vaudeville, of Ca
damesio. of Columbus, of Vesspuci, Of Mag
elan, Of Cabot, of Csvendish, Of Sir Francis
Drake, Of Walter Raleigh. Of Captain Cook
and others 100 past centuries and those Of
Humboldt Of franklin, OF Ross, oi Richard
son, Of Perry, of Mcclure, Of Kane, and
others of the nineteenth century, will be
justly impressed with the valuable services
this class of scientific and devoted men
have rendered 10 their fellow-men; how
much they have contributed TO the ends Of
civilization 20 the purposes OF huuan
knowledge, aud of their genuine merits as
class They are entitled to the gratitude
and admiration Of the whole human race,
and will be to the end of time.