Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1857-06-20


Those OF our readers who have read the
late work Of DR.. KANE, giving an account OF
bis explorations in the Arctic regions, in
search OF Sir JONI FRANKLIN, will, no doubt,
recollect the history of WM. c. GODFREY, who
deserted from the expedition in its darkest
and most gloomy period, and took up his
quarters among the Esquimaux Indians.
DR.. KANE, who commanded the expedition,
under the instructions aud discipline Of the
Navy department, determined to punish this
oct Of characterization, and followed GODFREY
distance of about 30 miles, and single
handed captured and brought him back.
Since the death of DR.. KANE, o certain pub
Usher in Philadelphia, stimulated, no doubt,
| By the great sale Of DR.. KAsR's book, has
| concluded to publish an account Of bis expe-
diton, of which this man GoDrREr is to be
| the hero and narrator. A card was, there
| fore, published in a number Of the city papers,
| over the signature Of GODFREY, in which he
attacks the veracity Of DR.. KANE, and accuses
him Of cruelty, injustice and dishouorable
| conduct This card, which is evidently an
advertisement got up to sell the book, is not
endorsed by the city press, bot we regret to
| find that a few Of the cosntry editors bave
swallowed the bait, and none more eagerly
than our neigbbor Of the Sunbury Gczette'
who does not hesitate 10 cast the most unjust
! and uugenerous imputatons on the character
Of DIR. KANE, and attempts to tarnish the
| fair fame Of one whose whole life, though ol
daring and adventure, has been one of noble
aims and generous impulses.
| GoDFREy says that DR.. KAHB's structures
on bis character has so pTejudiccd the public
against hial, that ho is obliged to drive an
omnibus for living. Omnibus driving is
neither discrcditabe or degrading and there is
no evidence that GODFREY was fitted for a
higher station, while the presumption is, that
many better men ore now engaged in the
same calling. There is one feature alone, il
the case of GODFREY, which is sufficient tc
condemn his whole story as incompatible
with the truth. We refer to the fact, that
he tamoly and quietly submitted TO thes,
charges, while DR.. KANE was living, and only
assumed the courage Of self defence, afte
the silent grave had covered all that wa
mortal of his former commander. 1t is wors,
than idle for him TO say now that he was tot
poor to defend himself No respectabl,
paper in the city, or elsewhere, would hav,
refused to publish his defence or denial
Besides, two shillings would have procure,
the insertion of hie protest, as on advertise
ment.
To open the grave aud rake up the ashc
Of the dead has, in oil ages, been considered
disreputable, aud will neither excite the sym
pathy or meet with the appreciation of gen
erous people.
The editor Of the Gazette is equally uneor
tunate in his philosophy when be asserts, il
reference TO GODFREY, that courage ON
generosity preclude the possibility Of ba
character TLis is bold, us well as a ne,
. principle in moral ethics, and sets at defiunc
oil the previously conceived opinions OF Paley
Wsyland and other writers on moral philoso
ply. Courage and generosity" are trait
not unfrcquently possessed, by the mos
noted criminals, who would hardly, ON thu
account, be entitled TO certificate Of goo
character"