The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-03-21
Tribute to DR.. Kane by the Rev. DR..
A HaWks


Tribute to DR.. Kane by the Rev. DR..
M Hawks.
A special meeting of the American Geo.
graphical Society was held On Thursday
evening at the New York University. the
President, the Rev. Francis L. Hawks, D. D.
presiding. The attendance on the occasion
was unusually large, and among the audi
ence were many of the leading citizens.
After the minutes of the previous meeting
were read and approved, the President said:
Gentlemen Of the Society,": 1t becomes my
sad duty, as your presiding officer, to bring
to your notice the removal by death of one
of our most distinguished associates. Our.
friend, Or. Kane, is no more. | knew him
intimately, and the strong bond of our per-
sonal friendship, while he lived, prompts me
to solicit your indulgence if l depart from
the fcrmality of a mere official announce
ment on this occasion, and render my brief
and humble tribute to the worth of man
whom greatly loved. In my observation
of human nature, it has fallen to my lot to
meet fellow-being possessed of more stri-
king excellencies, or in whom there was
combination more rare of seemingly opposite
qualities in him, however, they were all bar
moniously blended, and it was precisely this
fact which made him to me an object of deep
ard affectionate interest. To fine mind,
inquiring and analytical, he added great in
dustry; and what he deemed worthy of stu
dy at all, he studied thoroughly. The range
OF his attainments, too, was varied, and he
had roamed largely over the widespread
field of physical science. Both varied and
accurate as were his attainments, there was
"a beautiful simplicity and modesty so blen-
ded with them, that no one ever could sus-
pect him of feeling his superiority in learn
ing over those with whom he mingled. He
had not studied for ostentatious display, but
for usefulness in his station. The strong
trait in his character was his indomitable
energy. In his small and feeble frame there
was combined an iron will, giant power of
resolute purpose. Impulsive, ard ardent as
ne was by nature, one might have expected
that this would be just the disposition to
leap ematurely to conclusions; but a very
sllgffVacqualntance soon proved that such
was not his habit of mind. Rarely have |
seen so much of impulsve warmth blended
Fwth the soberness of patient, laborious in
qulry, and sound practical judgment, as in
him. Thus for instance, the strong convic-
ton he had of the open Polar Sea, which lie
lived long enough to discover, was founded
on no hasty or happy guess. In converse
ton which he held with me on the probable
tiles OF its existence, when our discussion
turned entirely on scientific considerations,
l found that he had reasoned out his conclu-
siOns by chain of induction almost as
strictly severe as mathematical demcnstra-
ton; indeed, part of his process was mathe-
NAUTICAL. Before he sailed, he told me he
was sure there was open water round the
pole, and that if he lived to return he hoped
to be able to tell me he had seen it. He no
more proceeded on conjecture merely than
did Columbus in his assertion of the exist
ence OF our hemisphere. But with these in
tellectual traits, and with great personal in
trepdity, he had gentleness of heart as
tender as woman's. There was an over
flowing kindness in his soul which stirred
up his benevOlence to its lowest depths when
he encountered human misery, whether of
body or mind. He spared not time, nor toll,
nor money, to relieve it. | may not violate
the sacred confidence of private friendship
under any circumstances, and least Of all
when the grave has for time sundered the
ties which bound us as earthly friends to-
gether; but were it lawful to speak all |
know on this point, both as his almoner and
ADVISER L could move your generous sensi
bilitles even to tears, by stories of as pure,
disnterested LIBERAL self-sacrificing efforts
for others, as any it has been my lot to meet
with in the records of human benevoence
Alas! my countrymen, what is his early
grave but noble testimonial to his hymani-
ty? He is dead himself, because he would
snatch others from death.
Another remarkable trait in his character
was the power he had Of commanding and
exercising an irresistible influence over men.
You, sir, (Mr H. Grinnell) can bear witness
with me to this. You have seen him when,
with gentle firmness, when love and resolu-
ton were both Enthusiastically present and
both maryelously blended-you have seen
him encounter the unequivocal purpose of
INSTRUMENTATION and rebellion in the person
of the enraged, reckless and desperate sea-
men who refused obedience, and who pos
sessed physical power that could have kill
ed him with blow. You have seen that
light, frail frame, that, alas, now sleeps in
death, approach with quick, firm step, and
with no weapons but such as nature gives,
he but fixes his keen eye on the offender. and
the clear sound of his voice, rings upon the
ears in no tone of passion or anger. He but
talks, and there is some strange magic in his
manners and his words; for presently the
tears begin to roll down the rugged, sun
burnt cheeks of the hardy seamen; he has
humanized him by some mysterious power
made up of love and reason mixed. Rebel
lion dies, and in its place is born reveren-
&c and affection so deep, so devoted, that to
the end of our dead friends life, none loved
him better than the vanquished rebel.
These were some of his qualities as man.
OF what he has done in the cause of science,
and of our chosen department in particular,
there is but little need that should speak.
In short career of but 35 years, he has
left upon the times in which he lived his i'm
press SO indelibly stamped that science num-
bers him with her martyrs, and will not let
his memory die. He has told, too, so beau
tfully and modestly the story of his last
suffering pilgrimage in her cause and that of
benevOlence, that his remembrance will be
kept green in the land Of our fathers as we'll
as in our own; for the English language is
our common property, and that which is reg
istered in the literature of that tongue, |
love to think, is destined to long existence
and wide diffusion on our globe Had he
done less in science England would not for
get him, for his benevolent heart led Inn to
seek the relief of Englishmen, undismayed
by the horrors and perils Of an Arctic voy-
age; but what he accomplished in science