New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-02-27
THE LATE DR. KANE.
MEETING OF THE AMERICAN GEOGRAPHT-
CAL SOCIETY.


Society was held last evening THE NewYo<k Unives
sity. the Prssident, tie Rev. FRAscIs L. HAWKS,
d. D., presiding. The attendance the occasion was
unusually large and amorg the audience were many of
or leading citizens
After the minutes of the previous meeting were read
and approved, the President said
REMARKS OF The REv. DIR. HAWKS.
GENrLrNEs OF The SOCIETY: II becomes my sad
duty your presiding Off Ser to bring TO your notice
TIE removal by death, Of one Of our most distinguished
associates. Our friend DR.. Kane IL no more. knew
him inr ately and the strong bond Of our personal
friendship, while he lived prompts me to solicit your
indulgence If depart from the formslty of 9 mere
official announcement on this occasion, and render nv
brief and humble tribute TO the worth OF aman whom
greatly loved In my observation of human nsturs 1t
hiss seldom fallen 70 my lot TO meet fellow being pos
essed Of more striking exceDences, or In whom there
was a combination more rare of seemingly opposite
qualities IN BIN, however, they were all hsrmoniousiy
biz nded and il was precisely this fact which-made him
to me an object of deep and sfecionate interest. To
fine mind. inquriDg aud analytical be added great
industry; and what he deemed worthy OF study at all
be studied thoroughly The range Of his attain.
largely over the widespread field Of physical
science. Both varied and accurate a. were his at
taiumerfr, there beautiful simplicity aud
modesty so blended with them, that one even could
sutpect him Of feeling his superiority in learning
the with whom be gled. He had not studied for
ostentsous display, but for usefulness in his STATEN
The strong trait in bis character was hu indomtable
combined iron will, giant power of resolute pur-
pose. Impulsve, ardent a, he was BY nature one
might Rave expected that hs would BE- just the dispcei.
ton to leap premsturey TO conclusions; but very
eight acquaintance proved that such was net bis
habit of mind. Rsrely have seen go much Of impul'
rive warmth blended with the eoberness OF patient,
laborous inquiry, and sound practical Judgment a. 10
him. Thus for instance, the strong conviction he had
of the open Polar ses which he lived long enough to
dicover, was founded en- no has,y or happy guess.
In conversations which he held with me on the
probabilities of its existence, when our discussion
turned entirely scientific considerations found that
be had reasoned bis conclusions by chain OF in
6uetop almost as strictly severe ~ mathematical
demonstration; indeed, part q his process was mshe-
NAUTICAL. Before he called, he told me he was sure
there was open water around the pole, and that If he
lived TO return he hoped TO be able to tell me be had
seen IL He DO more proceeded on conjecture merely
than did Columbus in bis assertion OF the existence 0,
our hemisphere. But with these intellectual traits, and
with great personal ntrepdity he had genteness OF
heart as tender as g womau's. There was an over
flowing kindiness in his soul which stirred up his De-
nevoeI to its lowest depths when he encountered hu.
man misery, whether of body or mind lie spared not
tine nor toll nor money, to relieve It may not vo
late the sacred cor dence Of private friendship under
aDy circumstances and least of all when the grave
has for time sundered the ties which bound US as
earthly friends together but were lawful 10 speak Gil
know this point, both az bis amoner ana sdvsee'
could move your generous senslbites even TO tears
by stoee Of az pure disinterested liberal self sacrhc-
ing efforts for Others as any il has been my lot to meet
with in the records Of human benevolence. Alas my
couL men, what his early grave but noble tessi'
monis TO his humanity He 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, Sr INT
II. GrinnelD, can bear witness with me to hls
You have seen him when with gentle nrmness'
when love and resolution were botn uuns.sh'
ABLY presert and both marveiousiy penoeo-
tna nntN a
Of ,snbordination and rebellion in the person OF the
engaged reckless ard desperate seamen VINO refuses
obedience, and who possessed physical power that
could have killed him with blow. You have seen
that light, frail frame, THAI alss' now sleeps IA
approach with quick, firm step, and with no weapons
but such as nature gives be 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
hut talks and there Is some strange magic In nus man
Ler and bis words; for presently the tears oeg'n
roll down the rugged sun burnt cheeks OF the HARDY
sesman; he has humaDized hum by some mysteriou
power mace up of love ard reason mixed. Rebellion
dies and in its plsce ia born reverence and afecnoI
so dep devoted that to the end of our dead end
life none love him better than the vapquished rebel
There were some of bis qualities as man. Or what
he has done in the cause of science, and OF chosen
department In particular there Is but little need hat
shoud speak, in short Of but 80 year, he has
left upon the times in which he lived his impress so
indeliby stamped tha. science numbers him with her
martyrs and will not let his memory die. lie has told,
too so beautifully and modestly the story OF Ms last
suffering pilgrimage in her cause, and that OF be-
ne Violence that his remembrance will be KEEP. green IN
the lard of our fathers well in our own; for the
English language Is our common property, and that
which is re gsered in the literature OF that tongue
love to think destined to long existence and wide
diffusion on our globe Had he done less in seenc.
England would not forget him. for his bene VIOLENT heart
led him to seek the relief of Eugishmen, undismayed
by the horrors and pers of Arctic voyage but what
be mpshed in science secured 10 him the generous
u bute of ack wledgment and admiration from EGG
l., a. flo Ia al
our sister institution the Royal Geographical Society,
her highest tribute to eminent service ID geographic Al
discovery.
And "a for ourselves there is little danger tina.
hall forget him. He was a noble specimen Of man. and
be was our counhymsn. Letters may yield graceful
tribute to bis worth language fitted to her mournfdl
theme; sceI ce may rear bis monument. ana Toll tne
world she weeps over Of her most gifted sons and
this is all right but there 10 more tou;nng TRIBUTE 70
bis memory than either of these;
Affection 81 all ,.nderly cherish his worth,
A Aot .s%g ,, ss.py S sn.a "s stone
Bot IN those Joad heat, The,s best 'trGi kn0pa.'
MIA CoscKLIs then offered the following pre-
amble and resolutions:
This Society having been informed o. the death Of
ElHhs Kent Kane, and deemiDg 1t due aike 70 tne
memory Of cur deceased associate and TO the Society,
that his daring in the cause OF humanity ard bis
achievements in scence should be 6ty commemoraed,
therefore, belt
R,,,,a That In the death OF Dr. ths Society
tbs ie, Of member whose name l. iusous before the Ma
Tic D. and the civilized world and whose iAn we
would an believe will be enduring as 10 deserved, OF one
whose epnobe and shed the highest honor upon
the land wheh gave Nun birth. -, -, -.
Rsored That while lament the 10 u untmey o:s .,
h life Was prolonged enable him 20 NIL up the
measure Of bis that his youth but renders hs
great example the e0qurnfto US and the more "
posisriiy . =, l. ....s o. ,,.t. .,,,n..
snt, for the delivery future day OF suitable eooC
upon the life Sno character Of Dr.. Kane. 49, ,,,
Rsolred That scopy Of these resolutions WI. .ne
itt,d 10 the family the deessed and that they b. paoned
President KING Of Columbia College arose and eec-