The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-09-18
The Eagle Screams among the lcebergs
EAR. Seward In Alaska.

Ever since the transaction by which
Russia transferred to the United States, in
exchange for round sum in American
gold, her bleak and barren possessions
lying between the North Pacific and the
Arctic Oceans, the newspapers, without dis
tinction Of party, have been mercilsssly
ridiculing the folly Of the bargain; and Mr..
Seward, who proposed and contaminated
the purchase, has, on all sides, been de-
risively dubbed the "Nstional Real Estate
Agent" But the ex-Secretary Of State has
at last turned upon his fevilers. The latest
mails from the Pacific coast bring US the
report Of speech delivered ct sitka on the
18th ult., in which the Sage Of Auburn, who
nsu Kou0 snvussnus VI mnes co msperL Ine
new possessions, stoutly takes up the cudgel
in vindication Of the worth Of Alaska, and
gloriaes its multiplied advantages and ct
fractions until it really assumes the aspect
Of sort of Promised Land. In fact, Mr..
Seward appears to have made up his mind
to be pleased with all that he saw. The
bigness of what he has bought seems espe-
oially to have delighted his heart. He ex
ultingly tells US that the entire coast line
Of the United States, exclusive Of Alaska,
is 10, 900 miles, while the coast line of
Alaska alone, including the islands, is
5000 miles. The entire land area is
577,8s0 statute square miles. In 30 vast a
region the climate is of course variable; but
he thinks that che must be fastidious
"person who complains of climates in
(Which, while the eagle delights to soar,
"the humming bird does not disdain to
"autter." He ssys, too, that "not only
shave these skies been sufficiently bright
"and serene to give me perfect view,
ssunder the sixtieth parallel, Of the total
"eclipse Of the sun and of the evening star
cat the time of the SUMS obsouration, but
"I have also enjoyed more clear than there
"hsve been cloudy days in the early morn.
"ings and late evenings peculiar to the
''seasen." He goes into raptures over the
frequent and magnificent displays Of the
rainbow and the aurora. "And Of all the
"moonlights in the world, commend me 10
s'thoss which light up the archipelago Of
"the North Pacific Ocean. The thermome-
'ster tells the whole case when it reports
sfhat the summer is cooler and the winter
"is warmer in Alaska than in New York and
"Washington." The speech goes on to
commend the healthfulness Of the territory
in terms which might well discourage q
doctor contemplating emigration. The nat
prsl treasures Of the rivers and seas, the
forests, the mountains and the plains; the
vast end varied mineral wealth Of the soil;
the abundance and value Of the game and
fur-bearing animals; the grandeur Of the
glaciers, and the glories of the matohless
scenery which on every side salutes the
gaze Of the explorer-these topics are
dwelt upon by Mr.. Seward with sn elo-
quence and enthusiasm which many q
younger orator might envy. If, after hear
ing so glowing description Of their latest
territorial acquisition the American people
shall fail to recognize the debt of thanks
they owe to the statesman whose grasping
genius has made this Land of Promise their
own, it will be but one more conspicuous
example of the proverbial ingratitude Of
Republics.