The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-10-11
Iii I'LL DATHULC MEENEKEEL OCTOBE

were very similar, were received in 1855,
after their long ice aud boat travel of q
thousand miles Of over eighty days. after
abandoning their vessel in Smith Sound.
This discovery of land gives a new phase
to Arctic exploration. The American
Arctic explorer, DR.. Hayes, predicted land
here some years ago, and has never been in
favor of the route between Spitzbergen and
Nova Zembla. In this he has been sup
ported by Chief Justice DAILY, President of
the American Geographical Society. These
gentlemen have constantly advocated
| Smith Sound as the most available route
| And, indeed, this route has come to be
/ known as the American route. First ex-
pioIed by DR.. Kane in 1853 81, it was still
| further developed by DR.. Hayes in 1860 81,
ana from that time to this the latter ex-
plorer has continually asserted that stout
steamer could, in August of any year, push
through to the open sea, which he believes
in, and then to the Pole. These views
were In some measure strengthened by the
susee of Capt. Hall, who, without any
a Ifhcnity more than would be experienced
In sailing through the East River, steamed
to latitude eigthty-two degrees sixteen
minutes-nearer the Pole than any other
vessel has ever gone. DIR. HAYES thinks
Captain Hall was in the open sea, which
he only reached with dog sledges in the
the ice, after the fashion of the Esouimaux,
Hayes called his highest point of land. in
latitude eighty-two degrees forty. five
minutes. Cape Union. Capt. Hall sighted
land some distance beyond this, and be-
yond eighty. three degrees, SO that Ameri-
cans have still seen land nearer the North |
Pole than this last of the Arctic expeditions
of tue Austrians. The question is practi- |
caliy now narrowed down to a choice be-
tween Smith Sound and Behring's Strait |
above which large body of land has also
been discovered. The English, convinced
of the advantages of the former by the
American successes, are now making
strenuous efforts to induce their govern
ment to fit out an expedition by way of
Smith Sound. This 10 very likely to be
done next spring; but, meanwhile, will not
America stir in the interest of geography
and national reuown3 Let us have an
American expedition to Smith Sound, and
let DR.. Hayes or some competent naval
officer have charge of it. The former has
been there twice, and is the discoverer of
Grlnnell Land, and it is well known that
lack of funds only has prevented him for
years past from making "a third trial. Some
nation will ere long plant its flag at the
North Pole, and why not the Stars and
Stripes? To be sure, it would rot be an
achievement of much utility, except in a
purely scientific point of view; but the
nation would be justly proud of the
achievement, an emotion which is some
times better than too much clarifying of
national wealth and prosperity. 1t is we'll
20 nave gallant deeds sometimes done to
remind us that manly heroism and personal
sacrifice fora principle or cause has not
lied ont since there was a knight without
ear and without reproach, and Sidney
passed the cup of water to the other G
wounded soldier