Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-09-23
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VIII science never call halt oyer the
frequent PROFESSIONS which take then
course toward the Arctic, full of life
aud energy and ambition, and are seer
no more? Is it worth the sacrifice Of
human life already made. TO know what
By any possibility might be found out
even we're some Of the adventurous men
who almost yearly tempt the frozen
grin of the Arctic circle, 70 set foot on
the very northern extreme of our plan
ct. the end OF that imaginary axis upon
which the earth reyolves? Year by ysai
for half a. century sturdy vessels, stored
with all appliances which science ard
skill could provide for preserving life
in those regions Of perpetual ice, ofiic-
cred and manned by gallant men. have
entered the domain Of the ice king,
uenetrated the Businesses of uninhabit-
able regions, and left but a few scatter
ing relics Of their journey or their fate
II, haply and exceptionally fortunate. a
few have succeeded in escaping from
these frozen regions and returned
broken in health, with nerves shattered
and a remembrance of the desolation
through which they have passed,
which, nightmare like, hnunts them
in sleep or waking. Of what avail
has Il all been? This question has been
asked before. II will continue TO be
raised 90 long as men are sent on such
expeditions.
Suppose there be an open ocean sur
rounding the north pole. What then !
Suppose an ice encircled open sun
kissed sea covers the spot which sciences
tells us IL the and of the earth's axis.
What special vslue will it be to human
progress should the fact be ascertained
and duly proven7 Is it worth the almost
annual sacrifice Of brave mems lives
which has marked the source OF Arctic
exploration since Franklin persisted
immersed in the long gloom Of hyper
borean winter? Will IL bring back to
friends aud waiting wives and children
the frozen victims Of this cruel martyr
dom which science has demanded.
Every frozen body, everv ice-locksd
grave, every widow and orphan made
20 by the cruel GOLD of the Arctic. com
bins TO protest that the region which by
the Almighty has been surrendered to
10y desolation be left as He intended,
one Of the unsolvsble mysteries Of the
creation and existence Of our planet. 1t
Ii only short time since the brave
belong and his band OF devoted follow
err, sailed away from the Golden Gate,
northward toward the pole. The
widows and children of those brave
men have not yet ceased weeping for
their dead. And now We learn that an
other party, Lieut.. Greeley's command,
have not been heard from since they
get sail ever two years ago for Arctic
seas. Still worse, the storcship Proteua
sent 70 find them With supplies, lies
orushsd, BY ice. withsall her stores on
board fathoms beneath frozen bay.
No relief can reach them FIR a year to
come. A wall of solid ice bars entrances
and exit TO the wastes which they have
reached. And what of the brave Gree.
10y and his partyf Will they, after suf-
ferinR aGonies beside which the fortunes
Of the inquisition were as nothing. live
through the coming winter and emerge
from that awful charnel house 70 life
and homes once more, or will they, like
20 many Of their predecessors. lie stiff
ened with frost under their shrouds oil
ice and snow until the morning of the
resurrection? IL il not tampering with
0od-Riven existence; 10 IL not cruelty
criminal 20 psrpetuate these voyages t.
the Arctic In quest OF certain scientific
data, or 70 justify some scientific tLeo
riesi viii the world be benefited com
msnsurately. even II success shoult
crown final effort? The question is 1
serious ono.