The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1884-08-04
THE NORTH POLE.
SEEKERS OF THE PoLEooRYsTlo
Men VIII Hammer at the Walls Until n
Breach is Made-''All that is
Hidden Must beRevealed''
- 1t is Right.
Arctic Exploration.

There is just now too much thought
less criticism directed against the per-
fectly legitimate exploration of the
Polar regions. 1t is learned that there
has been great suffering and loss of life
in Lieut.. Greely's party, and at once
the whole venture is pronounced foolish,
though we learn at the same time that !
the survivors have brought home the |
records that the party went out to
make.
There are many sufficient reasons to |
prompt the spirit of exploration. Some |
feel 1T almost part of their religion,
and hold it one of the duties of man to
explore the world on which he was
placed; and one of our polar voyagers,
Hall, sacrificed his life in ODE
diance to this ceiling. Missionaries who
lead exploration in many fields follow
duty also, although on different grounds.
But the greatest share Of exploration at
the present day is for direct commercial
advantage, and this is not the most Az
mirable ground for the work. Whatever
good may come OF it, the commercial
explorer is seldom a self-sacrihcing
philanthropist, who leads the way sim
ply for the good OF those who follow; he
generally and justitiably has personal
and pecuniary profit in the foreground
of his thoughts, and his victories are
conquests for gain. The journals of
many geographical societies, which are
ordinarily looked on as emnently scien
tific publications, reveal clearly enough
their mercantile shirt by the frequent
mention of possible roads and passable
mountains IN their pages
There is also exploration for its own
sake; not from aduty or necessity, but
directly from an enthusiasm that some
men feel for the work. IL matters not
whether ii leads to practical or to seem
ingly useless discoveries, it must be
done; and in whatever other way moral
lists and sOciologists would employ these
restless spirits, exploration is what
they can do TO greatest advantage,
They are fitted for it by temperament
and education. People of a quiet and
conservative turn of mind, who find
their duty, work and comfort at home
cannot understand or sympathiZe with
the spirit that prompts man to Il row
ing life; but others quiet as worthy are
wholly controlled by this spirit; il
possesses them, and it must be obeyed.
The gathering of specimens and
the record OF observations during travel
in unknown countries Is no mean task
and those who have not attempted il
from the dangers, that besct the explorer.
The greatest energy and determination
are required TO perseyere in regular oh
seryation, collection and record, in spite
of heat or cold, hunger or thirst.
But the utilitarians ask, what shall be
the use of these records and collections?
At thi day, so strongly characterized by
the practical utilization of theoretical
and seemingly useless researches OF
earlier years, IL is folly to question the
utility of study in any direction where
the taste or ability of aninvestigator may
lead, or to measure the value of results
by the immediateness of their appica-
ton. Thoroughness of knowledge is an
essential to progress, and no corner in
the domain Of fact must remain UNI
searched while willing searchers can be
found. If IL be blindly insisted that NO
good can come from records of tides and
winds In the far North, il Is enough tC
recall the microscopes studies of the
minutest plants and germs, that but q
few years ago were SO far removed from
the practical world, but which the prac
teal world now demands shall he more
closely examined than ever. \ rccen
President of the British Association
cautioned his hearers against settinl
bounds to the advance of human knowl
edge, and the danger OF dividing tn
useless from the useful Is but n corollar,
TO this.
A question may be raised as to tho ad
visibility of polar expeditions being nm
dertaken at this time, and at Nationa
expense, but n fair view of the matte
can lead only to an affirmative answer
There are certain departments of stud,
that are everywhere and properly un
dertaken 10y Government bureaus, anC
prominent among these are investiga
tons of the oceans, of distant and un
known shores, and of all subjects Xix,
tides, currents, winds and storms tina
relate to navigation. In every one o
these subjects thoroughness demands
that Investigation shall be car
ried to its farthest boun
dairy; there is no other stopping
place. If the limits of study seem To re
cede into the distance as the field is OK
anined, then the study must be onl
the more perseveringlv maintained ant
longer continued. This plea has givei
justification enough even to the sporadi
expeditions fitted out from time To tim
by different Governments; but the re-
cent expeditions have had the great nd
vantage over their isolated predecessor
of being cooperative. They were tn
united effort of most of the civilized ma
and observation of what is vet un
known in polar air and ocean, and thi
concert of action promises to yield on
OF the notable scientific advances of Tn
century. When such an opportunit
for international work arises, on wha
ground can there be objection TO on
taking part in it? The observers ar
volunteers, and those who have bee
once on such expeditions oltel
go again undismayed. The COS
is not to be considered; for
nation so wealthy rs ours to DENY itsel
participation in so broad scheme of IN
vestigation, would be like the refusal ,
miser to allow himself the advantage
that his riches amply permit.
III censure or blame is called for,
should not be attached to the object
these expeditions, or to the losses the
may entail, but 10 the ineili iency q
jealousy that, fortunately only i'm raj
cases, havo lcssened their success.
misfortune Overtakes the explorers an
their end BIO sad and painful, such is tn
way OF the world and 1t can all /
matched nearer home, Let us agai
consider If the discoveries of those wl
have gone before are not enough
tempt even the best men 10 follow
search of good achievements - l}osto
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