Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-08-05

erous in securing the vessels for the expe-
dition. | watched these things closely for il
had fallen on me to take charge of the relief
bill in the Senate and could never see how
a single hour could have been lost The
/ p-Ayers OF the nation went with the Thetis,
Bear and Alert. Ii is no time TO 81 into the
I story of the expedition. Commander Schley
/ in his dispatch to the secretary Of the navy,
Z from ST Johns. has told us how that work
was done. In less than three months this
work was accomplished and this great rescue
effected. Senator Hale here paid glowing
tribute TO Commanders Schley and Coffin
and Lieut. Emory. They are all back with
us, he said, and the nation welcomes them
and thanks them. The story OF the suffer
ings of the Greely party Is heartrending.
Think of what despair must seized on their
hearts when one by one they died in the torpor
OF death in Arctic sleep. We thrill with
emotion as We think of Lieut.. Lockwood
planting the American flag miles farther
north than any nations colors had ever been
planted before. The nation welcomes the
stout heroes who went out and rescued them
Secretary Chandler at this point announced
that il was impossible for Lieut. Greely and
party to be present at the meeting as owing
10 the fatigue incident of today. from which
thev slightly suffered, il was deemed advisa-
bic TO allow no further strain on them. He
then spoke few fitting words about the joyful
reunion between MIR. and Mrs. Greedy and
their friends aud closed by calling upon Mr.
c. A Nesmith, brother Of Mrs Greedy TO say
a few words to the audience, Mr. Nesmith
teelingly thanked the secretary and particu-
larly Commanders Schley and Coffin and 1t.
Emory for their work of the rescue. He
evidently much affected with emotion and his
references 10 Mr. and Mrs. Greely's gratitude
were very touching, and he read the following
letter from Lieutenant Greedy.
NAVY YARD. PORTSMOUTH, Aug. t.
Secretary Chandler, Gov Hale and the
citizens of Portsmouth No reason less Sc
rious than sheer inability from lack Of
strength and health could prevent the presence
tonight of the living members of the Lady
Franklin Bay expedition | am unable fit
tingly to express how deeply We feel the honor
done US by your assembling here to greet
with kindly words OF welcome the living, and
70 give voice to tender sympathy for the dead.
During our service north, We tried to do our
duty, if in our efforts aught is found of work
accomplished, or of actions done which touch
the hearts of the people, we shall feel our la
borS and hardships are more than rewarded.
Time aud inclination are equally wanting IN
which to dwell on work done or hardships
endured. | must state that never for a mo-
ment in our darkest or gloomest hour did
We doubt that the American people were
planning and doing for our rescue through
their representatives all that lay in human
power or skill. From day to day as food
failed and men died that faith and certainty
gave strengh to us who lived. | need not tell
what you well know, how the secretary of the
navy set heart and soul on our relief, by i'm
bruing his subordinates with his indomitable
energy, started relief vessels in an unpreced-
sl Il
and determination which animated Capt.
Schley and officers of the squadron, no risk
was to great, no draws on strength and energy
too great, when it was possible that an hour
could be gained or a mile made good
So marked were their dispatch and energy
that had they know our exact condition and
locality and thus avoided thorough search
from Cape York and Careys Island to Life
Boat Cove they could not have reached us in
time to save another life. None but those of
Arctic experience can fully appreciate the
wonderful work done by the squadron and
no one knows better that how inadequate is
this tribute to the navy tor laours. Not less
glorious in this work of peace than they have !
always been in time of war. We thank you
for your kind deeds, thoughtful consideration
and tender sympathy to and for us all, the |
living and the dead.
Most sincerely,
(Signed) A. w. GREELY.
First Lieutenant of Fifth Cavalry, A. S. o., |
and Assistant Commander of Lady Frank |
lin Bav Expedition.
Gen Hazen was then introduced by the |
navy and gave in interesting account of the
details of the organization of the Lady |
Franklin Bay expedition and the unfortunate
relief expeditions that followed.
Other interesting addresses were made by
ex-Secretary of the navy Robeson, Command |
ers Schley, Coffin and Emory. All of these
gentlemen and officers were profuse in praise
of the work done for the rescue of the Greey |
party by the navy department and praised
secretary Chandler for the important meas
ures taken by him in fitting out the expedi- |
tiOn.