The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-26
TWO CHRISTMASES.

TWO CHRISTMASES,
A cold Christmas with the snow banked
high against fences and hedges, with the bells
jingling and the spirited horses speeding over
the whitened highways is thoroughly enjoy
able in this latitude. The feast and the we'll
nigh universal good cheer that obtain all
over this region the home comforts, the
glowing fire and ample resources at hand,
combine to make a snowy Christmas rather
enjoyable than otherwise In marked con-
trast with all the scenes of jollity and
good will that gladdened this hospitable
region was the experience of the Greedy party
one year ago. The diary written by Leuten-
ant Lockwood reveals the pitiable condition
which they were in as Christmas drew nigh.
Subsisting on the scantiest fare, it was neces-
sary that every economy should be practiced,
even to the verge of absolute starvation.
Thousands of miles from home and the COM
forts and conveniences of civilization, impris-
oned by the impenetrable bars of an
arctic winter, with little or no hope
of relief and ultimate release, these
men sought to dispel the gloom that beset
them, and agreed among themselves that
nothing should be said to mar the pleasures
Of the day." What lesson to all who are dis
posed to grumble on Christmas that things
are no better. Slowly but surely starving to
death on bleak Cape Sabine, with literally no
possibility of deliverance, except by organized
relief expedition, since they were as far from
the highways Of commerce as from home, the
outlook was gloomy to the utmost. If any
reader of the journal is dissatisfied with the
good fortune that has fallen to his lot here,
it were well for him to read the excerpts
made in yesterdays journal from the diary
kept by Lieutenant Lockwood under such try
ing circumstances.
There can be nothing but unqualified praise
for the men who braved so much, and who
endured with such heroic fortitude. But it
may well be questioned what excuse can be
offered for the wanton sacrifice of life and
pole. The poor apology that the meteoro-
logical discoveries would be of immense value
to humanity is not sufficient to disguise the
fact that an inordinate desire to achieve the
impracticable if not impossible, is the actual
ing motive that lies behind every arctic ex-
petition. Science is already in possession of
data relative to atmospheric phenomena OF
circumpolar regions, and it is doubtful if very
valuable acquisition would be made by the
exploration of the circumscrbed region not
yet traversed. The differences between the
regions already visited end studied and the
remaining seven degrees lying Immediately
about the pole, can scarcely be greater than
those in the same space of latitude on either
side the equator. The idea of a practicable
northwest passage has been pretty thoroughly
exploded, so that the interests Of commerce cut
no figure in the reckless attempts to reach the
extreme north. Now that there are no living
explorers cribped in the ice Of that region,
and especially since our national pride has
been satisfied by the fact that an American
has gone little further north than has the
representative Of any other nation, the United
States should be content to give over arctic
exploration for time, so that we may have
no more sickening accounts of suffering,
death and even cannibalism. Warmed by the
glow of Christmas fires, and moved by love
of humanity, let us not soon again consent to
subject brave men to such foolhardy undertake
ings and inevitable suffering.