The Portland daily press., 1884-08-05
PORTLAND, TUESDAY MORNING. AUGUST s. 1884.

Littleton Island on the 22d of June,a fortnight
earlier than any vessel had attained that point be-
lore. Finding there no record of the unfortunate
explorers on the same day they pressed over 70
Cape Sabine. Their haste was necessary. Lieut.
Greeiy and bis party had left Lady Franklin bay on
Inc Sth OF August, ten months before, and aIIer
pushing on in boats and drifting ice foes, yalny
looking for help from the relief party which shoulo
have been at Littleton Island, keeping its tele-
scopes on Cape Sabine and the land to the north
ward they had fixed their winter quarters at the
The provisions at Cape Sabine and Cape Isabella |
had lasted them until March, when they hoped to /
cross to Liteton Island and obtain the $50 rations
left there by the Neptune. But during all this time
the ice at the entrance to Smiths Sound never |
closed, while the boats were lost or consumed for
1ueli and meantime starvation and cold did their
deadly work. One by one the feeble sufferers died
until only seven remained, and these had but Few
hours 70 live But help was now near at hand, and
on the 18th of July the whole civilized world re-
oiced at the telegraphic announcement that Lieut..
Greedy had been found aid saved. To the rescuers |
and rescued of this expedition of 1884 the recep-
lions Of Friday and of to-day have been most fifty
given, and are ere assembled to do them honor.
But our first duty is to pay our tribute of praise
and of mourning to those devoted men who persisted
as truly the field of duty as If they had met their
fate at the lannon's mouth. The people of the |
United States look back upon their record with just
though mournful pride; and wherever throughout |
the world the story of their heroic endeavor and
suffering is told the memory of these martyrs to
duty will forever be cherished and held in honor.
with special tenderness we turn to Lieut.. Greedy |
and his rescued comrades (naming them. They |
are the only survivors American Arctic expl0-
ration party which reached out further towards the
POAO
yatlons were extended into the polar ocean. Their
scientific observations made at fearful cost have
resulted IN valuable additions to our knowledge of
the lands within the Arctic circle. For their suf
ferngs we give them sympathy and pity and to L
comfort, cheer and encourage them we promise /
them the gratitude of their government and their
countrymen as the sole survivors of a polar exped-
ton which will always illustrate American enter
prise and American heroism. Addressing the r. |
vivors, he said: The danger you encountered and
the success you accomplished in bringing succor to
your coqntrymen and comrades of the army, perish
Shnrag baNa
glow of pride and satisfaction in the breast of
every American, and the naeion sill always dwell /
with fond remembrance upon those who shared in Il
the danger and browning SUGGEST of the Greedy re /
lief expedition of 1884.
Other Speakers.
AT the conclusion of Secretary Chandeliers address
| he introduced Coo. Samuel W. Hale of New Hamp Il
shire, who cordially received and who read an
addsess, which was of peculiarly memorial char.
acter He spoke feelingly of the bravery of thsse |
who died for science and of the glory achieved by
the few who returned to enjoy the fruits of their
terrible s1ferings. He paid warm tribute to the
efforts of Secretary Chandler in getting the relief
started so OPPORTUNITY.
When GOV. Ha had concluded, the audience
cheered him very warmly, and Secretary Chandler
then introduced Hon. Samuel j. Randall of Penn
sylvania, who he said, had done much as any in
affecting the rescue of Lieut. Greely and marty nv
securing the passage of the Greedy relief bill in the
House Of Representatives. Mr.. Randall was enthu-
siastically received, and spoke as follows
1t has been my good fortune to aid in finding ont
the Greedy relief expedition and take great graf
iication in that knowledge The rescued and rescn-
will will receive the warmest recognition for their
skill and bravery. Their extent of endurance and |
discipline amid perils almost unparalleled is beyond
an average conception Those who have died in Arc
tic wllds have Gied martyrs and if we all believe |
that knowledge is power then these men deeerve
tho glory OF their country and added to the sum
human knowledge and so long civilization shall |
lest the names of these heroes and martys shall |
1.-Two in human mouths. And am here to testify |
that the Secretary of the Navy has truly represent
ted the desire of Congress without partisan feeling
in his efforts to rescue the Greedy party saw rms
L
pAuse.) Less than that am unwilling to saw aud |
al this time iii perhaps sufficient proper that
say no more.
The audience showed their appreciation of the re-
marks of the eminent congressman from Pennsylva-
ia by giving him perfect ovation of cheers which
repeated Wnen secretary Chandler introduced Sem |
ter Eugene Hale of Maine.
Senator Hale said among other things: "The
expedllon OF which Commander Schley was the
head met with opposition at the outset and its or
ganization and successful issue wBs due in great
measure 10 tllab of1cer's untlring energy. Major
Greedy len his expedition to Lady Franklin BAY in
August, 1881 Two years had passed and winter |
had set in and no intelligence had been received |
from his party. Two expeditions had been sent |
out Tor their relief and both had deploraby failed
Not many could be found perhaps who w9nld saw
that the gallant men sent on so pelilous mis-
sion should be abandoned to their fates but many
were undoubtedly of the impression that IT would
be unWise to risk many valuable lives in endeayor-
ing TO save the Greedy party, however valuable
theiI lives may have been to the nation and the
credit of the rescue is due to the Secretary of the
Navy whose vigilance was sleepless and whose
energy was unfnching in his efforts to find the
proper ottcerS and men. Both officers and men 1
OF the navy were eager to be taken VITA the exped
ton and the spirit Of the navy high as it ALWAYS
has and always will ia any emergency. Our rapidly
uWlndllDg navy ana the apathy OF public sentiment |
as to our need OF navy had not stamped Out the |
ire from the hearts OF our men-o'-wars-meu, a fire
which lived ell as in the hearts of PanI Jones
Decatur and Perry and the skill, courage and dar.
ing of our naval force were not fouud wanting The
President of the United States aud the SECRETARY |
of the Navy anticipated tue action of Congress and
avoided the delay which we now know would have
been fatal in procuring vessels for the expedition
L watched these had folla I
me to take charge OF the relief bill in the Senate
ana could never see how single hour could have
been lost The prayers of the nation went with the
Ihets, Bear ana Alert, 1t is time to go into the
story OF that expedition Commander Schley in
his despatch to the Secretary of the Navy from
ST. Jonn, has told how that work was nobly |
done In less than three months this great work |
was accomplished and this great rescue effected.
senator Hale paid glowing tribute to Command
ers Schley and Coffin and Lieut.. Emery. They are |
all back with us, he said and the natlen welcomes
them ana THANKS them. what can l say OF other |
expeditions whose feeble remnants have been |
brought back to us and to life? Their story will be
told US and our chlldren's children, generations
after are gone. There is blot on tneir record
and there was no blundeIs for which any RESPONSE
bity could be attached to them. In the long sum |
mer when plenty abounded, they utilized their time
IN explorations, which penetrated farther North |
than human foot had ever trod before Ihe story Of
the suerlngs OF the Greedy party is heartrending.
Think of what deepair must nave seized upon their
hearts when one by one they died in the torpor of
we think of Lieut.. Lock God planting the Ameri-
can flag miles farther North than any nations colors
nau ever Deeu planted before. The nation welcomes |
the stout heroes who went out and rescued them.
Secretary Chandler at this point announced that |
1t was Impossible for Lieutenant Greedy amt his
party to be present at the meeting as owing to the
fatigue incident of to-day from which they Slightly
suffered, 1t was not deemed advisable to allow a |
further strain upon them. The Secretary then |
spoke few fitting words about the ioyful reunion |
between Mr. and Mrs Greedy and their friends, and
closed by calling upon Mr.. u. A. Nesmith brother |
of Mrs. Cheeky TO say few words 10 the audience |
Mi. Nesmltn feelingly thanked secretary Chand-
Ter, and particularly Commanders Schley and Coffin
kmnrV orL of tb IL
was evidently much affected with emotion, and his
references to Mr. and Mrs Greely's gratitude were
very touching Mr. Nesmith read the following let
ter from Lieut.. Greedy:
NAVY YARD, PORTSMOUTH, N. H., Aug A.
TO Secretary Chaddter, Coz. Hale and the Citizens
Of Portsmouth:
No reason less serious than sheer inability from
lack of strength health could prevent the pres
ence tonight OF the living members OF the LADY
Franklin Bay expedition. am now unable to tit- |
tngly express how deeply we feel the honor done us
by your assembling here to greet with kindly words
OF welcome the living, and give voice to tender L
sympathy for the dead. During service in the |
Norlh we tried to do our duty. If, in our efforts
aught is found of the work accomplished or of ac-
tions done which touch the hearts Of the people,
we shall feel that our labors and hardships are
more than rewarded. Time and Inclination are |
equally wanting ia which to dwell the done
OF narqfsnlps endured must, however, state that
hour, did we doubt that ths American people were
planning and doing for rescue, through /
thelr representatives, all that lay in human Il
power ana skill From day to day, as food tailed /
and men died, that faith and that certainly gave
strength to us who lived. need not tell what you
well know-hoW the Secretary of the Navy set heart
and soul on our relief and by inducing his suoord-
mates with his own indauntable energy, started the
reet vessels 10 an unprecedently short time. You
know OF the untring zeal and determination which |
animated Capt Schey and the officers of the squad
ron No risk was too great no drains on their /
strength and energy too great when it was possible
that an hour could be gained a mile made good.
So marked were their dispatch AMI energy that had
they known our exact condition AID locality and |
thus avoided thorough and sweeping search from
Cape York and Carys Island to Life Boat cove thew
could not have reached the camp in time to have
saved another life None but those of Arctic ex-
perlence can fully appreciate the wonderful work
done by the squadron and knows better tn an
how inadequate is this tribute TO the navy for its
laboTshow less glorious this work of peace than