Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1884-08-09
ELEF

Ever since iha, great epoch Of dis
coycry, when John Cabot attempted the
North Pole. thcrc have been those
who, baliled not by the failure Of their
predecessors, and not discouraged by
tales Of intense suffering, have essayed
10 penetrate the icy Nnth. Various
views OF the problem are taken 10y
various people. After each eNpcndi-
turc, ending usually in death and dis
astcr, the vast majority OF unthinking
people, holding up their hands IN hor
ror NJ such suffering, at such a waste Of
magnificent manhood, exclaim Put q
stop to il " We appreciate the feeling
tha, prompts this uttcrlnce And yet
j, is this feeling Of sympathy for the suf
feriug, this admiration for the heroism
displayed by these Arctic sufferers, that
in part is our legacy. Il is safe TO
say that 90 other kind of literature has
such fascination for boys as that Of
adventures, travels and discovery
How charmed we have all been IN
reading stories of the old adventures,
Cabot, Frobisher, Nasco dc Cana and
Magellan and those younger adven-
turers, Sir John Franklin and DR.. Kane.
The stories of their suferings, their
bravery, their healthy and robust man
hood, will never fail to charm and to
inspire the healthy-minded boy. While
knowledge of whatsoever kind is be
licved to be within reach of humanity,
there will always be those, who, taking
no thought of the cost Of either life OF
means, will throw themselves into the
struggle for its attainment Well for
progress that it is so and unfortunate
for humanity when the spirit of "Wll
it Payi' shall prevail We are not be
hind any utilitarian in the appreciation
OF the comforts which practical scientific
discovery give to its devutees yet We
think that the useful results Of any dis.
coYery should not weigh one iota
in the truly scientific mind. II
will most assurediy add to the
sum of knowledge, il the North Pole
can be reached and anything which
adds TO human knowledge adds to hu
est aim OF science is to acquaint mar
with his surroundings environment
and, however we may protest agains
the waste Of life and of means, If the ef
fort to reach the North Pole is deemeC
possible we should applaud the spin
OF daring and OF manhood which sacri
hces us to the accomplishment of thi
end, The same Inquiries" twill ii payl'
what practical good can come ofit?'
have been the cry Of the many in al
the ages in regard 20 all scientific dis
coverers from 1hales to Greeley. i
would be easy to prove that every sci
en,ifc truth yet discovered has been or
will be Of incalcu able benefit to hu
manIty, and besides the example lef
by those who voluntarily walk with i;
firm step to the sacrifice, the ''prac,i
cal good resulting is ever worth ID,
cost With mcager reports at hand
it would he hazardous to predict tn,
results Of the expedition, but they are
sufficient to warrant the belief that ,
point was reached further north thar
mas hllherto Decn attained by Whit
men. In the matter OF meteorological
barome,rie and ,herometric data, III,
records seem to be complete, Thes,
facts, together with the light thrown OF
the topography and electrical condition
OF the auroral regions during thret
years residence, will be OF the highes
scientific value Again, while givinl
all sympathy to the friends and hamiie
OF the suffering and starved in the re
gons Of eternal ice, let us not fail L
bestow willingly yundying gratitude onth
heroic Greeley and his surviving CON
panions for their example Of true mar
hood.
No little hoLor is dne Mr. s. 1
Bishop in resigning a position he va
led to feel was held to the discon
fort OF all others i'm the survey dcpart