Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-27

IL. II
party appeared on the dais there was an
outburst Of applause which drowned every
sound, and 1t lasted until the famous seek
er after new lands had risen from his
Mr. Gardiner G. Hubbard, the president
OF the society. was the first speaker, but be
took up little time, and devoted the most of
1t to the introduction of DIR. Nansen, as the
north pole. Mr.. Hubbard then introduced
Gen. A. W. Greedy, who would, he said,
formally introduce DR.. Nansea to the as
Semblage.
General Greedy gave the highest tribute
that could we'll be paid to the energy, the
indomitable spirit, the bravery and the
knowledge of the explorer.
General Greedy went on to say that in
addition to courage and effort Nansen
possessed to the fullest limit the qualities
CT perception. adaptation and creation. He
SAID that 1t was these qualities that en-
abied Nansen to dominate the most adverse
environments and make them subservient
TO his final purpose and his final success
In conclusion he said: Patience, fore
slght, seif-conf'dence and an indomitable
energy that knew no bounds COMBINED to
a phenomenal audacity of plan and an
amazing skill of execution-these explain
Il Safe drift across the unknown sea- an
extraordinary march to Franz Joseph Land
ana the success of the expedition. So, look
ing southwark across the two hundred and
odd miles of dreary expanse which sepa-
rates The most northern of the American
expeditions from the point reached by Nam
sen' we may well say that in these 100
years of effort to reach the pole the Nor
weg1an has no second"
Introduced by Commodore Melville,
Commodore Melville of the Jeanette ex-
petition then arose to make the personal
introduction. He would not on account of
the lateness Of the hour indulge in a
speech himself. but Immediately introduced
Dr. hansen as 1.-The grandest hero that ever
braved the terrors of the deep"
w men d. hansen arose, and, drawing his
iine Inquire up to its fullest height, stepped
to the front of the platform, the applause
that had been accorded the other speakers
seemed but the gentle zephyr in GONNA rfson
with the tempest. The ladies Joined with
the gentlemen, and many pairs of gloves
were made useless for further wear. Dur
ing this outburst Of enthusiastic welcome
TO the man who has passed through so
much In the cause of science the Marine
band. which had furnished music at in
tervals throughout the evening, played the
national anthem Of Norway and Sweden.
TO which honor DIR. Nansen RESPONDED with
DOW When he was finally allowed to pro-
speak without notes and evident thai he
mad not prepared his speech in advance.
He. OF course, speaks English with a de-
clded accent. but his use Of the language
to with rapt attention, Indicating at once
an interest in the man. as well as in what
he had to say.
DR.. Nansen's Address.
DR.. Nansen spoke as follows:
Mr. President, and members of the Ma
tiona1 Geographic Society-Friends First
OF ALL beg to thank you, to thank this
society, for the very f1attering and most
cordial welcome you have given me In this
greatest country Of the new world. 1t is a
welcome all the more pleasing to me be-
cause 1 know it will touch the heart of
every one of my cOuntrymen; welcome
which ! shall cherish as one Of the most
agreeable recollections of my life
Il take occasion to thank most appre-
clatlVely those two prominent arctic ex-
plorers who have just spoken for the
KIM words In which they have expressed
themselves about my labors and explora-
tions in the arctic regions, and especially
do l thank all of those who have spoken
of the manner in whick my work has been
done.
You have spoken too kindly, in my opin-
ion, as to my achievements. In fact what
l have done is but little. 1t was very easy.
1t was easy, because the way was marked
out for me by these who had gone before.
1t is with arctic exploration as it is with
all other fields of human endeavor, like the
experiences of war, for it is not those who
have fought first and the hardest who are
proclaimed at last the victors in the strife.
THE secret of success in arctic explora-
ton is to take advantage of the experience
and records Of the adventurous spirits who
have gone before, maxim which is true
Of all things in life One must light his
torch at the lamp of experience. So in
preparing myself l read all the accounts l
could get of the sufferings, privations and
other experiences of my predecessors in
this alluring field of research, taking care
to avoid their failings and to profit by their
successes. I read with interest and profit
what had been accomplished by American
explorers. ard, thinking of them, l said
on frNy C1,n To hGxre
duced such men as these.
His Inspiration.
Realizing fully the part played by each
American explorer, 1 wish to mention
pecially Commodore Melville. 1t was his
expedition that gave me the idea and in,
spiration for my plan.
when 1 read the account of that ex-
petition, how it's brave people encountered
almost overwhelming difficulties, of their
desperate struggle for existence and the
advancement of science: when reld those
touching last pages of its history, / felt
that there was in it something most SYM
pathetic for all future explorers. That
history produced in me a feeling which
cannot be expressed in words. 1t recalls
to me Norwegian proverb which is too
hard to reproduce IN your language, to
translate into your words, but it means
that it is not always he who Is in the
front rank Of baoAe who is proclaimed the
NlclOr. America mas sent 1Orth many VINO
have suffered bravely for the BENEFIT of
humanity to increase our knowledge. to
enlarge our view Of the globe we inhabit
1t is often asked, what is the use of arctic
exploration?
Before such an audience I feel 1t I'M
necessary to answer that question: for we
all know that everything that adds to the
beauty of life. everything that opens our
eyes. everything that makes US look at
existence, to a widening and broadening
universe, is worthy of human intelligence
and ambition, and especially when it looks
to the benefit of humanity.
so the history of man has been one con-
tinued struggle to advance himself on all
the lines Of progress, among which is the
field of exploration. In these days it will
be admitted that it would be below the
dignity of humanity to live without inves-
tigating.
Il could not better conclude" he said.
after referring to the chapter in the his
tory of his own country that rcoounts the
adventures of the hardy Vikings who W nt
forth to find Greenland Iceland and final
ly America, than by recalling to you a
line of our poetry that has been to me q
sort of motto and guide:
" Strive to seek. to find and not to yield II"
Impromptu Reception.
At the conclusion of DR.. Nansen's re-
rarke there anofhor DAMN, +too