The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-11-14

-DemolaIization Wrought by the
Communicating Influences of Our
Boasted Christian Civilization.
Wilmington Messenger.
-- 1t is to be doubted if many readers
of the Messenger have any sufficient
knowledge of the character Of Alaska
a comparatively recent addition to
the great American Empire. A recent
work OF much interest upon that far
away country has entertained us. 1t
is entitled chairman Alaska Expedi-
ton to Alaska" 1t was a private
enterprise given by Mr.. f. H. Harri-
man, who invited twenty-five men of
science, three artists and two photo
graphers to become his guests and to
accompany him and his family. Two
large volumes maguiticently illus
trated have been but just issued.
They are models of their kind, and
ticed pens. The famous New England
author. Mr.. John Burrough. writes
the narrative and it is regarded as
well done by successful Interpreter
of nature. This is the book that will
entertain and edify.
The thing that most impressed us
is the grandeur and unrivaled gIories
Mr.. Henry Gaunelt is 50 impressed
that he advises all seekers after
new things and travellers to first see
all the world has to offer before they
attempt to visit Alaska. He says
this:
There is one word of advice and
caution to be given those intending
to visit Alaska for pleasure, for sigaL-
seeing. Ii you are old, 20 hy all
means; but if you are young, wait.
The scenery of Alaska is much grander
than anything else of the kind in the
world, and it is not we'll to dull one 5
capacity..tor ones enjoyment by seeing
the finest first
A visit on steamer from Seattle
by way Of the Inside Passage" n orth-
ward for thousand miles took them
into Prince William sound, where
glaciers were seen and mapped. The
report states:
1--WE were really in one of the work
shops and laboratories Of the elder
gods, but only in the glaciers front
was there present evidence that they
were still at work. | wanted TO see
them opening crevasses in the ice.
dropping the soil and rock they had
transported, polishing the mountains
or blocking the streams, but | could
not. They seemed to knock off work
when we were watching them"
A visit to the peaceful isle OF Ko
diak" fascinated all, and Mr.. DurrougE
beautifully gives this delightful i'm
preston upon himself:
IF we had other days that were
epic. these days were Lyle. | feel as
if | wanted TO 90 back to Kodiak, al
most as if | could return there to
live-so secluded, so remote, so
peaceful; such a mingling Of the
domestic, the pastoral, the sylvan,
with the wild and the rugged; such
emerald heights, such tlowery wales,
such blue arms and recesses Of the
sea, and such vast green solitude
stretching away to the West, to the
North, and to the South-bewitching
Kodiak. the summer of thy freshness
and placidity is still upon me-"
The ship returned in two months
after departure giving the observers
charming views of ''the majestic
panorama of the Paciilc's shores -
They had travelled 5000 mile. and
had Jared we'll There is much given
concerning the '.aboriginal life and
culture of the Indian, Aleut, and
Eskimo" A sad decentralization has
already set in and all because of the
coming, evil example and wicked as
sociations of the alleged Christianized
white man. Let DR.. George Bird
Grinnell, editor of Forest and
Stream be heard here. He writes
entertainingly of these people. Ac-
cording to him, as reported in ''Ths
DIAL" the canneries are rapidly ex-
hausting the salmon streams, the fur
companies have already reduced and
in many cases almost eNterminated
the fur-bearing animals, and with
them have gone the resources for the
life Of these primitive people. Liquors,
| firearms, and the diseases and vices
| Of the white man are rapidly COM
pleting the ruin. Indeed, the con-
tamination Of the civilized is heavy
upon them, and the outlook is gloomy
The half-hearted attempts made by
some of the corporations to re-stocS
the salmon streams, and the more
successful fox farms, make some
reparatien for the havoc wrought by
nature; while the peaceful, prim, bu'
dependent colony OF Metlakta-
thanks to the altruism OF one gener
Gus seul-has brought the blessing:
of civilization 10 one isle at least anC
barred out it's curse. But even herr
the shadows are now looming"
History is filled with doleful. de
pressing examples Of the truth ths
wherever the white man has gone IL
his explorations and conquests b
has carried with him a flaming curs
instead of a benignant and graciou
example. He has left sorro ow ant
vice instead Of happiness and bene
diction.
| Under Russian rule great wrong
and cruelfies were practiced. 1t wa
insufferably bad, but DR.. William
Healv Dali, an authority. states tha
when the United States got posses
sion the cure was long deferred. W
give very striking quotation fron
DIR. Dall's account, ard the rosti
couplet fits precisely to what we salt
lin the preceding paragraphs:
"a history of conditions in Alask
from 1867 to 1897 is yet to be writte
and when written few Americans WI
be able to read it without indignation