New-York tribune., 1906-12-16
MEDAL FOR PEARY.
Presented By Mr.: Roosevelt in Be-
half of Geographic Society.
IFrom The Tribune Bureau. ]


Washington. Dec. 15.-The President at the
annual dinner of the National Geographic So
ciety tonight presented to Commander Robert
=. Peary on behalf of the society. q gold medal
awarded to the Arctic explorer in recognition of
his feat In reaching the farthest North. The
dinner was attended by a distinguished COM
pany. including members Of the Cabinet am
bassadors and their wives and many scientists
and the spirit OF the evening of felici-
tation over the recent exploits Of American ex-
piorers notably the expedition Of Commander
Peary and the ascent Of Mount Mckinley by
Dr. Frederick A. Cook. Of New York. who
a guest OF honor sitting next to Commander
Peary
AT the tables were seated four hundred guests
Wills l.. Moore Of the National Geographic So
ciety presided, and the committee assisting In
ciuded Alexander Graham Bell. W. ]. Board
man. Edward Everett Hale John w. Foster
Arnold Hague. Rear Admiral Colby NJ Chester.
General William Crozer and John B. Hender-
son. jr. Toasts were responded to as follows:
"Consratulations from Italy on Americas
Farthest North" by the Italian Ambassador.
the Navy.
"Farthest North" by Commander Robert f.
Peary.
'"rhe Top of North America" by Dr. Frederick
A Cook
President Roosevelt arrived shortly after IL
o'clock and his entrance into the hall was the
signal for an outburst OF applause. The Presi-
dent IN a brief address paid a tribute to Com
mander Peary. He spoke as follows:
count myself fortunate In having been asked
to be present this evening at such a gathering
and on behalf Of such a society to pay a tribute
of honor to an American who emphatically de-
serves we'll of the commonwealth. (Appause)
Civilized people usually live under conditions OF
life so easy that there is certain tendency TO
atrophy of the harder virtues. And 1t is relief
to pay signal honor to man who by his
achievements makes it evident that in some of
the race, at least there has been no loss of hardy
virtue.
said some loss Of the harder virtues. We
Will do we'll to recollect that the very word
virtue. in itself. originally signifies courage and
hardihood. When the Roman spoke of virtue
he means that sum of qualities that we charac-
terize manliness.
1 emphatically believe in peace and all the kim
dred virtues. (Applause) But think that they
are only worth having II they come as a conse-
quence Of possessing the combined virtue OF
courage and hardihood. so feel that In an age
which naturally and properly excels. as 1t should
excel, in the milder and soften qualities, there
is need that we should not forget that In the
last analysis the safe basis OF a successful ma
tional character must rest upon the great fight
ing virtues. and those great fighting virtues can
be shown quite well in peace as In war.
They can be shown in the work OF the philan-
thropist. in the work of the scientist. and most
emphatcally of ALL In the work Of the explorer.
who faces and overcomes perfls and hardshlps
which the average soldier never In his life
knows In war. after all. 1t is only the man at
neaO
from the subordinate generals down through the
privates, are cheered and sustained by the. sense
of companionship and by the sense of divided re-
sponsibty.
You turning 10 Commander Peary), the man
whom we join to honor tonight, you, who for
months in and months out, year in and year out,
had to face perils and overcome the greatest
risks and difficulties. with resting on your
shoulders the undivided responsibility which
meant life death to you and your followers
you had 10 show in addition what the modern
commander with his great responsibility does
not have to show. You had TO show all the
moral qualities in war. together with other
qualities. You did great deed, deed that
counted for all mankind. deed which reacted
credit upon you and upon your country. and
on behalf of those present. and speaking also
for the millions OF your countrymen, take
pleasure I'm handing you this Hubbard Medal,
and IN welcoming you home from the great feat
which you have performed. Commander Peary.
prolonged applause)
In his response Commander Peary referred to
the feats of Abruzzi and others, and said that
he had the most unbounded admiration and
spect for those who devoted their time, their
abilities and their money to adding to the sum
OF human knowledge.