The Washington herald., 1906-12-16

/ Amid the greatest enthusiasm Presi-
! dent Roosevelt. at the annual dinner OF
the National Geographic Society last
j evening, presented to Commander Robert
f. Peary, L. S. y, the gold medal
awarded by the society for notable
/ achievements in scientific research, and
which, in honor Of the first president OF
! the society, is called the Hubbard Medal.
The dinner was held al the New viii
lard. and the big banquet han was
crowded with tables, every seat at which
was filed. The decorations were elabo-
/ rate and ornate, and the United States
Marine Band furnished the music When
the many guests had gathered at their
places. the band. at a signal from the
| president Of the society, played The Star
/ Spangled Banner" and at once huge
] bouquets suspended against the wall burst
and disclosed flying American flags
/ Many and distinguished were the guests.
/ On the right hand of President Willis L.
Moore sat Secretary Of the Navy Charles
J. BOn2parte, and on his left sat the
Italian Ambassador. Baron Mayor des
Planches. Next to these sat Commander
PeaTy and the japanese Ambassador.
Most Of the notable members Of the Ma
tional Geographic Society were there.
with large representation from the va
rious embassies
The first toast of the evening was drunk
TO the President Of the United States.
and while the guests were standing.
/ President Moore asked all to Join him in
f
president Of the society, Gardiner Greene
{ Hubbard.
( IN his introductory remarks President
Moore called attention 10 the fact that
the National Geographic Society num-
beTed in its ranks the best men Of the
great nations Of the world: he declared
that there were present at the dinner
some Of the men who had achieved the
greatest discoveries IN science. the great
est lawmakers, the highest represent
atives Of the church He said that from
small beginnings the society had grown
until il now numbered 5000 members, and
he added. we are not modest in our am
bitions; we wish 10 know ali about the
earth, and the waters under the earth.
and the heavens above the earth"
Briefly he recspitulated some OF the
triumphs achieved by members Of the So
ciety, explorations in the South Pacific,
in darkest Africa. and the farthest north.
He recalled that ia the year lSsl the
fartEermost point IN the arctic regions
was reached by member Of the Ma
tional Geographic Society-Gen. GreeIy.
Greedy Long Held Prize.
He held the much-coveted prize for
fourteen years, and then it was wrested
from him by that hardy Norseman. Nan
sen lie in turn was eclipsed by the Duke
AbTuzZi ana il had remained for Com
mander Pea-y. Of America. 10 rob Italy
OF her veII-w0n hon0rs. As the repre-
sentative OF the Duke Of Abruzzis coun-
try was present he would ask him 10 re-
/ spoud to the toast: Congratulations
from Italy on Americas farthest north"
Baron Mayor des Planches spoke briefly.
but very much to the point Bowing to
Commander Peary. he said:
our record sir. is now lost. but 1 am
sure, speaking for my c0untryman, that
the Duke Of Abruzzi would be the first 10
extend his hearty congratulations to the
victor. To you, veteran. but a young
veteran Of the war against the arctic,
belongs the honor, And 20 you and 10
your brave and intrepid companions it
/ gives me the greatest pleasure to extend
my heartiest, most earnest, and sincere
/ congratulations.
/ When Commander Peary rose 10 reply
I the applause was tumultuOus. II was byA
no means confined to hand-clapping: there :
were loud cheers. and many Of the more
/ enthusiastic ladies frantically waved nap
1 kins in the air 1t was an enthusiastic
I g17nf efa
ments.
Peary Responds to Cheers.
When he found voice to speak it was
to declare that he was deeply moved
/ by the words OF President Moore and by
/ the earnest congratulations Of the Italian
Ambassador; the congratulations Of Baron
/ Mayor des Planches were the more valu-
able. as coming from a country which
/ claims the Duke of Abruzzi. To those
| that had gone before him into the frozen
north he paid the tribute of admiration.
Their names" he said, ARE indeli5Iy
! inscribed about the north pole. and their
effort represents the most manly. the big
/ gest, and finest example of fidelity 10
duty that exists to-day. Around the north
pole stands galaxy of flags. and when,
at the last. some one is fortunate enough
TO pierce that circle and plant his flag at
the pole, it viii be simply to add luster to
the banners already there-the victory
VIII leave no humiliation behind il
The fact that I have placed the Stars
and Stripes little closer to the pole
than the Duke OF AbrUzzi was able to
penetrate does not mean so much to me.
It was not so strange. perhaps. that Nan
/ sen. from the north. should make so good
a record. The significant thing is that a
son OF the sunny southland should have
/ held .he record until America claimed il.
\ 1t SHOWS and proves Jnat the manly ouai
/ tiles OF courage are confined 10 no coun-
/ try or climatic condition The Duke of
Abruzzi offers a shining example to the
young men OF our own country, whose
/ highest ambition seems TO be to own the
/ fastest automobile or 70 take the most
/ blue ribbons at a dog show Il is a fine
example of what young man Of means
cas-. do Some one will reach the pole
/ CONTINUED on SECOND PAGE.