Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-15

members of the society. led by Prof.
Moore, fled into the large hall, which
was profusely decorated with smilax.
and took the seats assigned them. After
the menu had been discussed President
Moore, the POSTMASTER, proposed toast
to the President of the United states.
which was drunk in silence. Later in
the evening he proposed toast to the
first president of the Geographic So
ciety. Gardiner g. Hubbard, which was
likewise drunk in silence.
Prof Moore, in his Introductory re-
marks. said the National Geographic So
ciety has membership of more than 3d.
900 thinking, working and investigating
people Its income-sS0, G00-has been
spent entirely for obtaining knowledge
for the betterment of civilization and the
uplifting of humanity. The investig cations
of the society have taken in the people of
the earth, their social, political and
economic conditions.
Our object, therefore" Prof. Moore
said, is for the dissemination of useful
inform alton"
The speaker described the man be-
hind the gun" in warfare. and said that
apropos of that, the society takes pleas
ure in the fact that associated in its
direction are. such names as Alexander
Graham Bell, Robert z Peary Gen
Greedy, Gen. John NJ Wilson and others:
Prof Moore extended the greetings and
managers to the guests.
Towering Mineral Wealth.
Prof Moore spoke of the towering
mineral wealth of the west on noun
tains and Plain. and said the United
States is the granary of the world. with
its 10000 miles of rivers, all OF which
lie hopes will be made entirely navi
gable He also spoke enthusiastically of
he ir1 nd inH ha
in the future to see joined by the cleo
trio touch. Prof. Moore also said there
is the greatest Of wealth and power on
this continent the world has ever
power of the United States will be
righteously exercised toward all ma
tions, especially those that are weaker
than this country"
The future. greatness and prosperity of
our country he added, depends not SO
much upon the sons and daughters of the
rich, but upon the man who digs out on
our streets-the man who harvests and
tolls; not upon the wealth of the few, but
upon the prosperity of the many.
The work of the Geographic Society is
in teaching how other people live, and in
this 1T Is doing beneficent work"
Prof. Moore remarked. in conclusion,
that those present were assembled to do
honor to one who possesses strong body
and clear mind to confer honor on
Capt Road Amundsen. the great ex-
other, who also represents a strong body
and clear mind. Vice President Fairbanks
AS the Vice President arose in response
TO Prof Moore's presentation, he was
greeted with hearty applause.
Presentation of Medal.
The pleasant duty rests upon me to
present this gold medal to you on behalf
of the National Geographic Society,"" the
Vice President said, addressing Capt.
Amundsen. 1T Is given to you as an ex-
preston of the society's appreciation of
your arduous labor and notable achieve
ment in the far north.
BY your careful and scientific observa
ton you have increased the sum of the
worlds knowledge with regard to the
magnetic north pole. You have substi-
tuted for mere theoretical assumption i'm
portant demonstrated fact.
You have also solved a geographical
problem which has for many years sue
cessfully challenged solution. For more
than three centuries expedition followed
expedition in the futile effort to sail
through the northwest passage. Vast
sums of money were spent and many
lives were sacrificed in the attempt to
accomplish what you have done.
The intrepid navigators who preceded
you. while they failed in the accomplish
ment of their chief purpose, gradually re-
duced the limits of the unknown zone
and paved the way for your triumph
Many names have been associated with
attempts to sail through the northwest
passage. To you the undisputed honor
belongs of achieving what those brave
and resourceful explorers did not ac-
complish.
Love of Scientific Truth.
There Is something of the heroic in the
men who for the love of scientific truth
and the expansion of geographical knowl-
edge have courted the dangers of the
arctic region. The men who have faced
the perils of that( inhospitabl territory
for more than three hundred years and
laid down their lives are no less to be
honored by mankind than the valorous
soldier who falls on the field of battle.
There is somethl ng felicitous in the
CIRCUMSTANCE that a Norseman should
-os 0Se first to sail his ship from the
norttH Ahantic to Ne north Pacific ocean.
We VA hospitality for your country
men Many of them contribute to the
.yhis medal. SIR. is. as 1 have said. an
exPseSsf4n of I the appreciation which
!. Vie SaclSty in behalf of which / have the
honor TO speak entertains for your great
personal esteem in which you are held"
Rseponse by Explorer.
&rhe handing of the handsome gold
Ueoai 10 capt Amundsen by the Vice
President was the signal for another
out1urst of applause. In response the
Noreeman said he felt highly honored
and Justly proud of the great distinction
the Geographic Society had so gra-
eiously bestowed upon him. He said it was
a. added honor TO receive the medal from
the hands .of the Vice-President of this
gresf country. representing the largest
geogrnpaical society in the world.
Prot Moore, in introducing the next
speaker. the French ambassador, Mr.. ]
j. Jusserand. paid high tribute to the
French explorer who had entered the
mouth of the st. Lawrence river and had
had so much to do in bringing Christian
civilization to this country
Inc French ambassador said: "Once
more a northman has accomplished a
great deed" Complimenting Cant
Amundsen on his journey and his discov-
cries. NJ Jusserand stated how this mod
ern northman was continuing the tradi-
ton OF his ancestors. who visited almost
all parts OF the world, at a time when so
little OF the world was known. The am
nasador alluded TO some other famous
Journeys. that, among others, of mythical
Saint Branian, the Celtic saint who start
ed in his leather boat across the great
ocean sea, and discovered the Island of
Paradise.
Capt. Amundsen has made a Journey
somewhat similar, the speaker added