Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1909-09-17
GLORY ENOUGH FOR BOTH.

Commander Peary upon his sue
cess" md adds: "Victory now is
surely American. Glad he has
won, as two records arc better
than one. His work adds
an epoch-making contribution to
the annals of polar exploration
As Dr.. Cook we'll says, the victo-
~ is "all American" In this tri-
umph every broad-!ninded Ameri-
can will feel that there is glory
enough for both of the intrepid OK
plorers to whom has been given the
imperishable distinction Of solving
the mystery of the North Pole. DR..
Cooks bearing since he was IN
formed that Commander Poary 3
quest of the Pole has been crowned
with success has been altogether
praiseworthy. He has set an eX-
ample which ought to be emulated
by skeptical savants and factlonlsts
who have sought to cast doubts
upon his own good faith and upon
the verify of his achievement. Not
one word, save Of generous appre-
citation and recognition Of Com
mander Peary's work, has come
from Dr.. Cook. His head has not
been turned by the extraordinary
honOrs which he has received at
the court of Denmark and from the
Danish people, by whom lie has
been acclaimed the most eminent
explorer of his day, the discovercr
Of the Pole. While the world is
ringing with the fame Of his
achievement he sends a message OF
goodwill and cordial appreciation
to Peary, accepting his fellow ex-
plorer's statement without reserve
and adding, in the spirit CT true
manliness, IL am glad Of it. "
There is no reason why DR.. Cook
should not lie "glad" that Com
mander Peary has triumphed.
There is no worthy reason why
Commander Pcary should withhold
from DR.. Cook the recognition to
which his pluck and tenacity entl-
tie kim. These men are both
Americans. For the United States
their native land, they have won
the greatest prize of modern explo-
ration. They have linked for all
time the name of this republic with
the discovery of the North Pole
with the solution Of mystery
which for centuries has baffled tie
intellect and the daring Of men Of
every nation. In the endurance,
the skill, the grim determination OF
each to conquer the Pole, all broad
minded Americans feel equal pride.
The savantS may rage and the
skeptics may imagine all manner Of
vain things. But the thought in
the mind of the average intelligent
and patriotic American is that
there is glory enough for both Cook
and Peary. While the discovery
of the Pole by only one. OF them
would have been al epoch-mak-
| ing contribution to the annals OF
EXPLORATORY" the planting Of the
flag at the Pole by both Of them,
does not detract from the achieve
mcnt of either, but reflects added
glory upon the nation which has
produced two conquerers CT the
Pole.
1t may be that the world Is
doomed to a controversy over the
respective merits of Cook anl
Peary. Every age has had it;
doubling Thomases, and this age
will, perhaps, not prove an excep'
ton. In time of war it often hap
pens that the most profound STRAIT
egists operate from a coy corner
in library. They win victories
on papec or dircredit triumph'
achieved in actual warfare and Will
equal facility. Evidences have
abounded in the last few days tina
the armchair strategists of pola
exploration are preparing for ac
ton. Gallons of ink may be spill
ed, reams of paper may be con
sumed. But when the controvers.
is over the average American vii
probably be of the same mind a
he is now that there is glor,
enough for both Cook and Pear,
and that the United States ha