The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-27
GOVERNOR GROAN
DISCUSSES PEARY
CONTINUED FROM PAGE q,

NCONlto OED rBOm fAOE S.b
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tho Copenhagen professors and they
declared that the proofs were INSULT
cient to sustain his claim. They
not assert that Cooks story was an
true, but merely rendered a verdict
Of not proven AS they had not been
into the region, their verdict can be
accepted as voicing their knowledge
of the matter
Yet, when Commander Peary heard
of the Copenhagen decision he smiled.
and presto! his identical story Is
proven true and he Is acclaimed as the
discoverer and poor Cook is branded
as faker. Medals are voted to Peary
resolutions of congratulation for him
are passed; he is elected member of
societies, while Cook s name is erased
from the rolls of membership. And to
cap the climax, an <c.t Tempt is made in
the Congress of tho United States to
make Mr.. Peary a rear admiral of the
navy in recognition of his discovery Of
the north polel A more grotesuue
Official monstrosity has never in the
history of this government been at
tempted.
Representative Macon deserves the
thanks OF the American people for his
expose of Peary's improbable, If not,
In TACT, impossible story of his Jour
ney to and from the pole after ne
parted from his civilized comrades
TIL I read Mr.. gMacons remarks I had
believed that both Cook and Peary had
reached the pole, but I confess that
Mr.. Macon has shaken my faith In
Peary, especially when 1 consider .ha
fact that he could read the synopsis of
cooks story and shape his own ac-
cordingly.
IN
YET, | prefer even now to believe that
ea'n ol these explorers made the trip
ne declares he did. But coupled with
this preference for belief is the convic-
ton that Cook, besides being the real
discoverer has proven himself a gentle
man OF generous characteristics, while
Peary has proven that he is lacking in
some OF the qualities which appeal to our
highest nature
Cooks flight indicates an acutely SEN
sitlve nature. one which shrinks from
caustic criticism, whether IL be inst n,
unjust instead of gamely facing and con.
quering 1t. Peary, on the contrary, dis
plays reputative coarsenes Frenzied
Dy the tdings that his rival had reached
before he did the coveted goal OF his
life's ambition, he filings at him the cpl
thets, liar 'faker, gold brick, etc, and
then. with amazing obtuseness, asks us to
|
cal story true.
THE world loves a good loser. it con-
tennis an ungenerous winner But give
1t time and 1t discerns between win
ner and pseudo winner
bafnum used to say that the Amer
lean people liked to be humbugged. B,1t
IL this Is the case in which | am to be
humougged l prefer to be taken in by
the original humbug instead of by the
CO1lntaTfatf 1htto rLax,
In appearance, but Cooks is the original
nave limited my remarks, as will be
noted, to the narrative of the two rivals
and to the logical inference therefrom
As to the achievement in question by
each and for his will power, pertinacity
endurance, etc, l have the highest ad.
| miration.
Only Interest Is In the Truth
Il have no interest in this controyers,
save the right to have the truth-the com.
mon right of mankind hence say these
words In the interest of the truth. / sa,
them with that pride in the American
government which protests against put.
ting It's seal upon a transparent fraud
a fraud in that, while denouncing Cook :
nrst told story as fake, it asks us to
stamp Peary's afterwards told Identical
story as the truth fraud which brands
Cook and lauds, and proposes to reward
feary Tor the performance of the same
act.
Il cannot admit that there is any i'm.
propriety in advancing these expressions
or my Judgment at this time, for Mr.
Peary did not come to Atlanta and else
where in Georgia as an invited guest, OF
as mere visitor. He came just as an
actor or opera singer would come-to
make display of his talent and to charge
for the same. Hence, there is not even
constructively any lack of good taste OF
anything out of our rights in criticisine
his story and the man.
FINALLY, since his arrival in Atlanta
Mr. Peary, when asked win you sub
NIT your proofs to the University of Co
penhagen?' answered by asking the ques-
ton, Would you consider it. the proper
thing for an American naval officer or
an American citizen to go to a foreign
country and ask that country to pass
upon discovery made in an American
ship and under American direction?'
This question is, of course. general.
hence, Individually 1 will answer, Yes,
since your rival who preceded you to the
region in dispute submitted his proofs
to that foreign university and you and
your partisans have used its adverse find
Ing as the basis for claiming that your
Identical story is true "
Tu Unsn>~k non~k.,-