The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-25

DlIleu IL Illdhe IlIul DliISG dilOiS
men. No good cause ever went I'M
championed while he could speak;
no worthy charity ever went unsup
ported where he could aid. Such a
man. we think. can never live in vain.
CONGRESS ASKS FOR PEARY'S
PROOFS.
Mr.. Peary seems to have a kind of
genius for getting in wrong. The
world knows how, largely through his
own lack of tact, he managed to mud
die the splendid triumph of his polar
exploit and miss most of the popular
homage and idolatry that rishtfuily
belonged to him. But, even So. after
Cooks downfall he might have pulled
quickly up in the popular heart. had
he only taken himself more simply.
reported promptly for active duty, and
| gone straight to work.
However. he did not do that. If
| memory serves. he did not report for
assignment until ordered to do so.
turn from the North; and at the same
time there went out a curious dispatch
from Washington, picturing the patnos
of the discoverers situation. The al.
there was no move OH to retire and
. pension Mr.. Peary. and that, therefore
he would probably have to start te
work like ordinary men. Now we dc
4 not think that most Americans regard
ed this situation as particularly
pathetic. and it is doubtful If the circu
lation of the dispatch helps MI
pcary's case at all About this tim'
1t became known that he desired U
be made admiral: but the Hous
Committee on Naval Affairs decilne'
to accept the hint. members saylni
frankly that they did not consider mn
qualified or fitted to wear that RANK
Now the same committee, in consider
, ing other methods of reWardlnS MI
. pearv. Expresses wish TO have a 100
, at his proofs before doing anything
, all, explaining that 1t has only gen
. eral reports" that he reached the poe
All OF this has put the discoVere
) in a bad position from the standpoir
! of public approval, the position manner
$ of a somewhat exaggerated seii-a
. probation. and Of frank expectation
l rewards which there Was no spoi
d taneous disposition to pay nm.
Il feel genuinely sorry for this, since !"
u honestly want the man TO nave -
9 nonors his triumph deserves. but
course, the long miN-up is nearly q
his own fault. Even this latest W
y pleasantness about his proofs he ~
brought upon himself. Probably II
= body whose opinion is really "or
having doubts for moment III
Peary has beer at the pole. NeVe
theless it is a fact that many perso
have thought that his proofs Dug
ia undergo exactly the same search4
J.. examination at Copenhagen that lool
- were nut through, and many ne"
. narers have urged this upon him. I
through some kind OF unhappy co
N
,,r nlacence. some kind of rather hauSt
no omni-satisfaction with the wo1
70, and deeds of the National Geograpl
Society, this advice has been reject
nd and overlooked. And now ConSr'
Ter nuts upon the discovcrer the morun
n ton OF producing his proofs, by
ng quest, before he shall get a med
an II is really too bad. Qualities apps
IA entity so incidental as tact and sc
n taste help enormously for sett'
ny through This world, and Mr. Peary
he suffered greatly-we think rather
he greatly--tor lack of them.
ito .-----------==--------=--------
ar Mr.. Aids. Republican, should Pr
of very valuable assistance IN hulln
~ un tho Democratic party IN Nc" ~
ne, ----------------
on Some paragrapher has pulled OF
,ds. one best bet by saying that IL
-, call one Rear-Admiral Peary. !
~ should call the other Rear-Aa'h
AT Disappearing. It's really too soou
for change, but just for fun, Why NOT III
II it Rear Admiral Peary and Near
nds miral Disappearing?
me Tod Anne