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OCTOBER 11909
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revenue only and everybody shall pay It except
the manufacturers.
The democratic party can not survive or sur
render on this question. It boasts a long and
glorious history from Jefferson's first adminis
tration at tho beginning of the last century,
the democratic party has done valiant service
In defense of the peoples' rights. Though it
may have erred and though it has erred, it has
atoned for its errors In punishment as great as
it is required. The past, with its mistakes, is
glorious still and let us make the future more
glorious yet. Let us not bo porsuaded by a
promiso of power nor yet deterred by the threat
of defeat from espousing tho cause of th6 mil
lions who toil against those who -enjoy tho
fruits of that honest toil. Let us here, let us
everywhere, teach justice against wealth. Let
us not inspire labor with tho hate of capital,
but let us teach that capital Is its best tool, and
let uo teach capital that without labor It were
a worthless instrument. Let us teach the rich
and poor to love each other by teaching each
to do the other justice. Let us frown down
tho monopolist's greed and let us forever de
stroy tho socialist's mad dreams. Lot us teach
the American people that every man shall have
all that he can honestly earn, diminished only
by his fair contribution toward the government's
support, but let us teach the rich and powerful
that it breeds the spirit of anarchy in the bosom
of the poor that their loss further makes tho
rich man richer and increases the poor man's
burden.
North Pole Literature
Dr. Frederick A. Cook, north pole explorer
arrived at New York September 22, and was
given a boisterous welcome. An Associated
Press dispatch refers to an Interview with Dr.
Cook in this way:
One of the more important questions put to
Dr. Cook during tho interview was:
"In your original narrative as published in
tho New York Herald, you said: 'The night of
April 7 was made notable by the swinging of
the sun at midnight over the northern ice. Our
observation on April 6 placed tho camp in lati
tude 86.36, longitude 94.2.' Tho astronomers
say that in the latitude you mention the mid
night sun would have been visible on April 11.
If you saw it for the first time on April 7, you
must have been 550 miles from the pole instead
of 234 as you supposed. Therefore to have
reached tho pole on April 21, you would havo
had to travel thirty-nine miles daily. What is
your explanation of tho apparent discrepancy?"
"In the first place that Indicates the point I
havo taken; that nobody can pronounce judg
ment on a matter of this kind until they get
the complete record. The northern horizon at
midnight had been so obscuro that we could
not tell whether the sun was below the horizon
or above it. Wo were not making observations
at midnight. Therefore this statement is based
on tho fact that we have said that it was pos
sible to see the sun on midnight of that day.
I have not looked through the Herald's story
as it has been written out in full. My impres
sion is that we were absolutely unable to see
the sun the midnight before that. The horizon
was obscured."
Tho Lincoln (Neb.) Journal gives an inter
esting description' of the polar regions, as the
two explorers found them, In this way:
WHAT DR. COOK SAYS
At the Pole What a cheerless spot to have
aroused the ambition of man for so many ages!
An endless field of purplo snows. No life. No
land. No spot to relieve the monotony of frost.
We were the only pulsating creatures in a dead
world of ice.
On tho Way Up Beyond the eighty-sixth par
allel tho ice fields became more extensive and
heavier, the crevices: fewer and less troublesome,
with little or no crushed ice thrown up as. bar
riers. From the eighty-seventh to the eighty
eighth, much to our surprise, was the indication
of land ice. For two days we traveled over ice
which resembled a glacial surface. The usual
sea ico lines of demarkation were absent and
there were no hummocks or deep crevices. There
was, however, no perceptible elevation and no
positive sign of land or sea. At latitude 88 deg.
21 min. We were now less than 100 miles
from tho pole. The pack was here more active,
but the temperature remained below 40, cement
ing together quickly the new crevices. Further
north. The ice steadily improved.
Return Journey With fair weather, good Ico
and the inspiration of tho homo run long dis
tances were at first quickly covered. Below the
, The Commoner
eighty-seventh paraflel the character of tho Ico
Changed very much, and it became cvidont that
tho season was advancing rapidly.
"Hard Tack" Much of our hard work was
lost In circuitous twists around troublesome pres
sure lines and high, irregular fields of very old
Ice.
Curious Atmospheric Effects. When tho sun
was low tho oyo ran over tho moving plains of
colors to dancing horizons. The mirages turned
things topsy-turvy. Inverted mountains and
queer objects ever rose and foil In shrouds of
mystery, but all this was due to tho atmospheric
magic of tho midnight sun.
Gamo Procured. In this march (I. o. over
Ellesmereland), were procured 101 musk oxen,
seven bears and 335 hare. Wo found oursolves
far down in Crown Princo GuBtav Sea with open
water and impossible small ico as a barrier be
tween us and Helberg Island. In the next few
days bears came along as llfo savors. Capo
Sparbo was picked as a likely place to find life.
Game was located with tho bow and arrow, tho
line, tho lance and tho knife. Tho musk ox,
bear and wolves yielded meat, skins and fat.
IIAT MR. PEARY SAYS
At tho Pole. It all seems so simple and com
monplace. As Bartlett said when turning back,
"Itic just like every day." Five miles
from tho polo all my wire, 1,500 fathoms,
was sent down, but there was no bottom.
On tho Way Up. Eighty-eighth to eighty
ninth parallel. Tho going was tho best and most
equable of any I had had yet. Tho floes wore
largo and old, hard and clear, and were sur
rounded by pressure ridges, some of which wore
almost studpendous. The surface, except as In
terrupted by infrequent ridges, was as lovol as
the glacial fringe from Hecla' to Columbia, and
harder. Eighty-ninth parallel to pole. It was
like tho great interior ico cap of Greenland. In
twelve hours we made forty-miles. There was
no sign of a lead in tho march.
Return Journey Wo would try to double
march on tho return. As a matter of fact, wo
nearly did this, covering regularly on our home
ward joUrney five outward marches in three re
turn marches. Just above tho eighty-seventh
parallel was a region some fifty miles wldo which
caused me considerable uneasiness. Twelve
hours of strong easterly, westerly or northerly
wind would make this region an opon sea.
"Easy Going." Some of tho pressure ridges
were almost stupendous. Tho biggest of them,
however, were easily negotiated, either through
some crevice or up some huge brink.
Curious Atmospheric Effects. For the first
time since leaving land wo experienced that con
dition frequent over those ice fields of a' hazy
atmosphere, in which the light is equal every
where. All relief is destroyed and it is impos
sible to see any distance.
Game Procured. At winter quarters, Hub
bardsville, on shores of Arctic Ocean. Hunting
parties were sent out on September 10 and a
bear was brought in on tho 12th and ome deer
a day or two later. On October 1 I went on a
hunt with two Eskimos and returned to
the ship in seven days with fifteen musk oxen,
a" bear and a deer. Later in October I repeated
the trip, -btaining five musk oxen, and hunting
parties secured some forty deer.
Dr. Cook was given a banquet by the Arctic
Club of America at the Waldorf-Astoria. Ad
miral Schley presided at the banquet. In in
troducing Dr. Cook, Rear Admiral Schley said:
"Like all who have achieved similar success
in other fields of activity, Dr. Cook is challenged
by envy, which often proceeds from disappoint
ment. But to all fair and just minded people
there Is only regret that there should be raised
any issue over an achievement that was fully
enough glory for both. Our guest's splendid
behavior under those trying circumstances has
attracted the commendation of his countrymen
and has added innumerable hosts to his friend
ship. I believe, as the president of the Arctic
Club of America, upon their statements, that
both Mr. Pary and Dr. Cook reached tho polo.
I hail their chivalrous and persistent courage. I
believe further, that these two gentlemen
reached the pole because men who aro willing to
make those sacrifices in a region of such trying
and dangerous condition, and such constant
peril are made of material that does not bleach
out in the wash. All honor to them."
When Dr Cook came to speak the entire ,
assemblage leaped to its feet with him and
cheering continued for a full minute. In his
address Dr. Cook said:
"Now, gentlemen, about the pole. We ar- ,
rived April 21, 1908. We discovered new land
along-the 102nd meridian between the eighty-.
fourth and tho olghty-flfth parallel. Beyond
this there was absolutely no life. Tho loo was
in largo, heavy Holds, with few prcHBiiro linos.
Tho drift was south of oust, tho wind was south
of west. Clear woathor gave good rogular ob
servation nearly ovory clay. Thoso observations
combined with those at tho polo on tho 21st and
22d of April, nro sufllclont to guaranteo our
claim. When taken In connection with tho gon
oral record, you do not roqulro this. I can not
sit down without acknowledging to you and to
tho living Arctic explorors my debt of gratltudo
for thoir valuable assistance. Tho report of this
polar success has coma with a sudden force, but
In Uio present enthusiasm wo must not forgot
tho fathers of art of polar travel. Thoro Is
glory enough for all. Thoro is onough to go
to tho graves of tho dead, and to th heads of
tho living. Many aro hero tonight. Tho names
aro too numerous to montlon. Spocial montlon
for honors must bo mado to Melvlllo, Peary,
Nanscn, Sverdrup, and Amundsen, nnd a num
ber of English and othor oxplorors."
Commander Peary arrived at Portland, Mo.,
his old homo, nnd was given an ovation by hls
old neighbors.
THE NEW YORK DEMOCRATIC LEAGUE
Tho Commonor Is glad to commend nearly ah"
of tho platform adopted by tho Democratic
League of New York a few days ago. Tho fol
lowing planks aro genuinely democratic:
Loyal support of tho federal govornmont In
the exorcise of all Its constitutional powers;
eternal vigilance In wntchlng and detecting and
vigorous and porslstont opposition to all exten
sions of federal power that entrenches on thoao
reserved to tho states or to tho pooplo.
A tariff for rovenuo only; no government sub
sidies to political interests, directly or through
protective tariff.
Equal and uniform taxation covering only
tho just needs of tho govornmont, economically
administered.
Tho abandonment at tho earliest moment
practicable of our Imperialistic venture In tho
Philippine islands, first safeguarding their In
terests by sulllolent guarantees. . ,
Steady adherence to tuo principle of homo'
rule and local solf-go"ornment by tho state and"
its political sub-divisions.
Rigid economy In govornmont oxponditurcs.v.
Election of United States acnatora by direct?
vote.
A constitutional amendment authorizing a
federal income tax.
Enforcement of federal and state laws against
criminal trusts.
The League's declaration In favor of "a tariff
for revenue only," for "home rule," for "econ
omy In government expenditures," for "the elec
tion of senators by tho people," tho "enforce
ment of the law against trusts," and the income'
tax amendment all of these planks will give
encouragement to tho democrats of the south
and west.
It is especially noteworthy and gratifying that
the league endorsed the income tax. Tho demo
crats of tho country will rejoice that so many
of the prominent democrats of tho Empire state
have enlisted for tho fight :o secure tho ratifica
tion of the Income tax amendment.
The league has done well, too, in registering
its protest against Imperialism.. A colonial
policy is repugnant to the principles of a repub
lic and our party must continue Its protest until
our nation returns to the paths of the fathers.
With such declarations cf principle the demo- '
cratlc. league ought to become a powerful in'
fluence for good in New York.
REVISION FOR THE EDITORS
Under the DIngley law the rate on print paper
was $6 per ton. A Washington dispatch to tho
Lincoln (Neb.) Journal says that under tho new
law and as a result of recent treasury regula
tions the rate' on paper coming from tho province
of Ontario will be $5.75 per ton and on the print
paper from Quebec something more than .$G
per ton. In one case tho reduction is merely
nominal while in the other an actual Increase
has been brought about. Tho Journal's dispatch
adds that if, as it is likely, the maximum rate
be applied against Ontario the duty on print
paper from thrt province would be run up to
$8.50, a marked Increase over the DIngley rate.
As a result of these disclosures republican
papers are making vigorous complaints. Will
republicans never learn that it is not possible
for the consumers to obtain relief at be hands
of a political party that Is financed by the con
sumer's oppressors? , ; .Mm'
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