The Open Polar Sea: A narrative of a voyage of discovery towards the North pole, in the schooner "United States"Hayes, I. I. (Isaac Israel)
History
The Open Polar Sea: A narrative of a voyage of discovery towards the North pole, in the schooner "United States"
Hayes, I. I. (Isaac Israel)
Arctic regions; United States (Schooner)
Of course, much depended upon the _eclat_ with which it burst into
being; and, conscious of this important fact, the editors spared no
pains to heighten public curiosity, by the issuing of "hand-bills" and
"posters," and all other means known among the caterers for the popular
intellectual palate. McCormick lent his assistance, and directed the
preparation of a somewhat better dinner than usual; so that, no matter
what might be the merits of this eagerly expected prodigy, it was
sure of a hearty reception. Mr. Knorr had charged himself with the
mechanical execution, and was known to have the infant periodical in
his keeping; and accordingly, after the cloth was removed, loud calls
were made for its production. While he was hauling it out from under
his pillow, (where it had been carefully stowed out of sight until the
auspicious moment should arrive,) demands were made upon him to read it
aloud. This he was about to do when some one claimed that so important
an event should not pass off so informally. "Agreeably to national
usage, we should call a meeting, organize it by the appointment of
the proper officers, and name an orator for the occasion. Then, and
not until then, can it be said that we have properly inaugurated the
important event which has transpired. The public of Port Foulke will
not rest content with any less conspicuous mark of glorification over
so momentous an occurrence as the establishment of a free press on this
remote frontier of civilization."
To this proposal no objection was made,--indeed, it was received with
much favor; and the meeting was accordingly organized by unanimously
calling Mr. Sonntag to the "chair." After naming the requisite number
of vice-presidents and secretaries, Mr. Knorr was selected orator by
acclamation. And now there commenced a violent clapping of hands and a
rattling of tin cups, mingled with cries of "order" and "hear, hear!"
in the midst of which the orator mounted the locker and addressed his
auditors as follows:--
"Fellow-citizens:--Called by the unanimous voice of this unenlightened
community to inaugurate the new era which has dawned upon a benighted
region, it is my happy privilege to announce that we have, at the cost
of much time, labor, and means, supplied a want which has too long been
felt by the people of Port Foulke. We are, fellow-citizens, no longer
without that inalienable birthright of every American citizen,--a Free
Press and an Exponent of Public Opinion.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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