Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-08-17
THE NEW YORK CONVENTION.
sixth Annual Meeting of the French
Canadians New YOrk-Ecstivitics
attending The Inst DAY.

The sixth annual convention of the FrcnCl
Canadians of the State of New York open
cd At Pittsburgh Tuesday morning
about two hundred delegates from different
parts of the State being in attendance. The
first day was devoted TO the appointment Of
committees to form constitution to be APP
proved by the national French Canadian con-
vention 10 be held in Albany, in the Summer
OF 1884, and also to different topics relative
to the best national interests of the French
Canadians in this country. The second
day resolutions were adopted relating to the
best way to preserve the French
language among the Canadians and
also for the establishment of French Cana
dian schools in all the French Catholic GEN.
tres of the State of New York, this being
acknowledged the best methoi for the
French Canadians to practice their religion
and also to speak the language of their anccs-
tors. Several members in eloquent speeches
advocated the resolutions and they were
adopted by the convention.
Ga Thursday, August 9th, the last day of
the convention aud the general holiday. not
only of the French Canadans of New York,
but OF this part of the State of Vermont and
of Canada, n pon,ifical high mass was ccle-
bratcd by Rt. Rev. Bishop Wadhams of
Ogdensburg at the French Catholic church, a
CHOIR OF fifty voices rendering pieces selected
Tor the occasion, accompanied by an orchestra
OF twenty instruments. At the close of the
mass the different societies and dele
cations reformed in process aud
headed by n band and The Grand Army
Post Of Platsburgh, marched through differ
ent streets. AT the Fouquct House they
were joined by a delegation of the St Joseph
society of this city and thence proceeded TO
the picnic ground where everything had been
arranged in good order and where the pro-
cession disbanded to adjourn to the tables,
where substantial dinner had been prepar-
cd by the ladies of Platlsburgh. Something
worth mentioning in the procession were the
Indians of Champlain and Platlsburgh, n.
y, headed by an Indian chief, who pre-.
scented comical appearance under the uni
form of the mobile red man." Several allie
gorical cars, representing the sewing ma
chimes, the joiners and carpenters work.
the "Libcity,' ''Samuel dc Champlnin,"
Lafayette and Washington" wagon work,
stone cutters and builders trades were very
handsomely decorated and attracted good
deal of attention from the immense
crowd, which numbered between seven or
eight thousand at the picnic ground In the
afternoon, the resolutions adopted by the
convention the previous day were ratified by
the mass meeting, and then addresses were
delivered by Rev Father Obat Nolin OF
Canada and Father Chagnon of Champlain,
n. y, also by Mr.. Leon Bossuc dit Lyon
nais, and by the president of the convention
and of the 81. Jean Baptiste Society of Platts-
burgh, DR.. Larocque. There were 3j priests
present. AT the close of the addresses there
was sham fight between the Indians of
Champlaln, representing the llurons, being
lead by Samuel lie Champlain, aud the H.
dams OF PIattsburgh representing the lroquois,
in which, Of course, the IIurons came oil
victorious. In the evening there were fire.
works and at about 8 o'clock the crowd dis
persed, well pleased with the days celebra-
ton and thanking the people OF pla,tsburgh
Tor giving such u generous reception.