The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-09-25
ASKS APPROPRIATION
4 FOR A CELEBRATION
champIain Tercentennial Commission
Makes Public Its Report to the
Incoming legislature.


by resolution Of the legislature 1--WE
years ago to investigate proposed ter
centennial celebration Of the discover,
Of Lake Champlain tell their results a.
followsi
t'The first meeting Of the commission
was held at Burlington, February 5
1907, at which time Governor Proctor
was made chairman, Walter Il. Howard
chairman pro tenn, aud l.. NJ. Hays
secretary. Since that date seven meet
ings have been held, either of the com
mission as a whole or Of a subcommittee
appointed by the chairman.
eon March u, 1907, committee com
posed OF Messr Howard and Crockett
visited Albany and discussed with mem
befs OF the New York legislature the
suggestion that New York join with YER
mont in the proposed celebration.
son March 20, Messrs. Bailey and Hays
visited Ottawa TO present the invitation
to- Canada. Sir Milfrid Laurier. the
pfemier, expressed himself as being in
hearty accord with the plan, and stated
that if IL should become an event in
Which our national government would
take part. Canada could be depended
upon for cooperation.
"0n September 6 the first Joint meet
ing OF the Vermont and New York com.
missions was held al Bluff Point, N. ",
Governor Hughes having appointed a
commission in accordance with resolu-
ton adopted by The New York legisla.
tufe
t'Dn December 4, Senator Henry w.
Hill and Hon. u. 5. Witherbee Of the
New York commission, and Messrs.
Crockett and Hays, OF the Vermont COM
mission, visited Washington, and, ae.
companied by Senators Proctor and Dill.
lingham and Representative Foster, pre-
sented the project to Hon. Elihu Root,
secretary Of state The secretary ex-
pressed his approval OF the proposed eel.
cbration and said the national govern
ment ought TO fulfill its part, and he
suggested that a joint memorial by the
two state commissions be sent 10 Con-
gress. Mr.. Foster presented the YER
mont members to President Roosevelt,
who showed marked interest in the pro-
lect and promised to lend his aid.
"0n April 80 the president transmitted
to the House Of Representatives the
joint memorial, with a view TO appro.
pirate action" This message was re-
ferred to the committee on foreign rela-
tions.
ut was so late in the session. how
ever, that decisive action was not taken
and its consideration went over 10 the
December session. We are assured that
at that session favorable action will be
taken.
'The commission desires 10 call the
attention OF the general assembly TO the
fact that Samuel Champaign, in July,
1909. not only discovered the beautiful
body Of water which bears his name. but
also was the first European 20 set eyes
upon any part Of the territory now
known as Vermont The year 1900.
therefore, will be the three hundredth
OF the discovery OF Vermont,
as well as that Of Lake 4hamplain, and
il is certainly desirable that this impor-
tant event be celebrated in a fitting
manner by the people Of this state.
From time immemorial. the obsery-
ance OF times and events has been found
desirable, and in the truest sense profit.
able. Those states and nations that have
attained the most advanced civilization
are those that have held in highest es.
TEEN the famous deeds of their founders
and patriots.
The historic importance OF this ami
fersary, and proper consideration for
he good name OF the state, alike demand
hat this commonwealth take official no
ice of the occasion Such a celebration |
sill be an inspiration to more earnest /
ind careful study Of history; to truer
appreciation Of the important place held |
n the annals of the nations by the ter |
itory in which we live; and to a higher /
standard OF patriotism.
1T is well for us to recall the promi. I
rent place which Lake Champlain holds
n the story Of North America. From
prehistoric times, it has been a great
Natural thoroughfare between the st.
lawrence river and the Hudson valley.
THE great nations, France, Great
Britain and America, have made it a
highway in war and in peace.
The French erected fort as Isle La
iotte in 1866, which was the first settle
nent within the present limits of Yer
mont, and although it was not literally
permanent settlement, yet 1t was a
requcnt stopping place for yoyagers
through the lake, and it is believed never
hereafter lapsed into a wilderness.
"The first public observance OF the
religion in Vermont was held
t Isle la Motto. and relics of that early
eriod Of French occupation may still
g seen at the shrine OF st. Anne in that
lace.
AT Crown Point, France established
ort Frederic, with the single exception
Quebec, her strongest American fort
ess; and there. at later date, Great
ritain built stronghold with ramparts
twenty-five feet thick, at cost Of over
Ho millions of pounds. For these great
,rtresses that guarded the route from
anada to New York and New England,
le armies of France and England con
'nded in a series OF campaigns, for news
/ which the capitals OF Europe waited {
eager expectancy In no small meas
re the manner in which America should
9 developed was fought out between
,me of the greatest captains of the age +,
the valley OF Lake Champlain. The
ritish flag was first lowered in the I
ar at Ticonderoga upon the demand OF y
than Allen, "in the name of the Great h
,hoeah and the Continental Congress" !
4 event of tremendous siiinifcanee in y
$ effect upon the country. and in fur. n
shing the artillery which enabled =
'ashington to compel the evacuation of 4
oston BY the British. The first inn g
,rtant naval battle of the Revolution 4
a. fought on Lake Champlain. The u
st aggressive movement of the Ameri- 4
N colonies on a considerable scale, the I
vasion of Canada, was undertaken by s