The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1908-05-08
Time for Vermont to Act.


OF the S00th anniversary OF the dis
covery OF Lake Champlain has become
a law, and the Vermont and New York
commissions have formally requested
the national government TO aid the
project by an appropriation and by
inviting and entertaining foreign
guests, II is time for Vermont Beri-
ously to consider her part In the pro-
ceedings. In the first place, Il must
be remembered that this state took
the initiative IN suggesting celebra-
tlon. New York, although that state
must provide next year for another
big tercentenary, commemorating the
discovery Of the Hudson, has respond
ed by voting $4,000 and promising to
raise more by private subscription
Vermont having pointed the way can.
not with consistency fail TO do her
share In providing way and means.
This does not mean that an extrava.
CANT appropriation Is called for but
the legislature should recognize the
Importance OF the project and treat
II In no niggardly spirit.
The New York Sun has this to say
OF the proposed celebration:
"On July 4. 1909, Samuel de Cham.
plain and his companions discovered
the lake which now bears his name.
The proposal to observe the 300th
anniversary Of that event Is excel.
lent. Even more excellent Is the pro.
posal TO acquire and hold permanently
a property OF the state such historic
sites as Crown Point, Ticonderoga
and other OF more or less Importance
and interest
In a report OF the Lake Champlain
tercentenary commission this COM
ment is made:
In discovering the lake that bears
his name Champlain also discovered
the region that became New York
state.
He was the first white man TO
behold any portionof our state or to
set foot therein.
His visit In July, 1909, was not
only the beginning OF recorded history
In New York state but OF q new era
for the Western continent
Surely this event is worthy of q
fitting and permanent memorial. The
Importance OF the Champlain discov.
cry is not at all modified by the Hud.
son discovery OF q few months later
or by the fact OF earlier and more i'm
portant settlement In the south part
than In the north. This summer Can.
ada will celebrate the founding of
Quebec and fund Is being raised for
the purchase OF the historic Plains OF
Abraham. The many conflicts I'm the
Lake Champlain region were part
OF the struggle OF which Wolfe's de.
feat OF Montcalm was the climax. The
British victory OF Ticonderoga In 175S
gave England control I'm that vicinity
until 1775, when Ethan Allen made
his appearance on May 10 and de-
handed the surrender OF the fort In
the name OF the Great Jehovah and
the Continental Congress-
1--WE are addicted TO the alleged
decoration OF our cities by the erection
OF statues. Here and there we erect
a monument. Historical societies es
say the preservation OF historic build.
ings. Some of the notable battle.
fields OF the Civil War have been
bought and are held as national parks
There are a number OF spots connect.
ed with our earlier history which
should be the property of either the
state or the nation. As a people we
are far more deeply interested in sc.
curing an appropriation for new
public building than we are In acquir'
Ing and suitably marking even the
more important scenes In our early
history.
"All that is done in that direction
is commendable, and II is a pity that
there is not greater public interest
and activity"
The foregoing editorial taken from
The Sun sets forth admirably the i'm
portance OF suitable observance OF
such an historical event. II must be
remembered that we are to celebrate
not only the discovery OF Lake Cham
plain, but also the discovery OF what
is now Vermont. It is right and prop
er that such an event should be OBJ
served In fitting manner. 1t will
increase our love for our state and
her history. and II will stimulate
patriotism.
To those who look at the subjec,
purely from material viewpoint, Il
Is proper to say that this celebration
Is the best possible method of adver
Using the wonderful attractions oil
Vermont as summer resort. II will
bring here thousands OF visitors. and
will benefit not only the Champlain
valley, but the whole state. II we give
these visitors anything approaching
comfortable entertainment they will
come again. and will bring many
friends with them.
Ii appears to The Messenger that
this celebration affords great op
portunity to the people OF Vermont
II we neglect II by falling to make
ready for the entertainment OF those
who wish to come here for recreation
and rest, then we must not complain
because we do not get our share Of
the country's lucrative summer bust
ness.
Some section OF the country
already would be ablaze with enthu
siasm over the coming of an inter
national celebration now only a little
more than a year away. Possibly
those sections OF the state most vital
ly interested In the tercentenary are
fully alive to the requirements OF the
situation. but, II this is true. they are
preserving very dignified and decor
GUS reserve. It is time to wake up &c
the possibilities OF this Lake Cham
plain tercentenary, time to forget
some OF our dignity and let our
voices be heard, and our enthusiasm
known, II we are going to make q
real success Of this great occasion. In
stead OF waiting for the 600th ami
versary Of this event let us make the
most Of the celebration Of 190s.--St
Adams Messenger.
Insist upon DeWitt's Witch Haze
Saliva n &c oonaoiolIv ucsnd Tor nti.,o