Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-06-10


York Sun were for sale, what would
II cost to secure an advertisement for
Lake Champlain like the following
taken from the editorial page Of the
Sunday issue Of that publication?
Under the heading. The Champiain
Tercentenary." the Sun said:
Tho Hudson Fulton celebration for
the sofnmcmeration OF the tercenten-
AIRY Of the discovery OF the Hudson
river by Henry Hudson in the year
1903 and of the first use Of steam in the
navigation Of the river by Robert Full
ton In 1907 will be more spectacular
and elaborate than tire celebration by
New York and Vermont Of the discov-
cry OF the lake that benrs the name OF
that hne old soldier. administrator ana
chroniclcr. Samuel de Champlain. But
we venture to say that tho less pre-
tentious celebration will be Immensely
more interesting historically, and to
tho imagination far moro nlluring.
In the six day celebration on the
shores OF Lake Champlain the dlscov-
cry Of It will BE- recalled by pageants
OF Indians representing the allies Of
the pioneer and the savages with
whom he fought one brief battle In
the neighborhood Of Ticonderoga; but
the stirring events Of tho Revolution
AIRY War and the war Of 1919 enacted
at Crown Point. Ticonderosa, Platts-
burgh. Fort Cassin and elsewhere on
the lake are historically so much more
important and the actors IN them so
much better known 70 their American
descendants than the lonely, sturdy
and adventurous figure Of Samuel de
Champlain that tho program Of eyer
comprehend more than two centuries
OF discovery conflict ana settlement.
Champlein. although the discoverer
Of the lake he named himself in that
homely journal Of his so full Of won
ders and mysteries and quaint expert
ence. visited It only once, on July 4,
1909, told stye), returning to his ad-
ministrative duties IT. Quebec, but go
Ing thence westward to the greater
lakes some years afterward. In his
journal will be found his own illustra-
ton Of the battle near Ticondcroga at
Is supposedly with 200 1roquois. which
was decided by the arequebuses Of
himself and the two Frenchmen who
accompanied him. the arrows Of his
allies. the Algonquins and Hurons,
striking no dismay into the ranks Of
the warlike Iroquois. The reports OF
the clumsy arequebuses may be said
to have been heard all over easern
North America ana New France, for
the 1roquois thereafter were inveterate
foes OF the French, ana allies OF the
English in the Revolutionary War lat =
er; but historical provision could not
be expected OF Champlain. who after
all was a simple soldier and a man
not rich in Imagination.
TIP in the country bordering the
lake that separates New York and
Vermont and reaches into Canada they
are preparing with an ardor and anti
cipation not know here In relation TO
the Hudson Futon celebration to make
great holiday and jubilation o. the
Chanplain tercentenary. The school
authorities Of both States have pub
lished monographs. that issued by the
education department Of New York
being especially handsome and in
structive; the local newspapers TEEN
with suggestion and inspirations; the
children are being drilled In the preg-
nant history OF the great valley. and
medals Of Champlain are being struck
off and distributed. Canada will be
represented as we'll as the neighbor
States in the weeks celebration.
President Taft will journey from
Washington to represent tho national
government at the ceremonies at
| Plattsburgh on July I. The hills on
both sides Of the lake will blaze with
bonnres every night. There will be
water pageants day by day at different
points. There will be banquets. ora
lions by eminent men. school exercises
land paraties. and lavish decorations OF
buildings. Some time after II II all
over a lasting memorial lighthouse
| with bronze state OF Champlain
probably--will be erected by New
York and Vermont on Isle LaMotte.
It is going to be a great time for
the patriotic societies. colonial and OF
all the wars. ana for the French ir
the valley and the neighbors on this
lake shores. a rapturous experience
for the school children: and visitors
from two countries and many states
who are lucky enough to be there will
learn more history than they ever re
| membered from the books.
This article Is not only . splendid
| example OF the advertising which thu
Champlain valley Is receiving ever
| now before the celebration has occur
red. but 1t Is also a comprehensive
summary Of what II being done II
connection with the celebration Itself
| neople OF both States Vermont ant