Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-07-08
Representatives Of Four Great
Nations Attend Exercises
at Ticonderoga.
PRESIDENT TAFT PRESENT
Heavy Showers Made the Roads Slip
perry and for n Minute the Presi-
dent Wns in Pprfl-Had Pleas
ant Sail on Historic Lake
speeches Mt Fort TT.

Jusserand Of France, Ambassador Bryce
Of Great Britain. Secretary of War Dick
inson and Vtce Admiral Ur:u o! Japan,
the celebration Of the aooth anniversary
OF the discovery OF Lake Champlain
which had been confined during the past
two days to the States Of New York and
Vermont to-day took on an international
SCOPE and world wide interest.
For Ambassadors Jusserand and Bryce
end President Taft all committed their
respective countries to policies Of peace.
and In the shadow OF an old fortress
which had witnessed some OF the blood
lest battles IN all history. they expressed
tire hone that never again would the
pence among the great nations Of the
world be interrupted by war.
The President and the other dist'n-
guished guests had an afternoon O! con-
tinuing interest from the moment OK
their arrival at o:3o by special train from
Albany The President arrived at Albany
from Norwich, Conn. and New York.
tho French ambassador from WashIhg-
ton and the British ambassador from
Ienox. Mass The various cars then wero
then made into one train for the run to
OLD Fort Ticonderoga, where the princl-
nal celebration of the day was held. The
members Of their staffs We're shown
through the historic ruins Of "Old I'll. as
the natives call the stronghold which is
now in course of restoration. There was
historic interest in the old place alike
for the representatives of Great Britain.
Of France and the United States. for the
rocky promontory was held in turn by
the French, the English and the Amer
lean revolutionists Some of the old
cannon were in place to-day and hum
dreds of rusty relics were on view.
Some of these were reminders OF the
days Of Indian conflicts, Others were
links Of history leading back to the
bloody fights of Montcalm and Amherst,
to the famous taking of the place by a
band of SO Americans under Gen. Ethan
Allen and to the naval battle which
helped to make famous the waters of the
lake discovered three centuries ago by
Samuel de Champlain. Below the fort
on the placid waters Of the lake and set
among a f'otila Of modern naval vessels
of the smaller classes was reproduc-
ton of Champlain's little caraval, the
Don De Dieu.
PRESIDENTS AUTOMOBILE SLID.
A heavy rain fell during the morning
threatening a postponcment Of some of
the outdoor features and left the steep
roads leading up to Fort Ticonderoga
from the water level dangerously slip
perry. After the President had inspect
ed the fort and had enjoyed the view
OF the lake from it's commanding posi-
ton, he proceeded to the grandstand
which stood half way down the hill,
and which was surrounded by several
thousand people. The cheering of the peo-
pie as the Presidents automobile was
seen coming down the steep incline was
suddenly changed to n tense silence when
the big machine. its wheels locked by
the brakes. but slipping over the treach-
crous surface, began to skid toward the
edge OF the roadway, The chauffeur
quickly got the car under control. how
ever. and the danger was over in an IN
slant. The President was the least con-
cerned Of any person III the large throng.
An afternoon shower came tip following
the ceremonies at tho stand and the Pres
ident had to walk a quarter of mile IN
the rain to tho boa,. which after 20
mile sail up the lake landed It's distingu-
ished passengers at Port Henry, where
the special train again was boarded FOR
the trip TO Bluff Point and Hotel Cham
pam WleT9 tle freSluent ana the other
guests are Quartered.
During the ride UP the lake the rain
stopped and the sun shown again The
President roamed hero and there about
the big steamer. the Ticondcroga, and
finally gathering up Messrs. Bryce and
Jusscrand. Governor Hughes Of New
York and Governor Prouty. CT Vermont,
all hands repaired to the -pnciouc pil,,
house whc~e they met the captain ard
sat fc- nearly an hour enjoying the
changing panorama OF water and noun
tains.
GUEST OF MP. WIrHERBEE
The President was the guest Tonight
at dinner Of Walter witherbee on the
latter's household. which IL anchored in
the lake off this point There. for tho
FIRST time on the trip. the President met
his sor, Robert A. Taft. and his daugh-
tor. Miss Helen. who have been guests
Of tho witherbees for several days.
Tomorrow the scene Of the celebration
shifts to Plattsburgh where the Presi-
dent again will mako. a brief address
and where Senator Elihu Root viii de-
liver the historical Grafton Of the cele-
bration. Mr. Taft will take back with
him to washington several relics from
-
day. Among these were an ancient key
and the head Of an Indian tomahawk
SPEECHES AT TICONDEROGA.
Ambassador Jusserand, In his speech
this afternoon. was most Fictitious in
his expression OF peace and good will
toward America, toward Great Britain
and toward all the world. He referred
with much feeling to the fact that
France and Great britain soon are to
celebrate the completion OF one humid
red years OF peace.
Ambassador Bryce took up this theme
and declared that although lie was sur
rounded by martial scenes and men of
arms, he himself was man OF peace.
mot until ! visited the old fort
yonder to-day" said Mr.. Bryce. did l
realize, how many memories cluster
around its ruins. but cannot but be-
heve it's Creator meant this beautiful
SPOT for something else than fighting
and ! trust that 1t never will see fight
Ing again"
Ambassador Bryce declared that the
English and the French In the lighting
about Ticonderoga found each other
worthy foes While he admired them. he
4. srid. for their courage In the cause
, thcy went forth to fight for, he hoped
they would never. never do II again.