Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-07-08

I
first Of the series OF events celebrating
the goth anniversary OF the discovery or
Lake Champlaln BY the famous French
explorer. navigator and colonizer Samuel
de Champaign, occurred to-day at Crown
Point where Champlain with his Cana
dian Indian allies Of the Huron and Al
gonquin tribes, first met the lroquois In
battle
Tho celebration was arranged jointly
between the States OF New York and
Vernon, and will continue through the
week. representivcs OF France. OF Eng
land. Of Canada and OF the Indian ahor-
incines Joining with those of the States
and of the federal government in exer-
ciscs commemorative Of the history maxi
ing struggles throughout the Champlain
valley.
The discovery Of Lake Champaign In
July. 1909. antcdates the discovery oy
whites OF any portion of the territory
now comprised in tho State Of New York
and deeming it ar event worthy OF com
memorat!on IN the annals OF State and
nation, the state OF Vermont In 1906 APP
pointed a commission headed by Cover
nor Prouty to arrange with similar
commission to be appointed on the part
of New York, to arrange for the observ-
ance OF such precautionary.
The New York commission WAS APP
pointed the following year and Jointly
tie representatives of the two States
arranged the program. Fl. Wallace
KnaDr OF Mooers Is head OF the New
York commission which during the
week will entertain President Taft the
United States Senator Root, Ambassa-
dor bryce of Great Britain and Jusser-
and of France. members of the New
York Legislature and other distinguish
cd guests Thursday and Friday the
party will he guests Of the State OF Yer
mont.
To-day's program included a sham
battle between companies Of the Tenth
regiment which has been in camp for
week at Crown Point. a Indian pageant
and literary exercises late in the day.
The speakers were Governor Hughes,
ex Mayor Seth Low Of New York and
Judge Albert c. Barnes OF Chicago An
original poem entitled a Song for tho
Terccntenary OF Lake Champlain" had
been composed of Clinton Scholkleder Of
Clinton. n. Y, for the occasion.
The Indian drama of Hiawatha which
formed a picturesque part OF the days
program was produced by $50 Indians,
original descendants Of the Algonnuins and
Iroquo!s who participated In the sham
battle under the direction Of T.. O. Arm
strong Of Montreal on a floating island
constructed on barges The island which
is several hundred feet in length depicts
among other scenic effects a stockade
the point Of attack in n battle by besieging
bands OF Indians. who reach the beach
In canoes.
ADDRESS OF SETH Low.
In his address Seth Low said; TT is
an interesting coincidence that the
state and city Of New York are to
celebrate. in this same year. the voy-
age OF Henry Hudson up the majestic
river which bears his name, which
led almost Immediately TO the settle
ment OF New Amsterdam by the Dutch.
1t Ia worthy OF remark that while the
French wer- the first TO enter our
State and while this laks still bears
the name of ito dscoverer. the name
Of New France" never attached IT.
self permanently to New York terri
tory. The Dutch. on tho other hand.
called the province New Netherlands"
Dc1OTe l'S DOTOeTS were stiiCtiy u.s.
fined. and this name It held until its
cession by the Dutch to England gave
to the Providence. and afterward to
the State It's name OF New York. The
French name did not adhere. while
the Dutch name did because to the
French this region was only a battle
ground. while to the Dutch this terri
tory offered the opportunity or per-
manent settlement. More than once
In tho history OF this country the
plough has thus shown itself superior
to tho sword as affcrdng title TO
tho land. When the oregon terri
tory was In dispute between the Uni
ted States and Great Britain, the title
ultimately fell to the United states,
because 1t was proved that settlers
arriving In wagons upon wheels over
land from the American Union, were
the first to establish homes there py
ploughing the soil for permanent oc-
cupancy, The EnGlis.. claim. on the
other hand, rested upon the early an"
undisputed presence of their fur tra'-
ers IN the Same region; but when the
dispute WAS adjusted. /. was recos-
nizcd that to shoot over land TO
gather rurs constitutes a title far less
valuable than to make the land yieiu
crops for the support OF human ne
And so oregon and the state OF Wash
ington became parts of the United
states"
AS MANY INDIANS AS EVER
1T will probably DO u surprise to many
to be told that it Is believed that there
1r..r