The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-07-07
BRYCE AND JUSSERAND
ECHO HIS SENTIMENTS
In the Shadow Of Old Ticondenpga,
Where Bloody Battles Were
Fought, Taft Speaks to Big
Crvsve - People.

Bluff Point, N. Y, July 6.-With the
arrival of President Taft, Ambassador
Jusserand of France, Ambassador Bryce
of Great Britain, Secretary of War Dick
inson and Vice Admiral Urui of Japan,
the celebration of the three hundredth
anniversary of the discovery of Lake
Champlain. which had been confined dur
ing the past two days to the states of
New York and Vermont, today took on
an international scope and worldwide
interest. For Ambassadors Jusserand and
Bryce and President Taft all committed
their respective countries to policies of
peace and in the shadow of an old fort
ress which had witnessed some of the
bloodiest battle in all history they ex-
pressed the hope that never again would
the peace among the great nations of
the world be interrupted by war
The President and the other distn-
guished guests had an afternoon of con-
tinuing interest from their very arrival
at 2:3o o'clock by special train from AL
bany. The President arrived at Albany
from Norwich, Conn, and New York, the
French ambassador from Washington and
British representative from Lennox,
one train for old Fort Ticonderoga, where
the principal celebration of the day was
held. The President and the ambassa-
dors and the members of their staffs
were shown through the historic ruins of
''Old IT, as the natives call the strong
hold, which is now in course of recon-
strustion. There was historic interest In
the old place for the representatives of
Great Britain. France and the United
States alike, for the rocky promon cry
was held in turn by the French, English
and the American revo1utionists. Some
of the OH --nrion were in place and
hundreds of rusty relics were on view.
Reminders of Past.
Some of these were reminders of the
days of Indian conflicts others were links
OF history leading back to the bloody
fights of Montcalm, Abercrombie and Am
herst, to the famous taking of the place
by band of SO American colonists under
Gen Ethan Allen and to naval battles
which helped to make famous the waters
of the lake three centuries ago by
Samuel De Champlain. Below the fort on
the placid waters of the lake was re-
production of Champain's little caravel.
the Don de Dieu.
A heavy rain fell during the morning
and left the steep roads leading up to the
fort dangerously slippery. After the Pres
ioent had completed the rounds of the
tort and enjoyed the view of the lake
from its commanding position, he pro-
ceeded to the grandstand which stood
half way down the hill and which was
surrounded by several thousand people.
The cheering of the people as the fres-
ident's automobile was seen coming down
the steep incline was suddenly changed TO
a tense silence when the big machine, its
wheel locked by the brakes, but slipping
over the treacherous surface, began TO
skid toward the edge of the roadway
The chauffeur quickly got the car under
control, however, and the danger was
over In an instant The President was
the least concerned of any person in the
throng.
Rainfall at Close.
An afternoon shower came up following
the ceremony at the stand and the Pres
tdent walked q quarter of mile in the
rain to the boat house, which after 20-mile
sail I'D the lake, landed it's distinguished
messengers at Port Henry, where the spe-
cial train again was boarded for the trip
TO Bluff Point and Hotel Champlain
where the President and other guests are
quartered.
The President was the guest tonight at
dinner of Walter Witherbee, on the lat
ter's house boat, which Is anchored in
the lake off this point. There the Pres
ident met his son, Robert, and his daugh-
ter. Miss Helen, who have been guests
of the Witherbees for several days.
Tomorrow the scene of the celebration
shifts to Plattsburgh, where the Pres
ident will again make a brief address,
Ambassador Jusserand, in his speech this
afternoon. was most felicitious in his ex
pression OF peace and good Will toward
America. toward Great Britain and to-
ward all the world.
Ambasador Bryce took UP this theme and
declared that although he was surround
ed by martial scenes ana men men OF arms
President Taft, speaking next, also took
up the theme Of peace.
Taft's Address.
"As sat here listening to the interest
ing remarks of the ambassador from
France and the ambassador from Eng
land" said Mr.. Taft, Il could not but
congratulate the United States on the
impiied compliment that those two coun-
tries had paid her by sending here, as
the personal representatives OF their re-
spectiye chief executives. men SO distin-
ruished In literature. in history, In states
nnanship and in diplomacy.
Another thing that came to me as sat
here and looked at that embattled hill
was that the state Of New York and the
state of Vermont were most fortunate IN
heine able to find place upon which
three nations could celebrate the past with
.rtirs consistency and with great Joy; be-
cause. exercising proper discrimination.
thew can claim deeds of valor and success
for each nation on every spot about this
lake.
"Champlain was a man whom all ma
tions can honor. He Is not man with
respect to whose memory you nave 10
mass over something in silence All his
i,fe could bear the closest examination
and he brings out in the strongest way
those wonderful qualities shown In the
nftsenth. sixteenth and seventeenth cen