Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-07-08
CELEBRATION SHIFTS
Scene Of champlain Ter-centenary
Changes From New York to Vermont
President and Others Speak at Bur-
linston.


linston.
Burlington, VT, July s-The scene
of the Lake Champlain ter centenary
celebration shifted today from New
York to Vermont, with Burlington as
the setting for the days ceremonies.
When the steamer bearing President
Taft. the French and English ambas-
sadors, Governor Hughes, of New
York, and members Of the New York
legislature, arrived at the wharf, it was
met by the Vermont division of the
national guard. The visitors We're es-
corted to the city hall park, where lit
erary exercises were held. The pro-
gram included addresses by Taft
Bruce, Jusserand, Hughes aud Post
master General Lemieux. of Canada
The parade at noon was followed by
luncheon given by Governor Prouty to
the presidential party and other Off
cial guests.
TAFT Sees Significance.
In his address today Taft again took
occasion to emphasize the significance
OF the celebration, bringing out re-
newed evidences of the unity which
exists between. the United States,
France, Great Britain and Canada.
"This." declared the president, "is
unity which never can be torn apart"
Reviewing the fraternal spirit and sin
cerity of the three days of association,
OF the accredited representatives of
three great nations and EnglRnd's do
main to the north the president ex-
claimed: Where in all the world can
be found a memorial to sompare with
this?"
Ambassador Bryce Speaks.
Speaking here today in connection
with the Champlain ter-centenary, the
Right. Hon. James Bryce, British am
bassador, referred at the outset to the
advantage OF this, comparatively new
country, in knowing intimately Of its
earliest development. He said:
you are connmemorating. and it is
most fitting you should commemorate,
a great event with which the history
of your noble state begins, the dis
covery of the lake which extends all
along it's eastern side and is one Of Its
greatest charms. You have notable
advantage over European nations in
knowing so much more about your
earlier days. We know little, and the
changes that have made Great Brit
ain what she is have been slow and
gradual. Here when think Of what
this region was 300 years ago l can
hardly believe that such change can
have been accomplished in so short
time. What an awe-inspiring and ter
rible wilderness these shores
were in 1909. What daring was
needed to explore these vast
and solitary forests, solitary
because the Indian tribes had made
them so by incessant wars! What a
spirit the men had who in their frail
canoes traversed these rivers and lakes,
or followed difficult trail thru woods
full of wild beasts, or in which savages
more dangerous than wild beasts lurk-
ed in ambush, with no guide except
Indians, often treacherous, and no hope
of succor from friends left behind.
When Champlain first gilded over these
waters, there was not European
nearer than Virginia, where the Eng
lish had made their little settlement
two years before, and Champlain as
suredly did not wish the EnSish any
nearer. Only in this same year 1909
did Henry Hudson, our own famous
navigator, enter the river that now
bears his name.
"They were wonderful men, these
explorers Of the New World, beginning
with Christopher Columbus and Ma
gellan hero not less bold and skillful
than Columbus himself. Cabot, vasco
Nunez de Balboa. De Soto, Cortes,
Pizarro, La Sale, Hudson are famous
list. Among them our hero of today
Samuel Champlah-stands out as one
of the ablest, and certainly one of the
best"