EVOLUTION OF THE
CHAMPLAIN CELEBRATION PROJECT
The decisive events which have been noted may serve to point out the successive
periods of domination in the Champlain valley, by the aborigines, by the
French, the British, and the American patriots. Without entering here
more fully upon the general course of history, it will be seen that the
Champlain valley, even in its wars, rivals in importance any other portion
of our national domain, the greater battlefields of the Civil War alone
excepted.
But the significance of its history
is not merely in its military record. It has been closely identified with
many of the great civic events and political movements which have exerted
a marked influence upon the character of our institutions. In its story are
inseparably woven events of colonial, state, national and international
significance, many of which have had a direct bearing on the course of our
national life and in moulding our institutions.
The marking of anniversaries of historic events with celebrations of
an historic character, has long been, in many lands, a popular and a
worthy form of commemoration. The use of historic costumes, of floats
and other devices in brilliant pageants, has especially in recent years come
into high favor, notably on great historical occasions at London, Warwick,
St. John and Quebec. At the last two named, the celebrations
commemorated the exploits and fame of Samuel Champlain. The people
of the Champlain valley, desirous of suitably observing the 300th anniversary
of its discovery, early conceived the idea of an historical celebration,
which should combine historical or symbolic pageantry with appropriate religious and literary features.
The interest of the American people in such celebration as that at
Yorktown in 1881, the centennial of the inauguration of George Washington
as the first President of the United States at New York in 1889,
the historic phases of the Philadelphia Exposition of 1876, the Columbian
Exposition at Chicago in 1893, the St. Louis Exposition of 1904, and
still others, leaves no room for doubt but that Americans, quite as
generally as the people of other nations, are deeply concerned in whatever has
contributed in any way to the extent and development of their country
and to the formation and character of its civil and religious institutions.
They believe that the more these are studied and the better they are
understood, the stronger will be the reliance of the people on the broad and
humane principles that underlie the fabric of our republican form of
government, for whose preservation should be begot in the minds of all
classes unwavering loyalty and the willingness to pour out the last full
measure of personal devotion. The historic portions of our country,
young in years though they be, have been the theaters where have been
enacted deadly tragedies, involving human life and our national sovereignty and are therefore suggestive of many examples of true and
lofty patriotism, “the type most needed in this age and most useful to
mankind,” as was said by the historian, Lecky, in defining an ideal.
The
discovery, subjugation and settlement of various parts of the country
involved efforts, sacrifices and hardships on the part of many, worthy
of emulation, and these through pageant, realistic presentation, or otherwise,
cannot too often be called to the attention of successive generations,
destined to occupy and ultimately to control this land, dedicated as it is to the principles of civil and religious liberty.
Love of country is born of a knowledge of its institutions, its traditions
and history, wherein are revealed the lives of its people and their heroic
achievements. Such motives as these from time to time have actuated
the people of this country to celebrate some of the important events in our
history and led to the inception of the Tercentenary Celebration of the
Discovery of Lake Champlain by Samuel Champlain in the month of
July, 1609, which with attending circumstances proved to be crucial
in determining the character of the language, laws and institutions of the
people of the Province of New York.
It was thought that such a celebration might also very properly commemorate
some of the thrilling events of state, national and international import,
that occurred in the Champlain valley during the two centuries following
its discovery, for no other part of our domain is richer in historic
lore. This conception of the scope of the celebration was largely realized
as will be seen from a perusal of the program of exercises that followed.
The Quebec Tercentenary, under the direction of the well known
manager, Frank Lascelles, a graduate of Oxford, who was consulted on
several occasions in relation to the scope of the Champlain celebration,
was such a success that the people of Vermont and New York
concluded that a celebration less pretentious and less spectacular, but still
realistic enough to picture the discovery and aboriginal life of the
Champlain valley and extensive enough to recall some of the stirring events
which have made Lake Champlain famous in two hemispheres, might very
properly engage the attention and warrant the participation of these
states and of the Federal Government in its preparation and fulfillment.
To Vermont belongs the credit of taking the first official action
in the matter. Early in November, 1906, the Hon. Robert W. McCuen, a
member from Vergennes, introduced in the House of Representatives of
Vermont, a resolution which, as finally adopted and approved by Governor
Proctor, November 1 5th, read as follows:
JOINT RESOLUTION FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A
COMMISSION FOR THE THREE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DISCOVERY OF LAKE
CHAMPLAIN.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:
WHEREAS, The discovery of Lake Champlain
was an event in history fully as important as many others that have
been recognized by various States, as well as by the National Government,
and
WHEREAS. The three hundredth anniversary of such discovery will occur
on July 4, 1909, it is hereby
Resolved, By the Senate and House of Representatives: That
this event should be observed in a fitting manner, and to bring about
an observance commensurate with its importance there is hereby provided
a commission consisting of the Governor, who shall be chairman, ex
officio, and six other members to be appointed by the Governor
before January 1, 1907, one of whom shall act as secretary. Said commission
is hereby empowered to adopt such measures as in its judgment may
be reasonable or necessary to bring about the fitting observance of
such event. And, as the interests of the State of New York and the
Dominion of Canada are allied with those of Vermont in such observance,
it is hereby recommended that said commission confer with the proper
authorities of New York and Canada to ascertain what action they or
either of them will take with Vermont in making the observance of
this event successful and a credit to all: and that the commission
report the result of such efforts, together with its recommendations
to the General Assembly of 1908.
The members of said commission shall receive no pay
for services rendered, except their necessary expenses. The secretary
of said commission shall be allowed such sum for services rendered
as may be fixed by said commission. The Auditor of Accounts is hereby
authorized to draw an order for such expenses and allowance when approved
by the Governor.
THOMAS C. CHENEY,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
GEORGE H. PROUTY,
President of the Senate.
Approved November 15, 1906.
FLETCHER D. PROCTOR,
Governor.
Immediately upon its approval, Governor Proctor [of Vermont] called
the matter to the attention of Senator Henry W. Hill, of Buffalo, who
was at Montpelier, Vt., at the time, and suggested that he prepare and
introduce a similar resolution in the Legislature of New York.
Governor Proctor, who was cx officio chairman of the
Vermont Commission, appointed as the other members thereof the following
gentlemen: Walter E. Howard, Lynn M. Hays, Horace W. Bailey, M. D.
McMahon, R. W. McCuen and Walter H. Crockett.
Some members of the Vermont Commission presented the matter to Governor
Hughes [of New York], Senators H. Wallace Knapp, Henry W. Hill and others,
at Albany, and also to Sir Wilfred Laurier at Ottawa. Both executives
were impressed with the importance and desirability of such a celebration.
On April 15, 1907, Senator Hill offered in the Senate of New York the
following concurrent resolution, which passed the Senate that day and
the Assembly on the next day:
WHEREAS, The discovery of Lake Champlain
by Samuel Champlain in July, 1609, antedates the discovery by the whites
of any other portion of the territory now comprising the State of New
York, and was an event worthy of commemoration in the annals of the
State and nation; and
WHEREAS, The State of Vermont, in 1906, appointed a commission consisting
of the Governor of that State and six other commissioners, to confer
with commissioners to be appointed on the part of New York and the Dominion
of Canada, to ascertain what action, if any, ought to be taken by such
States and the Dominion of Canada for the observance of such tercentenary;
therefore, be it
Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That a commission, consisting
of the Governor, who shall be chairman cx officio, two citizens to be
designated by him, the Lieutenant-Governor, the Speaker of the Assembly,
two Senators, to be designated by the Lieutenant-Governor, and two members
of the Assembly, to be designated by the Speaker, be appointed to represent
the State of New York at such conference, with power to enter into negotiations
with the commissioners representing the State of Vermont and those representing
the Dominion of Canada for the observance of such tercentenary, and
that such commission report the results of their negotiations, together
with their recommendations thereon, to the Legislature of 1908. That
such commissioners receive no pay for their services and that their
necessary expenses be paid by the State, but such payment shall not
exceed the amount expressly appropriated therefor;
Resolved (if the Assembly concur). That the resolution relating
to the same subject, introduced by Senator Hill, passed by the Senate
on the tenth day of April, and concurred in by the Assembly, be and
is hereby rescinded.
In support of the resolution Senator Hill dwelt upon the fact that
Champlain was the first white man to enter what is now New York State.
He called attention to the great part the Champlain valley has sustained
as a highway both for the passage of war parties and of armies, and of
the messengers of peace, of civilization and of commerce. Its agreeable
summer climate and scenic charm were additional arguments in favor of
the proposed celebration.
Under this concurrent resolution of April 15, 1907, was created the
Lake Champlain Tercentenary Commission of New York State. The report
of that first or preliminary commission was sent to the Senate by Governor
Hughes on March 23, 1908. As it contains a full record of the action
taken in behalf of New York State, up to the time when it was sent to
the Senate, and includes many matters germane thereto, it may properly
constitute the next chapter in our narrative and is given in full, in
the following pages.
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