By this delegation an image is brought to you, the image of France. More than once before, under one form or another, when the struggle was for independence or for greatness, it appeared on these shores, and was a good omen. The exchange of tokens of friendship between two nations with so much in common in the past, so much in the future, with their similar aims, has been ceaseless. Be assured that our hearts beat in unison with yours, and will ever remember with gratitude what is now being done to honor a son of France by the states of New York and Vermont, and by that generous, hospitable, tireless committee, the Champlain Committee.
The ancients used to place amulets as harbingers of good luck in the foundations of their great buildings. The figure of France to be placed on the base of the Champlain monument is being offered to you, not merely as a thing of beauty, but also as an amulet to bring luck to a nation whom we have never ceased to love. (Applause.)
In presenting the next speaker, President Finley said:
A few weeks ago I was in great peril of losing my life by falling off the western boundary of the State of New York into the Niagara river. I was trying to follow the path of the Frenchmen who carried from Lake Ontario to a point several miles above the Falls, the equipment for the first sailing vessel to navigate the waters of the Upper Lakes. While I was climbing to a narrow ledge of rock covered with ice, a hundred feet above the river, I appreciated as never before the hardihood of the French explorers and the dearness of the soil of New York to me. I have a particular satisfaction in being able to stand here to-night and to introduce to you the Acting Governor of this Empire State, Governor Conway.
Address of Lieutenant-Governor Thomas F. Conway
The discovery of Lake Champlain, the tercentenary of which we celebrate, was an event of transcendent importance. Viewed from the standpoint of scenic grandeur, this magnificent body of water with its setting of mountains, valleys and islands, presents a picture of unrivaled beauty and sublimity unsurpassed upon the face of the earth. Viewed from the standpoint of history, the Champlain Valley was, from the time of its discovery until the close of the Revolution, the scene of events of world-wide interest; events that have had an important bearing upon the history of modern times. It was upon its shores the first battle between Champlain and the Iroquois was fought and, according to the most authentic evidence, at this identical spot that the plaque “La France” is to be placed. It was also upon its shores, near Ticonderoga, that the intrepid Montcalm defeated Lord Abercromby and, for the time, stayed the aggression of the English in their efforts to control the destinies of the Western world. It was upon its waters the first naval battle of the Revolution was fought, at Valcour, between Benedict Arnold, commanding the American fleet, and Sir Guy Carleton, commanding the British squadron. It was also upon its waters, in Plattsburgh Bay, that the last naval battle of the war of 1812 took place between the American fleet commanded by the brave Commodore Macdonough, and the British by the equally intrepid commander, Downie—a battle which is now considered one of the decisive battles of the world.
Its discovery, therefore, and the events surrounding and following it richly merited its tercentenary celebration and this, its culminating and crowning feature. Indeed, this celebration in itself is an event of striking significance. It stamps indelibly upon the life and work of Samuel Champlain the world’s verdict. It attests its judgment of their nobility and value and vindicates the judgment of his contemporaries in conferring high honor and commendation upon him.
It demonstrates in a most impressive manner the fact that nobility of character and unselfish devotion to ideals and purposes which lead upward and onward in human progress, constitute the true path to immortality of fame. Actuated by a desire to bring to the New World a knowledge of the faith, the philosophy and the civilization of his native land, more than by motives of conquest, or to extend its territorial dominion, he exemplified in his conduct the distinguishing traits of the colonial policy of his nation, which then and ever since has been characterized by a desire to confer benefits upon new subjects while acquiring dominion without bloodshed or destruction; its recognition of the right of every people to give expression to their ideals, their genius and their national aspirations in laws and institutions established by themselves.
The influence of his example and the effect of his work have been profound and abiding.