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.
The first white man to set foot within the borders of what has
become the Empire State of the Union, he doubtless was fired with
the ambition to make it a part of New France. He found it peopled
by the most powerful native tribes inhabiting the New World.
The Five Nations, represented in the Long House of the Iroquois,
dominated the region, and were, and had been for more than a
century thoroughly organized for defense and aggression. Its
confederation evinced political genius of a high order. In their
warfare with the Algonquians of the St. Lawrence Valley, and other
native tribes, they had made the beautiful Champlain an almost
constant scene of conflict and carnage; so much so that its fertile
valleys and beautiful shores ceased to be inhabited, except as
the various warrior bands camped upon them temporarily in their
expeditions of plunder and destruction.
Later, in the prolonged struggles of the two greatest nations of
the time, France and England, to establish their authority and
enforce their respective civilizations upon the New World, the
alliance of the Long House of the Iroquois with the English forces
determined the conflict in their favor and thus ended the effort
inaugurated by Champlain to establish the dominion of France over a
large territory of which he was the discoverer.
While, as a result, the civic policy of the country was thereafter
dominated by British power and influence down to the time of the
Revolution, nevertheless, the memory of the valor and the heroism
of explorers like Champlain and of missionaries like Marquette, La
Salle, and their co-workers, left their enduring impress for good,
not only upon the civilization of our State, but upon that of our
whole country.
For all this we owe a debt of gratitude to France, hardly less than
the debt we owe it for its unselfish and priceless assistance in
our struggle for independence.
In the three hundred years since the discovery of the lake and
region identified with the name of Champlain, the world has
witnessed a greater advance in intelligence, in human progress, in
the principle of liberty and in the recognition and protection by
governments of the rights of the ordinary man, than in any similar
period in recorded history.
To the intelligent observer it is evident that this advance
is to-day progressing with undiminished force on the basis of
individual freedom, individual responsibility and self-imposed
restraint, which constitute the inspiration, the steadying force
and the vitalizing principle of true progress.
Proof of all this confronts us in every land to-day; but, as
convincing and pertinent evidence on this occasion, reference need
only be made to progress in the region with which the name and fame
of Samuel Champlain are imperishably associated.
I am glad that our distinguished guests from France are to visit
that region and especially the beautiful lake bearing his name,
and contrast existing conditions with the earlier scenes of
savage warfare and bloodshed there enacted by the natives prior
to Champlain’s advent, and subsequently, during the struggle for
supremacy between the two great contending nations of that day.
We would have you see the peaceful and tranquil aspect of that
beautiful lake now with its bosom dotted with splendid steamers,
the instrumentalities of pleasure and commerce; the well equipped
railroads skirting its shores, required and maintained by the
enterprise and business activities there existing; the prosperous
cities, the thriving villages, the well-kept and productive
farms; the contented and happy homes; the schools, the churches,
the hospitals, the charitable organizations; in short, every
institution in which a most advanced civilization finds its
best expression and through which it performs its best and most
elevating service for mankind.
It will enable you to better understand and appreciate the depth of
our gratitude to your great countryman and the meaning we attach to
this celebration commemorating his achievements.
On behalf of the state of New York and its upwards of nine millions
of inhabitants, for whom I have the privilege and honor to speak on
this occasion, I extend to our distinguished guests from France a
most cordial and heartfelt welcome.
And, if I may be permitted to anticipate a little, I will convey
to them in advance and, through them, to their country, the
appreciation and gratitude of our state and its people for the gift
they bring and the honor they do us. It is the conception of a
great artist, admirably typifying the ideals and aspirations of a
great nation. I beg to assure you, our honored guests, that we will
ever treasure it as an expression of the good will and friendship
of our sister republic—France—placing the seal of its approval
and appreciation on this celebration honoring the achievements of
Samuel Champlain.
In closing, permit me to say that the recollection of your visit to
our state and the motives that inspired it will ever be associated
with the gift of your country, lending to it an element of personal
interest as pleasing as it will be permanent in the minds and
hearts of all who may have the privilege of meeting you during your
visit. (Applause.)
[Illustration: GOVERNOR JOHN A. MEAD
Chairman of the Vermont Commission
By courtesy of Shover, Montpelier, Vt.]
In alluding to the Governor of Vermont, President Finley remarked:
The Governor of Vermont, with rare forbearance, wishes to be excused
from speaking. But as Jacques Cartier, nearly a century before the
Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, saw, first of Europeans, the peaks of
the Green mountains, so I wish you, from the land of the pilot of St.
Malo, to see the topmost peak in Vermont to-day, its Governor, the
Hon. John A. Mead.
Governor Mead stood and bowed to the audience. (Applause.)
The Toastmaster then introduced Mayor William J. Gaynor of New York
City.
When in the most beautiful and largest city in the southwest of
France a year ago (Bordeaux), I learned, to my surprise, that the
great philosopher and essayist, Montaigne, had been its mayor. And it
is possible that generations hence the distinction of Mr. Gaynor as
Mayor may be surpassed even by his fame as a philosopher. Certainly
no man in public life to-day is writing in his everyday letters with
such pungency and appeal on some of the problems of life, which
continue to disturb mankind.
ADDRESS OF MAYOR WILLIAM J. GAYNOR
I am sure, said the Mayor, I am quite willing to say nothing and to
write another letter. (Laughter and applause.) This is the third
time I have greeted the delegation from France. Once was at the
City Hall and the other time was at a luncheon at the Metropolitan
Club. And I am very anxious to hear M. Hanotaux. The coming of
these gentlemen will cause us to think a great deal about what we
owe to France and to the French people.
You women, the Mayor added, with his eyes twinkling, might well
consider the economy of the woman of France. She knows her market
prices and she goes to market. (Laughter and applause.) I think if
some of you will follow her example the cost of living will begin
to come down right away. (Laughter.)
There never was a time, I believe, when in the hearts of the
American people there was any danger of forgetting what we owe to
France. (Applause.)
President Finley then presented the French delegation as follows:
And now, ladies and gentlemen, how shall I characterize to you the
men who constitute this notable delegation? I wish I were able to
do so in my own tongue as did Baron d’Estournelles de Constant so
eloquently a few days ago in an acquired tongue,—to tell you how this
great historian and statesman, Hanotaux, has, with an art which only
a Greek or a Frenchman could command, gathered into this company men
representing every high interest of France to carry this symbol of
international good will to our Republic and affix it to our monument,
in eternal memory of their countryman.
Two members of the French Academy, M. René Bazin and M. Lamy;
a foremost representative of the art of France, M. Cormon; two
members of Parliament, one already our well-beloved friend, Sénateur
Baron d’Estournelles de Constant, and M. Louis Barthou; the great
geographer, Vidal de la Blache; General Lebon; the riders of the sea
and the riders of the air; and then, the representatives of two great
families who have been especially distinguished in America’s service.
What art of selection! I must, however, be content simply to name to
you the speakers already so well introduced to you. I present first,
M. Gabriel Hanotaux.
M. Hanotaux responded in French, but he supplied the following
English version of his address.
ADDRESS OF HIS EXCELLENCY, ALBERT AUGUSTE GABRIELLE HANOTAUX
GENTLEMEN.—The French Delegation you have so cordially
welcomed is fully aware that this is the most important stage
of its journey. For, albeit we are going to Lake Champlain to
personally place in the hands of the architects of the monument,
the bust of “La France” which is to be fixed there as a seal of
friendship and gratitude, it is here that we make the formal
presentation to the Commissions and, through them, to the world of
friends which France has in the United States.
Here in New York, in this Empire City, where so much of past effort
and present energy are concentrated, where five millions of human
hearts beat in unison for the greater glory and ultimate triumph of
humanity, we have met with a touching, affectionate and splendid
reception which speaks to us of the warm-heartedness of the Great
American Republic.
From the moment we placed foot upon this soil we have been
captivated and carried away by such a whirlwind of cordiality and
good-fellowship that we scarce have had time to recover ourselves.
First of all the American branches of the Comité France-Amérique
were there to receive us, and, at once, we recognized within
their ranks the eminent men who by reason of their origin, their
connections or their particularly elegant culture have linked
themselves of their own accord with our beloved France. Nothing
could have touched us more than this first reception. France,
France itself before us, beyond the mighty ocean we had just
crossed under such thrilling conditions on the morrow of an awful
disaster. On the other hand, and you, gentlemen, will not, I trust,
forget it, the first vessel which came to you, after so dire a
catastrophe, bearing words of comfort and hope was named “France.”
Our welcome, already so touching, grew apace. Our eminent
ambassador to the United States, Monsieur Jusserand, who has
given so much of his time and taken so much trouble, to organize
this mission, which he himself conceived, informed Mr. Taft, the
President of the United States, of our desire to present to him the
respectful homage of the delegation.
The President, despite his overwhelming occupations, received
us at his table; in the very kindest manner he honored, in our
persons, the thought which has brought us here. He was so kind as
to give us personally, in connection with our visit, assurances
of his encouragement and approval; which have been for us an
ample reward. These countless acts of friendship of all kinds we
have looked upon—and rightly so—as being addressed to our beloved
Mother-Country and to the Government of the French Republic, which
has so splendidly encouraged and aided us in the accomplishment of
our mission.
Travelling through a part of the American continent on our way to
Washington, we were able to admire the ever-increasing progress
and masterful civilization of your Republic. We left the city
of five million souls, so concentrated in its immensity that
in a manner it rises skyward upon itself; we passed through an
admirable country, looking, at this season of the year, like some
great garden dotted with cottages and shrubs and trees; we crossed
majestic rivers which evoked the finest pages of Chateaubriand,
the protagonist of the French writers of America; the steel cars
carried us with prodigious speed through long tunnels and over
iron bridges which groaned beneath the onrushing train; we barely
caught sight of Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, for a
space at once the citadel and the keystone of American liberty; and
we were in another city, a city beautiful, a city verdant, whose
noble proportions are worthy of the great nation of which it is the
capital, a city planned, we are proud to recall, by an officer of
the French army: Major L’Enfant. We were taken to Mount Vernon and
there we were thrilled by a greater sight than any we had yet seen:
the shrine where you cherish in the most impressive simplicity the
memory of the Man whose life was naught else than the constant
blending of greatness and simplicity.
And, gentlemen, when on our return here we think of all this
greatness, of the endless and unceasing activity, of these wonders
heaped upon wonders, when we think of the hundred million human
beings living in the United States, earning their substance here,
finding here their work, their pleasures, their luxuries and their
ideal; loving this land they themselves have created, which belongs
to them and to which they belong, proud of an admirable past,
confident in a future which gives promise of even greater things,
how could our imagination fail to go back to the men who were the
first pioneers in this country, to the men who dared its perils
and wrested from it its secrets when there were no other European
inhabitants.
The accounts of their travels depict them to us, with all their
daring, with all their perseverance, their hardships and sufferings
and sacrifices; but finally with their slow and hard-won victories
over Nature and Fate.
We know that the first among them, fired by the discovery of mines
in South America, especially in Peru, sought only gold. Gold there
was in very truth, but not where they were looking for it. What
a prodigious misunderstanding the mirage of gold caused between
this land of plenty and the men who landed here; it cannot be
exaggerated, and how little it would have been to the honor of
the human race if, at the same time, there had not been another
and entirely different mirage born of human determination and
intelligence and worthy of the highest aspirations of Man. It is
an historical fact that while the conquistadores were seeking gold
and only gold, other explorers, the advance guard of science,
the conquistadores of the ideal, were sacrificing themselves to
a worthier aim: the finding of the northwest passage which around
North America was to lead them to China and India. The ones were
only discovering new lands that they might mine and impoverish
them, the others that they might better know and develop them!
Both mirages, and illusions on both sides; but in the end practical
results; so true is it that the dream of the impossible is at times
the most active instrument of immediate and useful achievement.
The practical results we have before our eyes; and they came about
through the efforts of a third set of explorers whom I will now
attempt to recall because one of the most characteristic among them
was our illustrious fellow-Frenchman whose memory we are gathered
here to honor, Samuel Champlain.
Landing on this new continent, these men were immediately struck
by one thing: to how great a degree it resembled the European
countries which had given them birth. I want to lay stress
upon this point for, to their observant eyes, it was at once a
revelation and a surprise. They had to make an effort—can you
believe it—to convince themselves that they were not falling upon
an imaginary and legendary land, a land of fabulous dreams, a land
of the Arabian Nights. Everything here was like their homes and, it
is literally true, they could not believe their own eyes.
For you must not forget that the first accounts published about
the new world had described it as prodigious, fantastic and out
of proportion to anything ever before known. These legends were
believed by the credulity of the Middle-Ages, from which we were
only just emerging, they were strengthened by the tales so blithely
told by travellers for, as the old saying has it, “falsehood is
easy to one who comes from afar.” But above all, these legends had
been sunk into the minds of men by the startling facts of the early
discoveries. In the heavens
... _des étoiles nouvelles_
a wonderful light, the torrid climes of Central America, Nature so
powerful as to be actually deadly, the impenetrable forests, the
strange vegetation, the prodigious width of the rivers rolling to
the sea, everything combined, but above all Gold, Gold everywhere,
Gold in the daily life of all, Gold in the temples, Gold on the
ground, Gold in the bowels of the earth, Gold seen and Gold unseen,
that is what exalted their overwrought imaginations to madness. It
was impossible to admit that this land could be a land like other
lands. So that it needed extraordinary common sense (if these
two words may be used together), it needed an almost miraculous
self-control in these pioneers, in this third set of explorers of
which I am speaking, to forsake their preconceived notions and get
down to earth again and see that this land was after all a land
just like other lands, like the lands from which they had sprung,
loamy and fertile and fruitful, where the trees were like European
trees, with clusters of vines hanging from the branches; where
wheat grew naturally; where the fish of the rivers and sea were the
same fish that they had at home, a land where the cattle of the
Mother-country waxed fat, and where at the accustomed seasons the
welcome sward stretched its mantle of green bedecked with flowers
to the very threshold of the abodes of man; where in the fall the
countryside was crowned with Gold; where the rule of life was the
normal and accustomed rule. Gold was lacking, at least the Gold so
greedily sought, but on the other hand in the soil and on the soil
Gold there was in very truth and in untold abundance, the Gold of
natural wealth—a civilizing, not a destructive Gold. I mean the
Gold of labor, the Gold of human brawn, the Gold of intellect, the
Gold of inspiration, the Gold which is forever being created by the
mind and will of Man; but which was only to open up its ideal mine
of surpassing wealth after centuries of sacrifice, of labor, of
tenacity, and in exchange for an immense toll of energy.
These new conquistadores, the conquistadores of labor, who set
their sails not for the land of dreams, but for the land of
the Things-As-They-Are, were the real founders of the mighty
civilization which surrounds us, and once again, in the very
forefront of their ranks, stands our great fellow-countryman Samuel
Champlain.
It was not that these men were lacking in imagination, for
imagination is the creative faculty in Man, and especially so
in the statesman. To do things is to see ahead. He had indeed a
wonderful imagination, a genius for foresight which was uncanny,
this extraordinary man who foretold the future of America, who
pointed out the location of the Panama Canal, who sketched the
development of the great Republic of the United States, who fixed
the sites of Boston, Montreal, Quebec and so many other great
and prosperous cities. His imagination was active, yes, but his
activities were always devoted to useful achievement and love of
justice.
He was the first to see that any colony on the American continent
would have to be self-supporting, those are his own words. He
builded, he planted, he sowed crops, he raised stockades and laid
out roads, as a man relying solely upon himself. Having shattered
the flimsy phantasy of fabulous Gold he quite simply became a
farmer, a soldier, an engineer; and, when upon this land he laid
the corner-stone of the first building, he laid at the same time
the foundation of a new civilization and created an empire. Once
again the nobility of labor had saved the world from the idle
vanity of dreams.
Labor!—There is the true basis of American civilization, as founded
by those pioneers who understood, such was their common sense, the
great things that could be done in the land where they had come to
stay.—Labor, the Father of Liberty, the Father of Independence,
the Father of Equality and of Justice; in a word the only solid
basis of Society.
This, then, is the characteristic—henceforth unchangeable—of your
American civilization. Everybody works, and there is work for every
one and for all, but there is no room for the idle. The ceaseless
activity of your lives shows it. The physical and mental strain
to which the richest as well as the poorest of your citizens
voluntarily subject themselves proves it. A glance at your way of
living shows that you have remained faithful to the principle of
your founders. The intense activity we have witnessed during our
short trip through your country, and which we find at its highest
pitch in this Empire City of New York, what is it but a complete
devotion to the duty imposed upon man by the opening words of the
Book of Books: “Thou shalt earn thy bread by the sweat of thy
brow.” Hence your incomparable greatness.
Blessed be Labor, gentlemen. Go on setting the example of labor to
the world. It is not Gold that counts; it is the constant and never
ceasing employment of all the faculties of Man. You have already
accomplished a prodigious work,—your future achievements will be
even more extraordinary. No one can say what the future of this
continent will be when the Isthmus of Panama is cut in twain, when
the waters of the two oceans shall be joined and the coasts of the
two Americas brought together as the leaves of a closing book. It
is a new source of wealth, it is a new field of activity and a
still wider field of authority and responsibility. Between Asia
and Europe your Republic certainly stands as the dividing line of
the world. You are at the fulcrum of the scale. The balance of the
world’s power will in future rest with you.
But now, at this very time, other problems confront you, and, first
of all, let us face it frankly, the problem of the government of
the great democracies by themselves.
All this stirs you, occupies your thoughts, and arouses your
passions. All this moves, deeply, those who come to visit you. To
use the words of the poet of old. They see clearly that in you
is being born something greater than an Iliad: “_Aliquod majus
nascitur Iliade._”
In these troublous times, gentlemen, remain true to the law of
labor, to the law of those who first planned and laid out your
future life. Look back upon those pioneers who, face to face with
the early difficulties, foreseeing the growth that was to come and
how complex it was to be, bequeathed to you, in order that you
might carry out the work, a single and a simple law: the law of
labor.
Your commemoration of Champlain, to take our modest part in which
we have crossed the ocean, proves how faithful and devoted you are
to the memory of the founders.