deux Républiques, l’une vaste, puissante, jeune, pleine d’élan et
de grandeur, l’autre plus à l’étroit sur son territoire resserré
dans la vieille Europe, mais elle aussi, active et toujours jeune,
éprise d’action, amante de la beauté, apportant à la réalisation
de son idéal la plus noble culture peut-être qu’il y ait au monde,
puisqu’elle remonte à deux mille ans en arrière aux temps où
César conquit la Gaule et où le Christ naquit. Ce qui caractérise
toutefois les relations toujours cordiales et toujours fidèles de
ces deux pays, c’est que, se développant parallèlement, ils ne se
heurtent nulle part. Je crois exprimer un fait réel, à la fois
très simple et très fort, en disant, qu’entre la France et les
États-Unis d’Amérique, il y a plus d’aptitude à se connaître et
à se comprendre qu’entre deux autres pays du monde, quels qu’ils
soient.
Et, si l’on me demande pourquoi, je répondrai en employant la
formule d’une des proclamations de la Nouvelle-Angleterre, avant
la guerre de l’Indépendance, parce que ce sont deux pays “où l’on
ne connaît ni suzerains, ni seigneurs, ni princes, mais seulement
le peuple.”
Tout donc porte les deux Républiques à l’entente et à l’union: des
souvenirs communs, un objectif pareil, une conception semblable
de la vie publique. La République américaine et la République
française sont les deux filles aînées de la liberté. 1787, l’année
de la Constitution américaine et 1789, l’année qui inaugure l’ère
moderne en France, ce sont deux grandes dates de nos histoires, et
deux grandes dates de l’histoire du monde.
Avec un point de départ presque simultané, les deux pays out suivi
leurs voies diverses, l’un occupé à se saisir d’un territoire
immense, pliant aux nécessités de cette vie énorme et dispersée
ses institutions à la fois fédéralistes et unitaires, ouvrant au
vieux monde un asile tutélaire et développant sur son sol, grâce
à cet afflux permanent du trop plein des forces humaines, une
civilisation qui est l’héritière de toutes les civilisations;
l’autre plus unitaire et plus centralisé; plus ramassé et plus
fondu, plus traditionnel, mais plus alourdi par le poids du passé,
travaillant à faire entrer, dans ses vieux cadres historiques,
les puissances d’énergie que la vie moderne exige des sociétés
qui veulent garder leur place et leur rang dans la grande famille
humaine.
Après cent ans de cet effort parallèle, les voici donc qui
apparaissent toutes deux en pleine possession de leur valeur, et
avec la conscience de ce qu’elles sont et de ce qu’elles doivent
être. N’est-ce pas le moment pour elles deux de se considérer
mutuellement et de s’apercevoir, une fois pour toutes, que dans
cette marche parallèle, elles se complètent souvent et ne se
contrarient jamais?
Puisque je parle ici devant les représentants les plus autorisés du
commerce américain, il me paraît facile de prendre le commerce en
exemple.
Le commerce est entre les peuples le premier et le plus
indispensable des biens. Qui dit commerce dit bon vouloir
réciproque, confiance mutuelle et paix. Il est incontestable, qu’à
l’origine de toutes les civilisations se trouve le _commerce_, et
quand les premiers navigateurs européens, à commencer par le plus
grand de tous, Christophe Colomb,—ont été vers l’Occident à la
recherche des terres nouvelles, que prétendaient-ils, sinon trouver
des chemins et des débouchés nouveaux? C’est du commerce qu’on peut
dire avec raison “Mens agitat molem.”
Or, précisément, dans le commerce franco-américain, une heureuse
entente de nos intérêts réciproques nous conduit à cette conviction
que, là aussi, bien peu de choses nous séparent, tandis que
beaucoup nous rapprochent. L’Amérique produit en abondance des
matières premières dont notre industrie a besoin; la France produit
des substances alimentaires, et des articles où se distingue
spécialement le goût français, et dont le luxe croissant des
Amériques aura sans doute toujours besoin. Sur ces bases, les
conditions d’une harmonie bien équilibrée peuvent sans trop de
difficultés se dégager. Aussi voyons nous que la France est de
toutes les nations de l’Europe (l’Angleterre exceptée), celle qui
fait le plus d’affaires avec les États-Unis proportionnellement
au chiffre de sa population et à l’étendue de son territoire,
confirmant ainsi l’observation que je faisais tout à l’heure, à
savoir que les lois de l’histoire doivent combiner nos efforts, et
que, seule, une erreur inexcusable pourrait les séparer.
C’est pour étendre et appliquer cette opinion,—j’irai jusqu’à dire
cette doctrine,—que le comité France-Amérique s’est fondé à Paris,
et qu’il est venu devant vous pour travailler au développement des
bonnes relations si heureusement existantes entre les deux pays.
Dans tous les ordres de manifestations cordiales, on nous trouve
et on nous trouvera. C’est là notre rôle et nous le revendiquons
hautement.
Relations économiques, relations intellectuelles, relations
sociales, relations artistiques, dans tous ces ordres d’idées, nous
travaillons dans le même sens et c’est à cette initiative de notre
part que nous vous prions de répondre par des sentiments et des
actes analogues. Nous sommes venus vers vous; venez vers nous à
votre tour.
On dit, de la pensée américaine, qu’elle se formule en termes
d’action “to think in terms of action.” Eh bien! nous, nous avons
formulé notre sentiment en termes d’action, en venant vingt bons
compagnons j’ose le dire, appartenant aux diverses activités
françaises, vous apporter pour une grande commémoration, une chose
éminemment française, une _oeuvre d’art_.
Nous avons mûrement réfléchi avant de prendre ce parti et nous
vous prions d’y réfléchir à votre tour. Nous n’avons aucun titre
officiel; nous sommes de simples particuliers, mais nous nous
sommes choisis (si vous me permettez cette expression ambitieuse)
dans le désir de ne pas être trop indignes de vous et de votre
confiance.
Il y eut un temps où pour la découverte des pays transatlantiques,
les premiers pionniers sont partis volontairement de nos rivages:
Champlain fut le plus glorieux parmi ces Français: ceux-là étaient
_les volontaires de la foi et de l’espérance_. Il fut un temps
où d’autres volontaires partirent pour servir une cause juste et
légitime: ceux-là furent _les volontaires de la Liberté et de
l’Indépendance_. Les temps sont changés; les grandes oeuvres sont
accomplies. Cependant, nous aussi nous venons spontanément, pour
maintenir, du moins, ce qu’ont fait nos aïeux, et nous sommes _les
volontaires de l’Amitié_.
Comment cette amitié qui est un sentiment et qui est la fleur
de l’âme s’exprimerait-elle mieux que par une oeuvre d’art,
c’est-à-dire la fleur du goût et du génie humain?
L’art, en effet, est l’essence du travail des siècles et ses
oeuvres seules survivent aux siècles. Une civilisation achevée
s’exprime par l’art: l’art résume toujours ce que l’humanité sent
et pense.
Par quoi connaît-on la grandeur de l’âme artistique, sinon par les
monuments artistiques, l’Egypte, la Grèce, Rome, le Moyen-Age nous
ont transmis leur pensée par cette langue universelle et immortelle
qui s’appelle l’art. Ce que l’humanité veut faire connaître
d’elle-même à l’avenir, elle le confie à l’art.
Et c’est pourquoi, comme un symbole de l’amitié franco-américaine,
nous avons choisi une belle oeuvre d’art due à notre grand
sculpteur Rodin.
A bord d’un bâtiment nouveau et qui s’appelle “La France,” une
délégation française est venue pour vous remercier de célébrer un
Français.
Par la pensée, par le commerce, par le goût du grand, du beau, du
juste, par une foi identique dans la paix entre les hommes, les
deux grandes démocraties que l’Océan seul sépare, sont faites pour
s’aimer, se comprendre et s’unir.
Nous demandons aux Chambres de Commerce américaines de seconder
l’oeuvre d’union que nous avons enterprise.
Merci aux Chambres de Commerce américaines. A tout jamais
prospérité, grandeur, bonheur et gloire, à la grande République des
États-Unis d’Amérique! (Loud applause.)
President Hepburn introduced the next speaker as follows: There are
few homes in this country in which the benign face of Washington
does not look down upon the family activities. Serious contemplation
of the face of Washington must soon bring into perspective the face
of that great Frenchman with whom he was so closely associated,
whom he so highly esteemed, Lafayette. We are fortunate in having
with us to-day a direct descendant of the great Lafayette, his
great-great-grandson. He is upon this delegation as the personal
representative of the Premier of the present government of France. I
take great pleasure in presenting Count de Chambrun.
Count de Chambrun spoke in English.
ADDRESS OF COUNT DE CHAMBRUN
_Mr. President and Gentlemen_: The very character of the present
solemnities which have brought this delegation to America awakens
with us in France a peculiar feeling of sympathy and grateful
retrospection. Our intellectual world, our literary men—all who are
versed in historical research and who cherish the great memories
of the past—look back with love and pride upon the one time humble
heroes whose venturous spirit and whose wonderful foresight made of
their own mother country the glorious promoter of civilization.
Indeed, the ties uniting France and America have always been
popular with us, and our public men have ever justly prized their
great and valuable importance; but, in the present instance, the
Prime Minister of the French Republic has desired to be personally
represented. He, also, a patriot and a man of letters, cannot
refrain from emotion when he recalls that page of our common
history, when a countryman of ours with scanty means, but with
vast courage and genius opened new lands and new prospects to the
achievements of humanity.
And this is why M. Raymond Poincaré wishes that his own tribute
should not be lacking where honors are bestowed upon our brave
Champlain; it is my good fortune, gentlemen, to be the bearer of
this heartfelt tribute in memory of the early traveller now famous
among our great explorers.
Curiously enough, at different stages, it has been the destiny
of Frenchmen to play on this proud continent a decisive part in
the interest of the world’s progress. Whether as pioneers in the
northern and western dominions, at a remote period when these lands
were yet unknown, or later on, in time of need, when the United
States sought freedom and independence, was it not Frenchmen who
came again with helping swords in a new American cause, where, as
volunteers and soldiers, their hearts became enlisted.
But on the other hand, we citizens of France do not forget that it
was upon your virgin soil that free institutions were first sown of
which we in turn were able to fully harvest.
The declaration of the American Independence preceded the
declaration of the Rights of Man, and Republican Government in
America preceded the establishment of Free Government in France.
Mutual action at decisive moments, as we see, has blended together
the histories of France and of the United States with ever
beneficial effect, leaving to-day in the hearts of both nations
an unparalleled feeling of esteem and constantly well-wishing
affection. (Great applause.)
President Hepburn said: “Only a few years ago we wanted the world,
but now we want the air above it. We have with us to-day one of the
pioneers in navigation of the air, the man who first crossed the
English channel in a heavier than air machine. I present to you M.
Louis Blériot.” M. Blériot said:
He had been carried away on the wings of the eloquence to heights
where it was imprudent for an aviator to risk himself, and he
would express simply, but with profound sincerity in behalf of
French industry the great admiration which they, the workmen of old
Europe, had for the great and daring efforts of America to conquer
the air. That work brought men together, and united especially the
citizens of America and France, already brothers by ancient bonds.
Thanks to science and industry, distances were diminishing. They
admired Edison and did not forget Fulton, as they recollected all
those who had contributed by their invention or their initiative to
widen the field of the activity of humanity. He looked forward to
the time when the birds of France and the birds of America would
settle on each others’ shores. (Applause.)
Addresses were also made in French by M. Louis Barthou, formerly a
member of the French Cabinet, and others. They were enthusiastically
received. At the luncheon which followed the meeting a toast was
given in honor of the President of France which was responded to by
M. Hanotaux, after which Baron D’Estournelles de Constant made an
eloquent address. Since their return to France and the election of M.
Raymond Poincaré to the Presidency of that Republic, M. Louis Barthou
has been made President of the Council of Ministers. It is very
gratifying to the many friends in America of M. Barthou that he has
been so signally honored by the French nation.
[Illustration: Ferry Transporting Commissioners and French Delegation
between Port Henry and Crown Point Memorial, May 3, 1912]
VI. FRENCH VISITORS AND CHAMPLAIN COMMISSIONERS ENTERTAINED AT
TICONDEROGA, LATER INSPECT CHAMPLAIN MEMORIAL LIGHTHOUSE AT CROWN
POINT, WHERE THEY FORMALLY PLACE THE BUST “LA FRANCE” AND THEN
JOURNEY TO PLATTSBURGH. REPORT TO PARIS
The members of the New York and Vermont Lake Champlain Commissions
accompanied by His Excellency, M. Jusserand, the French Ambassador,
Governor Mead of Vermont and the members of the French delegation
left New York on the night train, May 2d, in special cars, which
were detached from the train the next morning at Fort Ticonderoga
station. The French visitors were entertained at breakfast by Mr. and
Mrs. Stephen H. P. Pell at “The Pavilion,” their summer home, while
the members of the Joint Commissions were entertained at breakfast
by Commissioner Howland Pell in the Block House, rebuilt by him in
the Germain Redoubt overlooking the Lake. Several hours were spent
in looking over the ruins, fortifications and restorations, the
details of which were explained by Mr. and Mrs. Stephen H. P. Pell,
who own Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Independence. The visitors were
greatly interested in all they saw, and especially the French lines,
the scene of Montcalm’s victory in 1758 and the place where the
battle occurred. The ancient flag of France with the Fleur-de-lis
was displayed together with the Tri-color and each was saluted with
formality.
Members of the delegation and Ambassador Jusserand called on
Commissioner Pell at the Block House in the Germain Redoubt, where
light refreshments were served.
General Lebon and other members of the delegation were quick to see
the strategic importance of Ticonderoga as a military fortification
to command the passage of vessels up and down the lake as well as
the passage of troops through the valley. In their judgment France
made no mistake in taking possession of Ticonderoga and taking her
stand there and at Crown Point in her efforts to control this entire
territory. The history of the struggle has been graphically described
by Parkman and others and the thrilling events, culminating in and
about this “Gateway of the Country,” have been given realistic
settings by Ira Allen, Hon. Lucius E. Chittenden, Rev. Joseph Cook,
Dr. Hamilton W. Mabie, Percy MacKaye and others. These were well
known to most of the visiting savants, who were profoundly impressed
with Ticonderoga and the overtowering Mount Defiance on the southwest
and the commanding position of Mount Independence across the narrow
lake on the southeast. All these were occupied by military forces at
times during the struggle for the control of the territory.
The Commissioners and visitors left on a special train at 11.30
A. M. for Port Henry, where they were met by Commissioner
Walter C. Witherbee, Hon. Frank S. Witherbee, Lieut.-Gov. Thomas F.
Conway and others. While going from Ticonderoga to Port Henry, lunch
was served on the train, so that upon their arrival at Port Henry,
while they were being escorted to the steamer, the Witherbee band
played the Marseillaise, and to the delight of the French guests, it
also played the airs of several French folk songs familiar to the
visitors and known to their grandparents. They proceeded directly to
Crown Point Forts. This was their first experience on Lake Champlain,
their first view of the memorial in the process of construction. It
was far enough along, however, to reveal its stateliness and artistic
design. The impression it made on M. Fernand Cormon, President of the
French Academy, and on M. René Bazin, M. Étienne Lamy, M. Gabriel
Hanotaux and other members of the French Academy may be drawn from
the remarks of M. Hanotaux and others. Suffice it to say here that
the visitors were pleased with the artistic memorial lighthouse,
which, in addition to its utilitarian uses, is designed to symbolize
the illumination of the light of civilization first shed in the
valley by Champlain and his followers. After inspecting the memorial
they suggested the permanent location for the bust “La France,” which
had been temporarily placed in position and was inspected by the
people from all parts of the Champlain valley. The bust was draped
with the flags of the United States and the Tri-color of France and
from all parts of the memorial lighthouse floated pennants and the
Stars and Stripes in profusion.
[Illustration: Ambassador Jusserand and French Delegation
disembarking at Crown Point Memorial, May 3, 1912]
[Illustration: Commissioners and French Delegation at Crown Point
Memorial, May 3, 1912
By courtesy of the Troy Times]
Chairman H. Wallace Knapp presided at the formal exercises and in his
opening address said:
_Gentlemen_: The course of the Tercentenary observations has
received an interruption by a voice from across the sea. It is a
friendly voice. It is a voice that is heard wherever men struggle
to be free or seek to advance their welfare. It is the voice of
France that spoke to us in the dark days of our early history, and
bade us be of good cheer.
All through the critical periods of our history the French people
and their Government have been our friends. They join us to-day in
memorializing our past. They have the right to do so, for France
and America have suffered and triumphed together for the same high
cause and the memory of our debt to this liberty-loving people can
never be forgotten. It is fitting that they place the Memorial
Tablet here. It expresses to us love and friendship and they may be
assured that we will guard it with proud and zealous care.
I now take great pleasure in introducing to you the acting Governor,
Lieutenant-Governor Conway.
Lieut.-Gov. Thomas F. Conway in the course of his address of welcome
said:
_Gentlemen_: I had the pleasure on Wednesday evening of extending
to you on the part of the State of New York the appreciation of its
citizens at your coming to our shores, but it is a double pleasure
to welcome you to Lake Champlain, rich in French history and the
pride of every one who may rightfully claim the Champlain valley as
his birthplace. We believe that you will find this one of the most
charming lakes you have ever visited and we trust that you will
appreciate its beauties as do its inhabitants and its many visitors.
Chairman Knapp then introduced Gov. John A. Mead of Vermont.
Governor Mead in welcoming the visitors said:
The people of the Green Mountain State join with the people of
the Empire State in welcoming the members of the distinguished
delegation from France who have come to bring the seal of the
Mother-Country to the memorial of one of her most distinguished
sons. The Vermont Commission in order to do honor to that
distinguished son, Samuel Champlain, united with the New York
Commission in erecting this stately joint memorial to commemorate
his memory, which is revered by the people of both states. We count
it the greatest privilege that can fall to the lot of any man to
be born along the shores of this beautiful lake, which Champlain
considered worthy to bear his name.
Chairman Knapp then presented the French delegation, saying: Many
Commissions have come from France to us, but all of France has never
been so well represented as it is by our guests to-day. They bring in
their hands the gift that has been contributed by all the classes of
all the French people.
I have the pleasure of introducing to you the Chairman of the
Delegation, M. Gabriel Hanotaux.
ADDRESS OF ALBERT AUGUSTE GABRIEL HANOTAUX
The states of Vermont and New York raise this monument,
torch-bearer to the glory of the first Europeans who saw their
territories and who foresaw their future prosperity. A French
delegation has come to thank the constructors of this magnificent
monument and to seal upon its base, as a sign of gratitude, an
image of France.
This work of one of our greatest sculptors, Rodin, is of modest
size, but it certainly expresses well what we have wished to say;
it will bear testimony among you of the quality of French taste;
it will depict to you France, such as we Frenchmen conceive it,
such as we love it. See this countenance, smiling and at the same
time grave, these delicate and pure features, these full cheeks
indicating health, this firm look expressing resolution and
sincerity. It is France as she wishes to be and as she is.
[Illustration: French Delegation and Commissioners at Crown Point
Memorial, May 3, 1912]
The France of the Crusades, the France of Joan of Arc, of Louis XIV
and of Napoleon, of the Revolution, the France of the Richelieus
and of the Champlains, that France cannot forget those who have
worked and suffered for her, she gathers together their memory, she
thanks those who remember. To the friendships and smiles that
are offered her, she replies by a smile and a sincere and faithful
friendship.
To mention only the most recent events: In 1910, a statue of
the great Washington was offered to Versailles by the State of
Virginia; in December, the Surrender of Yorktown, by J. P. Laurens,
was solemnly inaugurated in the Court House of Baltimore. In 1911,
commemorative monuments were erected at Savannah, at Annapolis, at
Mobile. Everywhere we find memorable proofs of American sympathy.
How could we do otherwise than respond?
And it is for this reason, these acts and so many similar ones
having been noted through the vigilance of the Ambassador of France
at Washington, that the Committee of France-America, encouraged
by the French Government, took the initiative of a subscription
in order to bring to the lighthouse of Champlain a souvenir of
French gratitude. The subscription includes, in the first rank,
the President of the French Republic, Mr. Fallières; the President
of the Council of Ministers, Raymond Poincaré, the Ambassador of
France at Washington, Mr. Jusserand, the majority of the French
ministers and a great number of our fellow-countrymen, anxious to
express their gratitude and their sympathy to the American Republic.
The delegation here present bears no official character, but Mr.
Jusserand accompanies it as the representative of the French
Government and the Count de Chambrun appears in it as the
representative of the President of the Council. The greatest French
institutions also have their representatives therein; The Institut
de France, the Parliament, the French army, the State Council, the
University, Industry, Commerce, the Press; finally, the descendants
of three of the families that have, from the very beginning, shown
their sympathy for the Franco-American cause.