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: