172 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



The disorganized band, with their means of escape secure, began 

 to plan to scatter for the fall hunt. The chiefs could not control 

 their men nor could any be induced to escort Champlain to Quebec. 

 The glory of the hero with a charmed life, with armor and with 

 " thunder poles " was gone. No longer did his magic inspire the 

 Huron. Failing to induce an escort, Champlain was placed in a 

 perplexing position, but Durontal, a Huron chief, came to the relief 

 by offering the shelter of his well-stocked cabin, which Champlain 

 accepted. 



The war party scattered and the magnitude of the star of hope 

 in luster diminished. Instead of the beginning of the downfall of 

 the Iroquois, this fight was the beginning of their domination. Year 

 by year they were to increase in military power and in influence. 

 Champlain's attempts to crush them not only failed but began the 

 irritation that finally led to the burning of every French settlement 

 from Mackinac to the mouth of the St Lawrence. Eventually the 

 Iroquois, as allies of the English, broke the power of the French, 

 destroyed the dreams of a new France, cut off the scattered detach- 

 ments of the French and by their vigor saved this region for settle- 

 ment by an English-speaking people. 



And the Oneidas? Faithful always to the defense of a righteous 

 cause, they not only fought the French but when England had 

 extended her sovereignty over the colonies they perceived her injust- 

 ness and united with the patriot fathers in the Revolution as loyal 

 Americans. In the war of 1812 nearly every able-bodied Oneida 

 fought, and so inflamed by patriotism were they that more than 

 20 Oneida women shouldered muskets and fought Britishers along 

 the Niagara frontier. These men and women, let us remember, 

 were descendants of the very people who 200 years before had 

 defended their stockaded town at Nichols pond. 



At Nichols pond we behold the spot from which history grew; 

 here we see one of the famous Oneida stones, here we behold where 

 Champlain stood dreaming of the glory of France and here before 

 us is the spot where a blaze was kindled that became a light in the 

 heart shrine of every Oneida. This flame kindled the resolve that 

 right, justice and patriotism should triumph. Here we learn a 

 lesson of how these things did triumph because a people were pre- 

 pared by force of arms to resist unjust invasion. 



When we learn of the success of the Oneidas today, in New York 

 and Ontario, and especially in Wisconsin, where all are citizens and 

 mostly brilliant, capable men and women, when we learn of their 



