Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-22
PILGRIM FATHERS
The Society Of Mayaower Descendants
Gives a Dinner.
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS PRESENT
Addresses by Secretary Long, Mr.
H. Clay Evans and Others.
READING OF COMPA CT


the District of Columbia celebrated with
dinner and speechmaking. at the Raleigh
Hotel last night. the arrival of the pilgrim
fathers upon these shores $50 years ago,
and the signing of the compact in the cabin
of the Mayf1ower by which the pioneers
formed themselves into a body polite.
This was the first dinner of the District
of Columbia society. but it is the intention
Of the members to continue the custom,
giving a dinner once year. The members
and their guests to the number of fifty
ga altered about long table in the banquet
hall of the Raleigh, beautifully decorat ted
TO-. the occasion. The national colors We're
draped over the entrance. and palms and
chrysanthemums filed the corners and
mantelpieces The table was decorated with
autumn leaves and chrysanthemums, with
carnations at each plate.
When the guests We're assembled and
while they stood before their chairs. the
Rev. Dr. John l.. Ewell gave thanks in
memory of the pilgrims, whose efforts, he
said. laid the foundation of the blessings
that all now enjoy.
Mr.. Hopkins Reads Compact.
At the conclusion of the dinner. Mr.. Will
liam l.. Marsh, governor of the District of
Columbia society, called upon Mr.. Thomas
Smell Hopkins to read tie compact which
formed the frontispiece of the artistic
menu. Mr.. Hopkins read the historic docu-
ment. which was as follows:
Compact signed in the cabin of the May
flower:
In ye name of God, Amen.-We whose
names are under-written, the loyal subjects
OF our dread soveraigne Lord King James,
by We grace of God of Great Britaine,
France u Ireland King, Defender of the
Faith, &c.
"Haveing undertaken for ye glorie of
God and advancemente of ye Christian
faith. and honour of our King & Countrie,
voyage to plant ye first colonie in We
northerne parts of Virginia, doe by these
presents solemnly & mutually in We pres
ence of God and one of another. covenant
& combine our selves togeather into civil
body politick. for our better ordering and
preservation, and furthearance of ye ends
aforesaid; and by vertue hearof to enacte,
constitute and frame such just & equal
laweS. ordinances, acts, constitutions a. Of
fees from time to time, as shall be thought
most meete & convenient for We general
good of ye Colonia; unto which We promise
all due submission and obedience.
I'm witness whereof we have hereunder
subscribed our names at Cape Codd We IL
of November. in ye year of ye raigne of our
Soveraigne Lord King James of England.
France & ireland we eighteenth, and of
Scotland We fifty-fourth, Ano Dom. 162p."
Secretary Longs Address.
Mr. Marsh then introduced Secretary Long
OF the Navy Department, as a distinguished
son Of Massachusetts and competent to
share in the ceremonies of the Mayflower
descendants. Mr. Long said that when he
was invited to the dinner he regretted that
he was not a descendant of a Mayfiower
passenger, but he supposed that the little
omission would probably be overlooked. He
knew he was a descendant of Thomas
Clark, who came over in the Ann in 1923.
but that did not make him full-blown
Mayfower. The next day after receiving
the invitation. however, he was very much
pleased to be waited upon by a member of
the society, VINO informed him that re-
search had disclosed that he. Mr.. Long was
Greet descendant of Richard Warren a
MaytOWer pioneer
Mr.. Long, continuing his address said we
90 well to institute societies of this order
There is an element in the human makeup
which seeks distinction, and if we cannot
obtain it in ourselves, to trace back for it in
our ancestors. Sometimes people are more
proud of ancient lineage than Of the char
acter of their ancestors. In the case the
ancestry celebrated by this dinner and cere-
nlony was a chosen people as surely as the
children of Israel There is no descent so
glorious, 20 royal line so rich, no ancestry
grander than were those who came in the
Mayfower.
Mr.. Long added that the expedition was
not merely the mission of few religious
ascetics. 1t was great commercial move
ment, also, in large respect a mercantile
venture started with a purpose of pecu-
mary return. Our ancestors having been in
Holland for several years were disconnected
with their surroundings. They could not
give their children the benefit of English
education, but realized that they We're being
submerged in the Dutch citizenship SO
they decided to come to these shores. where
they could find freedom and individuality.
and the training sought for them.
The Commercial Feature,
IT RI he
arrangements were made with London mer-
chants for the dispatching of the expedi-
ton as a commercial venture for which a
return was expected. The pilgrims took the
institutions of their lives up by the roots
and established them here. They are spoken
of as exposed to hardships and attacks from
the Indians. For the most part thew lived
in friendly relations with the Indians, and
when Governor Bradford was buried the
legend tells, two Indians were inferred al
his feet. in token of amity. The pilgrims
are spoken of as singing hymns not the.
nasal, long-drawn hymns of despair, but
songs of cheer We speak of the dreary
coast, but it is the same coast we know to-
Gay. beautiful one. There was romance
too, In their lives, as well-known narratives
relate. We think Of them as leading mar
row lives. but we forget that Edward Wins
low four times crossed the ocean and en-
gagged In large enterprises. They are spoken
OF as ascetic religionists. but they were
more liberal than those of the Boston set
tlement and of further New England Even
IN literature they were not deficient. They
LED large and generous life and laid the
bIoadest foundation of constitutional pro-
vision and enactment.
do not wonder" the speaker said that
you deem 1t worthy tribute to pay these
ancestors, nor that you are proud Of them
Ihink OF that little seed almost perishlng
In that first winter, yet increasing spread
ing into every state until now its product is
the best element in the greatest republic
in the world. If you would behold their
monument translate the Latin phrase Look
about YOU Their work is this republic"
RecrOssinE the Ocean.
Mr. Long said that now that same germ
Is crossing the ocean again, not in the form
of the little group of passengers in the May
flower, but in the shape Of the mighty in
situations Of this republic, crossing the wa
ter and planting the institutions of America
upon the islands of the sea.
Our purpose Is, he said, first to better the
condition of those people, and. second, to
further our own growth. The sentiment
was expressed by the pilgrims I'VE are
acting for the honor of God, for the Chris
tan faith. for the honor of our king and
country
Wherever we turn we find evidences of
the work of our pilgrim fathers. Think OF