Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-08-21
PILGRIMS MONUMENT.
CONTINUED from Page One.)

imposing structures along the Atlantic
coast, concentrating as it will the
first landing, within a few feet of its
base, of the Pilgrim Fathers on Amer
lean soil.
Realizing that the monument had the
financial approval of both state and
nation. every energy was bent to make
the exercises as interesting as those
which attended similar occasions-not-
ably the Standish monument across the
bay at DuXbury and that still older
structure on Bunker Hill. The town it
self gave literally and the citizens
Joined cordially in the entertainment OF
the distinguished guests and the dec
orations of the little fishing hamlet, so
that when the sun rose bright anu
clear this morning over the highlahus
Of the Cape, it lighted up village re,
splendent with bunting and cro"oeu
with holiday throng.
At anchor in the harbor lay the OASIS
OF Proyincetown's wealth, some 4O sail
of fishermen and a little farther OUT
eight formidable battleships ana the
tenders OF the fishermen swung at an
cbor while scattered between the two
fleets was a bevy of yachts, trimmed
from ucck 10 lTuCh Win 50
nal flags.
But the object Of every ones gaze
was Town hill, on top OF Whlch hdu
been erected wooden amphltnedtei'
its seats rising above the cement pase
Of the monument. On the northeast
corner Of the foundation rested the cor
rerstone. a four-foot mass OF QUINCY
granite. ready for the hand or the ina-
son TO the right of the cornerstone
was a covered platform for presiding
officers. guests and speakers.
All of the prominent persons invited
to participate liz today's exercises ar
rived last night with the exception OF
President Roosevelt. His coming was
expected at II O'Clock, but seVera.
hours tefore that time the white nun
Of the Mayflower, on which ne mace
the trim from Oyster Bay, was sighted
slowly rounding the end of the cape
It was $50 o'clock when the May
flower, with President Roosevelt on
hoard. steamed slowly into the harD"f-
When her bow appeared SLOWLY from
behind the headland. salute OF wei
come hoomcd forth from the guns on
hoard of the yachts at anchor IN the
harbnr.
II WAS not until the MayhoWcr PASS
cd by the line of battleships and other
craft that she returned the salute. but
when her guns finally bclched forth the
old town shook and everyone knew
that President Roosevelt had arrived.
AZ tn, last gun was fired the anchor
was nut overheard and in few min
utes the Presidents party were on
shore.
Previous to leaving the MayfloWcr
the President had received the COM
manders of all the warships. together
with a committee of the toWnsf"ik'
who came to bid him welcome and it
was planned sometime during the day
TO have the captains of the old cape
Cod fishing vessels shake the hahu Oh
their President.
A large crowd had gathered on the
wharf and cheer after cheer WIS gwen
az the President sprang lightly mt" Il
carriage that stood in waiting To con-
yey hi INTO Town hill.
As the carriage door closed behlno
him. Il bard stationed at the head OF
the wharf struck up lively march. IL
was 4 royal welcome that Presiueht
Roosevelt received as his carriage
PASSED through the long line OF special
tors which crowded the narrow thor
ouchfarrs on the way to the monu-
mont. 1t was nearly II o'clock when
the President arrived at the hill.
Rev. DR.. Samuel A. Eliot of Boston,
president of the American Unitarian
Association, opened the exercises WIFI
q prIver and then the Masonic cereiho-
ries of laying the cornerstone We're De
gun. This ceremony, which was very
impressive, was conducted by j. Al
bert Blake. grandw master OF Mass'-
chusetts. An address by Past GRAND
Warden of Massachusetts William II
Lawrence followed.
A special train and two big excursion
steamers had brought a crowd of near
" 10000 people to ProvincetoWn.
Eo,lowiny the Masonic ceremonies
Gov. Guild was introduced by j. Henry
scars president of the Pilgrim society
rnder whose auspices the memorial i
~ no erected. Governor Guild spnk'
briefly in historic veing and cloSct
with these words, in introduction Il
President Roosevelt:
Massachusetts joycusly welcomes
She cannot introduce because Sh" needs
not at present: President of the Unit
ed States
The words were the signal for r"al
or applause and cheers from the multi
tudc. which numbered thousands ano
which completely covered the crest oI
the hill. Again and again it broke fortl
as the President arose and stood wait
ing for n chance to be heard. When tho
opporturity came at length l'residen
spoke as follows:
1t is not too much to say that th'
event commemorated by the monu'
ment which we have come here t
dedicate was one of those rare events
which can in good faith be called %
world Importance. The coming hith'
er of the Puritan three centuries ag'
shaped the destines Of this continent
and therefore profoundly affected the
destiny of the whole world. Men OF
other races. the Frenchman and the
Spaniard. the Dutchman. the German
the Scotchman. and the Swede. made
settlements within what is now thu
United States. during the colOnia
period of our history and before the
Declaration of Independence; and since