Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-10-07
THE PILGRIM FATHERS.
Tribute to Their Great Work is
Founding the Republic.

TWO hundred and ninety-three years
ago-September 6. 1620-the Pilgrim Faith
ers, with their wives and children, set
sail in the Maynower for their home-to-
be in the wilds of America All told,
there We're 100 of them, a small company.
but company upon the fortunes of
which great issues depended.
In the apt words of one of their de-
scendants, the late John Fiske, they
trusted to preserve their English speech
and English traditions. Keep up their
organization, and find some favored spot
where they might lay the cornerstone Of
a great Christian state. The spirit of
nationality was strong in them the spirit
OF self-gavernmeut was strong in them.
ana the only thing that could satisfy
them was such Il migration as had not
been seen since ancient times.
Before landing upon the shore Of the
New World, they signed the wel-known
"Mayflower Compact" I'm the name of
God. Amen We, whose names are un-
derwritten &c, &c, do, by these pres
ents, solemnly and mutually. in the pres
ence of God and one another, covenant
and combine ourselves together into a
ing and preservation. Re, &c. unto
which we promise all due submission
and obedience
The progress Of the little colony was
painfully slow. Al the end of 10 years
they numbered only 800 souls. But the
best blood on earth was ia their veins
the red blood Of eonfage-anl they stood
manfuly bv their guns through the
blacklist of the gloom. said their leader:
ut is not with us as with men whom
small things can diShearten." And in
the midst of their trial there came to
them from their brethren at home these
encouraging words: Let ii not he grieV-
oHs with You that Vol have been instru-
mental in breaking the ice for others
The honor shall be Yours to the worlds
end
Noble company Of Pilgrims. grandly
cid You do Your work There is no blood
upon oyur hands, no charge OF persecu-
ton written against you. Meekly and
yet nightly you laid the foundation Of
the great republic ta=be. In that repub-
lie today more than third OF the peo-
pie are your descendants. and those de-
seendants still shape tie laws and poll
cies Of the nation More than that, the
language of the Pilgrims is the master
tongue Of the world. and the principles
Of the Pilgrims dominate the thinking of
humanity. The Constitution of the
United States and the laws made i'll
pursuance thereof. aud the American
free public school. are the mightiest in
teliectual and moral forces that are at
work among men today, and they are
all the direct results of the Pilgrim pro-
grfam, the natural lowering of the PHI
grim thought and purpose
In the light Of this fact tfor who is 50
stupid as to deny that il is facD it
seems strange that certain American,
So called, should pass resolutions pro-
testing against the singing of America. :"
and declaring that the sentiment about
the pilgrims pride is disgusting" to
them, There is a way out Of the diff
Guilty, however. for those Disguised
Americans If hey don't like this
country let them get out of it-and let
those who do Ike II stay to help sing
America" with fun and grateful hearts.
New York American.