Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1914-12-22
ANNIVERSARY OF
LANDING OF PILGRIMS.

Today 294 years ago one OF the
most important events in the MS
tory of the world took place, the
landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth
Rock. Whether the early settlers IN
Virginia would have been able TO
maintain the settlement of America
already begun by them is mooted
question at any rate no other little
boat load of people ever accomplish
ed more or added more to the MS
tory of civilization.
The story of the Mayfower grows
larger and larger with the recedng
wears. The world is realizing more
ard more the power of the non con-
formist conscience in shaping the
dastinies of great Republic. Repub
lies rest upon the integrity and
strength of the individual and no
force has yet been discovered OF
more value in the upbuilding OF
character than the belief in a Cod.
The free thinker may call religion
superstition the utilitarian in morals
NAV call it sentiment, but by what
ever name you may designate IT.,
there remains the solid facts of his
tory, which after all is only the re-
cord events in the lives Of indivldu-
ais, prove that no other power has
added as much to the peace and Sc
curity of the world or its happiness.
Overturn any one of the great bodies
of religious thought, 1t does not
matter how outgrown its principles
NAV seem to be, and inevitably the
police power would have to be in
creased a hundred fold in any Sec
ton where the followers Of this re-
igion resided.
Like many other historic events,
there was much of the element OF
chance in the landing Oh the Pill
grims at Plymouth. When persecut-
ed in England, they fled to Holland
and there at Legion lived for III
years and increased to thousand
persons.
But in spite of the friendly attitude
OF the Dutch, Holland was not an
ideal atmosphere for the cultivation
of the principles which they consi-
dered fundamental. 1t was too near
>he centres of princely power 10
rive assurance Of long freedom from
Interference and the constant uncon-
sclous influence of the institutions
initiated against the rapid increase
of adherents. And so their hearts
turned to the New World with all It's
enlless possibilities. Holland being
maritime country they had learn
ed much of the conditions OF other
parts of the world and there
vas much discussion as to what
mart of the country they should I'M
igrate.
MANY favored Guiana, "whoSe rich
feet were mines of gold and whose
forehead knocked against the roof OF
the stars. to quote an old descrip-
ton of that country. Others desired
60 come to Virginia where the!
.rould be among heir own people
After a tedious journey with man!
.hrils, rivalling the tabled journeys
Of the Argonauts, except the perilS
that the Pilgrims passed through
were real they landed on Dec. =
1920 on Virginia soil. which turne'
ont to be Massachusetts.
1t would have been impossible u
have pictured a drearier Christmas
than the Pilgrims were forced to
spend but their sorrows endured pu
= short time for when May came
and the Mayhower returned home
rot one of them went with her.. 81
much for the sticking qualities OF oul
New England forefathers, who's
strain Of stalwart morality rock
ribbed By puritanism. mlng!ing VIII
The blood Of the Cavaliers, and gen
race Of new people whom we cal
tlemen adventurous has founded
Americans.