The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1920-06-24

While it is to be hoped that every good Amer
lean knows the words plymouth Rock, ana
Landing of the Pilgrims" and what they should
mean to all Americans, it is quite likely chat
many do not know just where Provincetown comes
in Very briefly the story is this:
The MayfiOwer sailed from Plymouth, England.
September s, 1920, for Virginia. 1t was driven
north by storms. It then made an attempt to
reach the mouth of the Hudson river (New York;.
This failed and the MayfOwer finally sought shell
ter inside of Cape Cod. that gigantic sand spit
that extends like the blade of a sickle from the
Massachusetts coast unto the Atlantic. Here, in
Cape Cod harbor, November II, 1920 Gold Style)
which is November 81, according to the
style-the Pilgrims, in the cabin of the MayfOwer
drew up and signed the famous "AIayiower Com
pact" And On this date they first set foot on
American soil.
This landing was at Provincetown, which
cupies the extreme end OF Cape Cod. The
OrdS of the Pilgrims show that they put in the
time until December 81 exploring the country, the
Mayfower remaining at anchor. Finally, De-
cember 81, ten men in the MayfOwer's small boat
landed Plymouth Rock. They returned and re-
ported that they had found place suitable for
permanent home On about December &c the
MayfOwer arrived off Plymouth and the landing
was made.
Restoration of the Plymouth shore about PIyn,-
Outh Rock to its original appearance at the time
when the Pilgrims landed in 1920 has been de-
cided upon Wharves fish houses, sheds and 9th
structures disigure the present shore line. The
contemplated change will embrace all the water
front from Town brook the south to Brewster
street the north.
This rediscovered shore will be established by
filling in and creating a new rocky shore line.
The base of the rock still rests upon the sea
level. at high water mark, and will so remain but
its smaller part split off in 1874 and several times
transported about the town before being placed
under che present canopy will be lowered upon
the base from which it separated, and the
parts united.
The early graves of the Pilgrims, who died
the first winter. and whose bones lying
under much-traveled street, will be preserved by
the removal Of two or three houses and the chang
ing of the line of the street. The spot will be
marked by suitable memorial.
The senate passed the resolution practically
without debate. In the house there was debate
for an hour Much of what was said adds neither
to the knowledge nor happiness of the American
people There were, however, some things said
that worth reproduction. For example, Mr..
GaIlivan read into the record the following ex-
cerpt from the report of Mr.. Lace of Massachu-
sets in presenting the resolution characterizfng
it as a Classic:
This resolution cOntempIates that the nation
shall play a fitting part in the commemOration
of epochmaking voyage.
Three hundred years ago small company Of
devOut men and women, upheld by conscience and
inspired by faith. brayed the dangers of the
order that in new world they might found
Christian commonwealth
''They landed first at the end of Cape Cod
where now is PrOvincetoWn. There In the cabin
of the MayfOwer they signed compact that has
taken its place among the momentous documents
of history for then Englishmen first joined By
mutual covenant to form civil body polite. Be
this the germ of the idea that to
grow into the Constitution OF the United States
every American owes gratitude to its authors AMI
should honor the spot where it conceived.
81 The landing OF the Pilgrims symbOlizes
of the worlds great adventures. The hardships
of the voyage, the periIs of the wilderness. the
ravages Of that dreadful winter-these are but
circumstances that frame the picture. Acting
for the nation, concern today with the solemn
story is that it rivets the Imagination the
bIest phases Of human nature-lofty purpose
dauntless courage, steadfast endurance, pious en-
thusiasnl, holy faith
ITO commemorate and glOrify these virtues
out of which sprang the most precious institutions
Of America, is only to inspire people with
fresh gratitude for their heritage, but also to