The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-06-17

While ii is to be hoped that every good Amer
lean knows the words plymouth Rock" and
Landing of the Pilgrims" and what they should
mean to all Americans it is quite likely that
many do not know just where Provncetown comes
In. Very briefly the story is this:
The Mayfower sailed from Plymouth, England,
September g. 1920, for Virginia. 1t was driven
north by storms. 1t then made 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 sickle from the
Massachusetts coast unto the Atlantic. Here in
Cape Cod harbor November IL, 1920, Gold style)
which els November q, according to the
style-the Pilgrims, in the cabin of the MayhOwer
drew up and signed the famous "Mayfower Com
pact" And On this date they first set foot on
American soil.
This landing was at Provincetown, which oc-
cupies the extreme end of Cape Cod. The rec
ords Of the Pilgrims show that they put in the
time until December p exploring the country, the
May1ower remaining at anchor. Finally, De-
cember p, ten men In the Mayfower's small boat
landed on Plymouth Rock. They returned and re-
ported that they had found place suitable for
permanent home. On about December 20 the
Mayiower arrived off Plymouth and the landing
was made.
Restoration Of the Plymouth shore about Plym-
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
er structures dsfgure the present shore line. The
contemplated change will embrace all the water
front from Town brook the south to Brewster
street on the north.
This rediscOvered shore will be established by
filing in and creating new rocky shore line.
The base Of the rock still rests upon the sea
level, at high water mark and will so remain, but
it's smaller part, split off in 1774 and several times
transported about the town before being placed
under the present canopy, will be lowered upon
base
parts united.
The early graves of the Pilgrims, who died
the first winter, and whose bones lying
under q 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 are worth reproduction. For example, Mr..
Gallivan read into the record the following ex-
cerpt from the report of Mr.. Luce of Massachu-
sets in presenting the resolution characterizing
II as q classic:
"This resolution contemplates that the nation
shall play fitting part In the commemoration
of an epoch-making voyage.
'sThree hundred years ago a small company Of
devout men and women, upheld by conscience and
inspired by fath DraVed the dangers OF the sea III
order that in a new world they might found IA
Christian commonwealth.
'They landed first at the end of Cape Cod,
where now Is Provincetown There In the cabin
of the Maynower they signed compact that has
taken its place among the momentous documents
OF history, for then Engshmen first Joined by
mutual covenant to form civil body polite. Be
cause this the germ Of the idea that was to
grow into the Constitution of the United States
every American owes gratitude to Its authors AMI
should honor the spot where II was conceived.
THE landing of the Pilgrims symbolizes one
of the worlds great adventures The hardships
of the voyage the perils 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 II rivets the Imagination on the no
best phases Of human nature-lofty purpose.
dauntless courage, steadfast endurance, pious en-
thusiasm, holy faith.
ITO commemorate and gorlfy these virtues,
out of which sprang the most precious institutions
of America, is not only to inspire our people with
tuda for hof horf inf n an a