The Concordia sentinel. (Vidalia, Concordia Parish, La.) 1882-current, 1920-06-19

While it 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, 1t is quite likely that
many do not know just where PrOvincetown comes
in. Very briefly the story Is this:
The MayfOwer sailed from Plymouth, England,
September 6, 1920, for Virginia. 1t was driven
north by storms. 1t 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 H. 1920, (old style)
which is November q, according to the new
style-the Pilgrims, in the cabin of the Mayfower
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
cupies the extreme END of Cape Cod. The rec
ords of the Pilgrims show that they put in the
time until December q exploring the country the
Mayfower remaining at anchor Finally, on De-
cember 81, ten men in the Mayfower's small boat
landed on Plymouth Rock They returned and
ported that they had found place suitable for
permanent home. On about December 20 the
Mayflower arrived off Plymouth and the landing
was made.
Restoration of the Plymouth shore about Plyn,-
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 disfgure the present shore line. The
contemplated change will embrace all the water
front from Town brook on the south to Brewster
street on the north.
This rediscovered shore win be established by
filling in and creating q 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 1774 and several times
transported about the town before being placed
the base from which 1t separated. and the
parts united.
The early graves of the Pilgrims, wSo died
the first winter, and whose bones are now 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 Ia
marked by a 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
peopie There were, however, some things said
that are worth reproduction. For example, Mr.
GaIlivan read into the record the following ex
cerpt from the report of Mr. Luce Of Massachu-
sets in presenting the resolution characterizing
II as classic:
'erhis resolution contempates that the nation
shall play fitting part in the commemoration
of an epoch-making voyage.
Three nulQreQ years ago d SIudl COmpduy VI
devout men and women, upheld by conscience and
inspired by faith braved the dangers of the sea in
order that in a new world they might found a
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-
cause this was 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 it was conceived.
1.-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, our concern today with the solemn
story is that it rivets the Imagination on the no
bIest phases Of human nature-lofty purpose,
dauntless courage steadfast endurance, pious en-
thusiasm, holy faith
"To commemorate and glorify these virtues,
out of which sprang the most precious institutions
of America is not only to inspire our people with
fresh gratitude for their heritage, but also to re-