The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1921-10-29

Puritans could have framed that document of pev
lical freedom.
One fundamental difference between the Puri-
tans and the Pilgrims their attitude toward
the church of England. While the Puritan did
not agree with all the forms and rituals Of the
established church, he seadfasty refused to leave
1t. His attitude that the church could be re-
formed more quickly from within than from with
out. Even that sturdy old master Puritan. John
Winthrop, the of sailing for America is
sued the Yarmouth declaration, swearing his last
ing allegiance to the dear mother church" The
Pilgrim on the other hand, first separated himself
from the established church and then, rather than
worship contrary to his conscience, was compelled
to leave his native land.
The term "Separatists,' which was so contempt
uously applied to the Pilgrims was literally true
It is also true that his first thoughts of democracy
grew out of this church dissension. While still
living in England the Pilgrims gave expression to
the broad principle that the people did not require
n bishop Of the established church to select their
preacher, but the other hand, they were per-
fectly capable Of choosing their own. This doc
trine so startled King James that he exclaimed
mo bishop would soon mean no king"
Not only did the Pilgrims and Puritans differ in
the fundamentals Of church, but in matters Of
state as well; for the Pilgrims held that church
and state should be separated. Any respectable
man In Plymouth could be free man and vote
whether he was q member Of the congregation or
not. Capt Miles Standish, one of the most prorni-
nent men Of the colony. never member Of
the church. The Puritans Of Salem and Boston,
however vigorously held that only members OF
the church had the rights Of freemen and the pow
er to vote In their minds the church and state
were one. The result was that the Pilgrims had
a liberal form of government while the Puritans
developed theOcracy sterny despotic.
The liberal spirit of Plymouth was never better
demonstrated than during the witchcraft frenzy
which for a time completely Frustrated Its more
powerful neighbor. While Salem and Boston were
hanging witches Plymouth would have none OF II.
The Pilgrims were q simple country folk. Gov
ernor Bradford the one great authority of these
people says Of them "They were not acquainted
with trades nor traffic, but had been used to
plain country life and the innocent trade of hus-
bandry." For II long years they had labored to-
gether In Holland. Without means to carry FOR
ward their exodus into the American wilderness.
they turned to company of London merchants
for aid Their only collateral was the pledge OF
the labor of their hands for seven years In the
forests. After many grievous disappontments
they sailed on one ship. Most Of them were with
out arms, and their poverty was SO pressing tney
did not even have extra leather soles for their
shoes Yet It fell to the lot Of these men, VINO
lived In log huts and fed upon the bread OF corn,
to found nation.
On the other hand, the Puritans included many
Of the gentry. Some even were personages OF
wealth and influence. When Gov. John winthrop
and his Puritan associates sailed for Massachu-
setts bay from Yarmouth. April 1880. there were
ten vessels I'm the feet Ample food was abroad
There were numerous shep. swine, cattle ana
horses Everything had been provided TO make
tho colonists comfortable and contented in the
new country. II John Josselyn. who was In the
colony In 1898. is to be believed, the total value
of the cargoes Of this Puritan feet was upward
Of one million oars-mmeasurabe wealth com
pared with the bankrupt voyagers OF the May
flower.