The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1921-11-04

Puritans could have framed that document of POI
litical freedom
One fundamental difference between the Pur
tahs ana 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 steadfasty refused to leave
IT, Ills attitude was that the church could be re-
FORMED more quickly from within than from with
OUT. Even that sturdy old master Puritan John
winthrop, on the eve 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 them 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, literally true
1t is also true that his first thoughts of democracy
grew out Of this church dssension. While still
living In England. the Pilgrims gave expression to
the broad principle that the people did not require
bishop of the established church to select their
preacher but. on the other hand they were per-
fectly capable of choosing their own. This doc
trlne 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 well: for the Pilgrims held that church
and state should be separated. Any respectable
man In Plymouth could be free and vote
whether he was member of the congregation or
not Capt. Miles Standlsh. one of the most promi-
nent of the colony. never a 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
err 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 Purtans
developed a theocracy sternly despotc.
The liberal spirit Of Plymouth never better
demonstrated than during the witchcraft frenzy
which for time completely Frustrated Its
powerful neighbor. While Salem and Boston were
hanging witches. Plymouth would have none of It.
The Pilgrims were simple country folk. Gov
ernor bradford. the one great authority of these
people, says OF them: They not acquainted
with trades nor traffic, but had been used to a
plain country life and the innocent trade Of hus-
handry." For II long years they had labored to-
gethcr 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. aud their poverty was pressing they
did not even have extra leather soleS for their
shoes Yet 1t fell to the lot of these men, who
lived In log huts ami fed upon the bread of corn
TO found nation.
On the other hand the PurtauS included many
OF the gentry. Some even were personageS "
wealth and influence. When GOV. John Winthrop
and his Puritan associates sailed for MaSSachu-
setts bay from Yarmouth, April 1880 there were
ten vessels In the fleet. Ample food was abroad
There were numerous shep swine. cattle and
horses Everything had been provided to make
the colonists comfortable and contented In the
new country. II John Josselyn. who was in the
colony In 1885, is to be believed the total value
Of the cargoes OF this Puritan fleet was upward
OF one million dollars-immeasurable wealth COM
pared with the bankrupt voyagers of the May
flower.