They came-a life devoting band- Fearless they left their fatherland, And when they battled to be free, To the wild beach they trod upon. The brave on Bunker's Hill who stood, Felt in their veins the pilgrims' blood, That well-fought field their death-bed scene; But 'twas that battle's bugle blast That bade the march of mind begin. It sounded o'er the Atlantic waves; And other nations, from their sleep Fitz-Greene Halleck. UNIV. OF ELDER BREWSTER AND HIS TIME And thus he bore without abuse, The grand old name of gentleman. Tennyson. "William Brewster of Scrooby. Gentleman." Dec. 7, 1607. Records of Ecclesiastical Court of York. If there is anything of dignity and meaning in human life, it lies in selfless devotion to beliefs, to principles; it is readiness to sacrifice happiness, life, all in their defense. Robert Herrick. At this momentous period in the world's history, it is peculiarly fitting that the sons and daughters of America should commemorate the heroic character and purposes of their forefathers, for by such high example each succeeding generation is uplifted and inspired. The prophetic words of Daniel Webster and of William Cullen Bryant have been fulfilled, and on the shores of the Pacific the children of the Pilgrim sires observe Forefathers' Day and Compact Day with love and reverence, as in the old home. When the Mayflower sailed on its lone way across the Atlantic it was at once "the fruit of the past and the seed of the future". In that germ lay all that America has since become, |