[Speech of the Hon. James Montgomery Beck, of Philadelphia, at the 93d anniversary dinner of the New England Society, in the city of New York, December 22, 1898. Judge Henry E. Howland, President of the Society, was in the chair, and introduced the speaker as follows: "There are Pilgrims in Pennsylvania who have been immortalized by Whittier in his poem of that name. There have been records of difficulties between Connecticut settlers who trespassed upon the rights of the prior occupants, for the early comers were eager after land; but the Pilgrims we like to remember are peaceful followers of William Penn, who gave a lesson to all other colonies of righteous dealings and Christian action with the aboriginal inhabitants, and proved themselves a blessing to the country. I have great pleasure in introducing to you the Hon. James M. Beck, of Philadelphia, who represents that commonwealth, and who will speak to you upon the Democracy of the Mayflower."]
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen:—I am charged by the President of the New England Society of Pennsylvania to extend its most cordial greetings to its sister Society in New York. I am instructed by our President to "congratulate you upon your long and honored history." He adds, in the message which I bring, and which I shall venture to use as a text: "It is well for neighbors so near to clasp hands frequently. With kindred lineage, principles and aims, we cannot emphasize too strongly the truths for which we stand. While honoring the past our faces are toward the future. We are confident that you and all true descendants of the Pilgrim and the Puritan will wisely and loyally help our country in the new, untried place among the nations, to which it has been so suddenly summoned." I wish, indeed, that those for whom I speak had a worthier spokesman. Indeed, in this presence, representing the culture of the metropolis, and with distinguished guests to address you,
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