Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-07-25

establish the principle OF free federation in rei-
gious worship on this continent"
Well, sir, turnto Bancroft's History of the
United States, VOL l, page 242, and read what
is said of the charter granted by Charles the
First to Lord Baltimore in 1852, for the colony
of Maryland: -.
"Christianity was, by the charter, made the
law of the land, but no preference was given to
any sect; and equality in religious rights, not
less than in civil freedom wassassured."
Turn over TO page 244, same volume, and
read as follows:
"Calvert (Sir George Calvert, who was Lord
Baltimore) deserves 10 be ranked amongst the
most wise and benevolent law.giyers of all
nations. He was the first in the history of the
Christian would to seek for religious security
and peace by the practice of justice, and not by
the exercise of power; 10 plan the establish
ment of popular institutions with the enjoy
mcnt of liberty of conscience; to advance the
career of civilization by recognizing the ghtful
equality of all religious sects. The asylum Of
Papists was the spot where, in remote corner
of the world, on the banks Of rivers which, as
vet, had hardly been explored, the mild for
bearance of n proprietary adopted religious free
dom as the basis of the State"
Lord Baltimore, the elder, who planned this
colony, died in April, 1852, before his enterprise
was accomplished. His son Cecil Calver. sue
ceeded to his titles and carried it out. He did
not, however, come in person with the emigrants
He entrusted them, consisting of about two
hundred people, to the care of his younger
brother, Leonard Calvert They were "most of
them Roman Catholic gentlemen and their SER
wants." They sailed from the Old world ON the
22d November. 1888, in two ships-the one
called the Ark, the other the Dove. And on
the 9th day of March 1886, says Bancroft, page
247, "The Catholics took quiet possession OF
the little place, and religious liberty obtained Il
home, lis only home in the 1oids world, at the
humble village which bore the name of st.
Mary's." The italics in this extract are my
own.
If you arc not satisfied with this, turn on to
page 24S, and read as follows:
"Under the mild institutions and munfcence
of Baltimore, the dreary wilderness soon bloom
ed with the swarming life and activity Of pros.
porous settlements The Roman Catholics, who
were oppressed by the laws Of England, were
sure to find 4 peaceful asylum in the quiet har.
bors of the Chesapeake, and there, too, Protes.
tantS cere sheltered against Protestant inlolcr.
ance" The italics are again mine.
Maryland at that day (l642) was unsurpass-
ed for happiness and liberty. Conscience was
without restraint A mild and liberal propricta-
ry conceded every measure which the welfare of
the colony required. Domestic union, happy
concert between all the branches Of government,
afertile soil, which Heaven had richly favored
scene of colonial felicity and contentment.-
Ever intent on advancing the interests of the
colony, Lord Baltimore inrited The Puritans Of
Massachusetts to emigrate to Maryland, offering
them lands and privileges, and free liberty Of
religion" l vol. Bancroft, page 252 and 253.
This was all before the restriction act you
alude to which passed the Legislative Council
in i649. This law, it is true, provided heavy
penalty against whoever should "blaspheme
God. or should deny or reproach the Holy Trini-
ty, or any of the three persons thereof" But 1t
does not affect, in the slightest degree, the cor
rectness of my statement, that the principle Of
free toeration in religious worship was first cs-
tablished ON this continent by the Catholic colo
ny of Maryland, under the auspices OF Lord
Baltimore. And that this "colonv afforded
protection to all prosecuted sects."
The historian | quote from is not only nck-
nowledge to be the very best authority on the
subject, but it is proper to state, for the infor.
nation of those who do not know, that lie is 4
New England Protestant, and without any un-
due sympathy for the Catholics.
But if you cannot lay your hands on this
work, cite you TO the common school book, by
Grimshaw. On page 6S of his history of the
United States you will find it stated, that Mary
land was founded by Sir George Calvert Baro-
net of Baltimore in Ireland Roman Catholic
nobleman born in England" and further on as
follows:
"The religious liberation established BY that
charter, the rst draft of which was written, it
is said by Sir George himself, is highly honora-
Bile to his memory, and was strictly respected
by his son."
And on page 6s you will read as fellows:
"Whilst Virginia harrasscd all who dssented
from The English Church, and the Northern
colonies all who dissented from the Puritan, the
Roman Catholics of Maryland, sect who, in
the old world, never even prufessed the doctrinc
of toleration, recered and protected their Chris
tain brethren Of erery Church, and is population
increased"
The italics are mine.
The authorities here produced deem quite
sufficient to show, that whether the issue be.
tween US amounts TO much or little, your denial
of the accuracy of the statement made by me
in the speech delivered in Augusta, amounts to
absolutely nothing at all, and ends in nothing,
except to make you feel ashamed for having
made it. The proof is overwhelming against
YOU had no intention of entering into 4
controversy with you when replied 10 your
first letter. and have much less intention now
of continuing it. have other business Of
much more Importance to attend to than teach
ing you history, or defending my statements
from the assaults of those who may choose to
controvert them, barely because they know ne
better.
Yours, respectfully,
ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS.