Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-07-25
10y REQUEST.
From the Chronicle & Sentinel
LORD BALTIMORE AGAIN.

FROM lne CnrOnlcie C ScHlIuel
LORD BALTIMORE AGAIN.
Hon. a. II. Stephens:
Dean SIR: You were right in supposing that
my former communication, controyertIng your
statement in reference to Lord Baltimore,
looked for an answer" | did look for an
answer-I still look for one. You tell me that
the issue between US "amounts TO nothing"
What it "amounts tn" is just this : Did Lord
Baltimore establish religious federation on this
continent! You affirm that he did, and that he
was the first to do it. deny that he ever did it
atal. Whether this issue amounts to nothing,
m intelligent public will decide, or probably has
already decided. The same tribunal will also
decide whether this summary way of disposing
of an issue argues either ability or willingness
10 meet it fairly.
In my former letter, assuming the onuS pro-
hand. which properly belonged to you, and not
TO me, (hus giving you an advantage in the dis
cussiOn which you could not claim.) ! showed
that The colony Of Maryland, under Lord Bati-
more. did not establish religious freedom. |
quoted from the so called Tolcral ion Act" itself,
aud showed in the very words Of the Act, that
death was the penalty of expressing certain re-
: !iuious opinions. How have you met me on
this point? Simply by asserting that the
Catholic colony of Maryland under Lord Bati-
more, was the first 10 establish the principle OF
free federation in religious worship" What
does this C. amount to-" Is your assertion 10 be
balanced against the Legislative records Of the
country? The readers of the Chronicle dr Sen
tinel will decide. In order that they may the
better estimate the value Of the two, will place
them together:
A. H. STEnESs-The Catholic colony Of Mary
land organized Under the auspices of Lord Balti-
more was the first to establish the principle of free
liberation in religious worship on this continent"
1.-The colony Of Maryland afforded protec ton to
all prosecuted sects."
"What said in Augusta was strictly true"
LAWS OF MAnYLAxD-"D Denying the Holy Trini-
tn is to be punished with death, and confscation o!
land and gopds to the Lord Proprietary, (lord Bal
tiniure hinlselfD Persons using any rcproachui
words concerning the Blessed Virgin Mary or the
Holy Apostles or Evangclsts, 10 be fined s5, or in
default Of payment - be publicly whipped and I'M
prisoned at the pleasure Of his Lordship lord Bati-
more hmself!J or of his Lieutenant General" See
Laus of Maryland at large, By T. Bacon, A. d.,
1865. Is and II CeciliuS' Lord Baltimore.
This Act is dated 2lst April, 1919, when Lord
Baltimore was in the zenith of his power, and
was copied in substance, if not in very words,
from drafts written by his Lordship's own hand.
(Hild. ]. 347) Now, sir, know that your in
genuity is truly remarkable, but if you will
reconcile the statements in these two en-
tracts, and thus show that "what you said in
Augusta WAS strictly true" | thilik you will
achieve for yourself u new reputalion which will
be TO what you already enjoy, as apolher morn,
risen on miduoon."
But if YOU fail to reconcile them, you must
rot think that your reputation Tor accuracy, on
~. 4, tn r,y Spil
An Intelligent people will take The mere say-so
of no man, when it ilally denies such record as
is above adduced.
If religious federation was established in
MARYLAND, it must have been done by law. j
call OH you 10 point uic to that law. The mere
ipSe dxt of those who protesting 10 write histo-
rv. rcrlard their statements Of fact with infer
cnces aud notions falsely deduced from them
will not do. The highest evidence that the ma
ture Of the case admits Of is the only evidence
that the court of public opinion will receive.
Nothing but the document which established
religious freedom in Maryland under Lord Bati-
more, will meet the demand righlfully made upon
you.
When statesman occupying position rs
prominent rs YOUR own, makes assertions impor-
tanl in h.r bearings which are openly controvcr-
led, it is but due to himself, (allow ME respect.
lully TO suggest,) as we'll as to his constituents
and the public generally that lie should either
rctracl those statements. or prove them. 10 be
true In this case, you have not done the former,
nor have you even made an attempt TO do the
latter. challenge you to. attempt it. hope
the issue aom, amounts TO" something.
perceive that in your communication TO me,
YOU max c q mistake Of some 80 years in your
chronology; but rs the error may have been
Typographical, give you the benefit of the
duubt-though as the error occurs twice, the
probabilities would seem to be against you.
must repeat what said in my former letter,
that the issue is not one Of dates. If you will
,,ho,v that Maryland. under Lord Baltimore, was
'erey free government, either before Rhode Is.
land or after, you will meet the issue satisfacto.
ry. You nIay show the invitation OF Lord
Baltimore to purilants and Epi<copaans. But
,hi, invitation established" nothing. And even
il it did, yet, as the parties invited were both
in po,rer-one in New England and the other in
Old England-thc invitation can avail you moth
ing, unless you show that extended also to par
lies not in power-to Quakers, Eaptists, Jews,
and in your own language, TO all prosecuted
hccls."
Allow me to say in conclusion, that if have
spoken 10 you plain things in plain way, and
denied your Statements elnp'i''C'h'l' ~ ".'' "o'
been my intention in so doing: to bs uncourte-
GUS Nothing could be further from my wish
Your protracted experience at the Bar, has
doubtless long since taught you, that parties on
opposite sides of 4 question, do not necessarily
lnsc their respect and esteem for each other.
make these apologize remarks, therefore. not
for your sake, for know you would not require
them; but for the sake of the non-professional
reader and those uninililted in the customs Of
debate, who might do me the injustice to sup.
pose that what intend only for emphasis is done
in forge,lnlncss of the law Of kindness, and Of
the consideration due 10 the character and posi-.
lion of my distinguished opponent fear no
such injustice from you.
AS ever, sir, respectfully yours,
H.H. TUCKER.
I.aGrangc, Ga, July 8, 1855.
l. &, .1