The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-04-19

1t has been said by some that History,
of the past few centuries, is only conspiracy
against TRUTH and i'm no instance is this more
plainly the case than in that of Mary, first
Queen reguant of England and ireland, whose
short reign has been recorded one of the
most fearful in persecution and blood, and
which has affixed to her beautiful name an
epithet the most revolving our language.
Like all Catholic sovereigns since the days of
Henry VIII, her life full of sorrow and
her brief reign repletelwith treasons and in
Justice Born in the happy days of Horny and
Kathrine's lives Mary was the idol of both
parents, until that dark hour when a guilty
passion came between her fathers conscience
and his God, and then her lot became pitful
in the extreme.
When separated from her virtuous mother,
degraded from her princely estate, deprived of
all the honors of her birth, exiled from her
fathers presence, il suit was added to injury
and the loving daughter was threatened with
the penalties of treason, if sho. dared to call
that mother-Queen; and commanded to con-
fer upon the illegitimate issue of Anne Boleyn
the titles and homages of which she was her
self deprived; it would not have been strange
if Mary's heart had hardened with bitter
hatred towards those who worked their wicked
will against her mother and herself. And yet
so far from this, note Mary's answer when the
order was read to call Elizabeth, princess;
title denied unto herself. I shall never call
her anything but sister," was the proud and
pathetic answer, while the thought of her
dying mother pleading for the presence of her
only child, must have made her soul recoil
from the mother of this new sister.
But in later years, when Elizabeth was in
turn degraded, despoiled and orphaned, and
there came another order to refuse her now the
title of princess, again Mary tenderly and
gravely answered "And now you think it
meet, shall never call her anything but sis
ter"
1t is recorded that one of the last acts of
Anne Boleyn was to entreat Mary's pardon, in
the person of Lady Kingston, for all the
wrongs she had heaped upon her while in pos.
session of step-dame authority. And when
we recall that dreary Tower prison, the fright
full sentence, the bright young life 50 soon to
end, we can sympathise in the pity which
animated Mary's heart when, forgetful of her
own wrongs, she dared to mention, in letter
to the paternal tyrant, the name of the poor
abandoned, motherless child-thus answering
that agonized cry for forgiveness which a
hopeless mother had sent her from her dismal
prison cell. "My sister Elizabeth" she writes,
lis in good health (thanks to our Lord) and
such child, as I doubt not, but your highuess
shall have cause to rejoice of in time coming"
Behold the forgiving charity of this Affection
ate reminder, at time when Henry had dis
owned Elizabeth princess of his line, and
as unworthy even to rank as his illegitmate
child.
Lady Jane Grey has been called a martyr to
her religion, and is thus considered by all who
persist in seeing facts in one light only. 1t
was sad, indeed, that sweet and accomplished
lady should have been forced to pay the pen
atty for the ambitious schemes of others; but
religion bad nothing to do with it. LadyJane
hat twice been proclaimed Queen Of England
ne asslh az