The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-09-15
A Fact in the History of Maryland.

In the introduction of his last publication
on Romanism, Mr.. Gladstone gives the state
ment below 1t is time that the truth Of
history in that matter should be INDICATED
We constantly meet the assertion in news.
papers and reviews that the charity and toll
erance of Roman Catholics in founding Mary
land stands inevitable contrast with Protest
ant intolerance elsewhere. Let the state
ment of Mr.. Gladstone be controverted if it
can. He says
ut has long been customary to quote the case
of Maryland, in proof that more than two centu-
ries ago. the Roman Catholic Church, where pow.
er was in its hands, could use it for the purposes
of liberation. Archbishop Manning has repeated
the boast, and " it'll very large exaggeration.
have already shown ~ IRON Bancroft's History,
that in the case of Maryland there was no question
of merciful use of power towards others, but
simply of wise and defensive prudence with re-
spect to themselves: that is to say, so far as the
tolerant legislation of the colony was the work OF
Roman Catholics. But it does not appear to have
been their work. By the fourth article of the
Charter we find that 10 church could be consecrat.
at home. The tenth article guaranteed to the col.
onists generally "al privileges franchises, and
liberties of this our kingdom OF England" (c) 1t
was in 1919 that the Maryland Act of liberation
was passed which, however, prescribed the pun
ishment OF death for any one who denied the Trim
ity OF the small Legislative body which passed it
two-thIrds appear to have been Protestant, the re-
corded members being sixteen and eight respective
ly Id The colony was open to the emigration Of
Dr. ND oil CT nd mani
and successful oppression by handful of Roman
Catholics was altogether impossible. But the Co
lonia Act seems to have been an.echo Of the order
of the House of Commons at home, on the 9th OF
October, l645 that the inhabitants of the Summer
Islands, and such other shall join themselves to
them, 'shal without any mOesation or trouble,
have and enjoy the liberty of their consciences in
matters of Gods worship" and of British Ordi
nance te) of 1647 The'writer whom quote (f)
ascribes the Resolution of the Commons TO the en-
treaties of the friends of Williams, the Indepen-
dent, Of Rhode Island, and Of Copeland, learned
Episcopal divine, who shared his views of toera.
tlon. Upon the whole, then, the picture of Mary.
land legislation is gratifying one but the histor
10 theory which assgl the credit OF 1T to the Ro-
man Church has little foundation in fact.
London, july 7th. 1875. W. E. G.
(b) Vaticanism, p 1cS
lei Maryland liberation" By Rev. Ethan AL
len. Baltimore, 1858, PIP ~ 10.
ID Maryland not Roman Catholic Colony"
By E. D. N. Minneapolis, 1876 p. 7.
(s) An ordinance not in Scobell'S collection, is
mentioned in Rushworlh, vol. vii PIP sS4, $40,
SAL. cannot say whether this is the ordinance IN
tended by the American writer. Probably not, for
it excerpts Papists and Churchmen, and it does not
name the plantations.
IL "Maryland not Roman Catholic Colony"
By E. D. N. Minneapolis, 1875 p. 4. See also
Thorntons Historical Relation of New England to
the English Commonwealth, 1874, p. D.