Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1891-06-11

When thcy landed upon these shores.
and laid out the plan Of The CITY Of S. Ma
rvs, j. has been well said that il seemed as
II "she finger Of God" was pointing the
course Of their destiny.
Not Withdrawing z title Of the praise,
which history has accorded " Penn. Tor his
noble dealing with the red man, let as no;
forget that Calvert purchased freGn the In
dams, then preparing to abandon their old
settlements, the very land upon which his
future city was u b founded
Here, Indeed, the banner OF religious lib
ersY was FIRST planted.
Il will IL betit an occasion Ike this 10
enter into displtati0n, respecting the claim
Of priority in this religious undertaking
There ATE some Tock-ribbed facts, how
ever, that cannot DC ignored.
The charter was compact between an
Anglo Catholic king and Roman Caiho-
lie prince. II was intended b. both Is
solemn pledge in favor Of religious freedom
IL was no guarantee Of liberation, but was
a recognition ola God-bestowei right Of hu-
mainly. which man could neither give nor
take away
Christianity, It Is true, vas made the
foundation stone Of the law, but no demon
ination could claim any privilege greater
than another, and there was no religion i'm
posed by the State upon the people
The doctrine Of immersion was not 70 be
denied % the Baptist, Masses could be Gel.
ebrated by the Catholics, and the beliefs
and the religious forms If worship by all
Protestant denominations must in no way
De inteTfeFed with.
II was, IN verify. 10 be province ia
which every man could worship God with
| out fear under bis own vine and fg tree"
Upon such q rock only could a perma-
nent and wise popular government be ercc-
ted.
In the language Of another, at is neither
the business ofthe State 70 maintain true
| religion nor 10 punish the false, God needs
| no defender. he can plead for Himself"
But Of one thing we all are agreed. We
| are here today for the single purpose Of do
ing honor to Leonard Calvert for his fidei
ity 20 the principles Of religious liberty,
and for MS steadfastness of purpose in car
| Tying out the sacred obligation Of his noble
! brother.
II is recorded that no case of persecution
occurred during his administration from
the foundation Of the settlement at ST. Ma
| rvs down 70 the year 1e49.
Daring that whole period religions free
dom was par. OF the law of the province,
and no man had ever been disturbed "fJr
matter OF religion"
The spirit of Christian kindness which
actuated Gov. Leonard Calvert in respect.
ing and shielding others In the enjoyment
of their religious convictions influenced
Lord Baltimore, in his controversy with
| William Penn over the title 10 the three
counties of Delaware, instead of warning
| over il with hostile forces, 10 submit II TO
the arbitrament of Chancellor Hardwicke
and abide by his decision in true Christian
spirit.
Although Leonard Calvert died before
1649, yet he laid the generations of Mary
landers who have succeeded him, under
lasting obligations for his undertaking adj
herence 70 the right of religious freedom
and his practical disqualification Of his
faith in Il as fundamental principle Of
civil government in all his acts as Govern
or and chief justice-in the first exercise OF
his ample powers for its protection, and in
the latter anticipating statute legislation
and discharging his judicial duties in the
Cecilius Calvert And observing the course
of evolution from the beginnings OF the ear
| ~ colonists, let US recall the declaration Of
April, 1649, in which occur these memora-
bic words, illumining with unfading bright
ness the most brilliant page Of Maryland
history That the enforcement of the con.
science has been of dangerous consequence
in those countries wherein IL has been
| practiced," and again, mo persons profes.
sing 10 believe in Jesus Christ should be
molested in respect of their religion or in
| the free exercise thereof"
II is the custom in every civilized nation
on the globe that the living should render
homage to the honOred dead. Memorials
in bronze or marble, in statue and column,
in public squares and cemeteries, in the
beaten tracks of men or in remote spots,
associated with heroic deeds, attest the
admiration Of their fellows for virtues and
service of those who have laid down the
activities of life and gone TO their repose
But with what admiration should we re-
gard him who. "being Of nobler substance
than the stars" dedicates his life to the en-
forcement of great principle calculated 70
promote the happiness Of his fellow man
in this world and bring to him eternal rest
in the world beyond the grave!