New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-11


lily absolutist in theory the actual government
was so equitable, tolerant and broad that its funda-
mental principles have subsisted until now. The
explanation of this paradox can be given almost
better in sketch than in more elaborate history.
the salient points being brought out the sharper
for the suppression or condensation of details.
OF course no account of Maryland can omit George
Calvert, first Raron Baltimore and yet he had
little if anything to do with the founding of the
palatinate beyond obtaining the royal charter.
What he did do. however, to enlist his whole
family IN the work of colonization. and consider
ing his disappointment IN Newfoundland. IL is
somewhat surprising that he should have per
sisted in this line Of enterprise. His experiment
at Avalon was certainly disastrous enough to have
dsheartened most men, for he had expended what
pretty fortune for the time lsome $4,000
upon the black barren and incement island before
he discovered its real character and climate. His
agents had systematically deceived him. represent
ing Newfoundland as a perfect paradise, where
everything grew and the climate of which was
mild and salubriOus. When he had passed
winter there himself with his colony, his eyes
opened, and he begged his royal master TO
give him lands in Virginia instead of or in addi-
ton to the wintry fef of Avalon or Ferryland.
The King thought Calvert had failed because he
had not the practical knowledge requisite for the
undertaking, and ADVISED him to return to Eng
land. where things should be made comfortable
for him. He had, however, already gone to Wiz
einia. and there on the Potomac and Chesapeake
Bay. his new province was roughly sketched out,
and he lived just long enough TO know that the
charter had been granted.
1t was his son Cecilius the second Lord Baltl-
more, vino really founded and built up the colony.
and yet he never resided in Maryland. In truth,
he had difficult task to perform. Himself
Roman Catholic. it his aim, as it had been
that of his father, TO establish place of refuge
in America where prosecuted members OF his
Church might resort and live in peace The
form of government which the Maryland charter
provided made the proprietary absolute in law and
he was thus enabled to put the principle of
liberation in the foundations of the new province
and TO maintain it in the long run against
all opposition. But difficulties presented them
selves at every step Virginia looked with sharp
dstrust upon the project Of supposed Catholic
province. The old Virginia Company at home.
struggling to regain the POWER of which it had
been dispossessed. used every agency against Balti
more and sought to supplant or to ruin him at
every turn. His Catholicism continually en-
barrassing him and tending to strengthen his
enemies. George Calvert indeed had given
just cause for suspicion to Protestants by sup
porting the Spanish marriage, which, had it been
carried out must have brought about civil war.
and very probably Spanish invasion fraught
with incalculable mischief. 1t is not enough to
say. Mr.. Browne does, that Calvert thought
he was doing the best for his country. Such
men have always been the most dangerous, and
chiefly because their sincerity and conscientious
ness impel them TO the most extreme measures
and fortify them against all ordinary restraints
Philip the Second was undoubtedly sincere and
ho t1o Lace
the world. Robesperre was conscientious and at
the same time monster of cruelty
The truth must be recognized that George Cal
verts public career put him at enmity with the
spirit of his age and country, and from the first
surrounded his coonizng schemes with obstacles
and suspicious. The English did right to mstrust
one who would have flung his country into the
arms of Spain: who believed that the Pope
supreme not only spiritually but temporarily; and
who most probably would have counsced her
sovereign TO put the interests of Rome before those
OF England. OF course Cecilius Calvert, being
also budding Roman Catholic, shared this mis-
trust, and equally open TO charges of papis:i-
cal cOnspiracies. From the interest it was as
serted that the sole purpose of founding Maryland
was to build up Popish State which could re
used as leverage against English Protestantism
and though Baltimore had the King on his side
public opinion both at home and in America was
too pronounced on this subject for even the most
wilful Stuart to ignore it altogether. Thus il
came about that the Calverts found themselves
under compulsion to exercise in Maryland n tOera-
ton broader and more genuine than had hitherto
been practiced anywhere and il is the most praise
worthy fact in their careers that both of them al
hered with untnching loyalty TO this policy nor
ever permitted persecution for opinions sake TO
he practised in their territory.
At the same time it must be pointed out thai
the course of the Church of Rome or its repre-
sentatives. in the palatlnate was such as TO more
than justify the suspicious Of Protestant on
lockers, and that Lord Baltimore himself was
obliged to draw the rein very sharply over these
I'll sping and greedy ccclcsastics, who sought u
acquire great tracts of land and at the same time
cmancipatng themselves and their dependents
from all responsibilities and obligations TO fhc
civil powers. Lord Baltimore took strong dis
like TO the Jesuits who had already made them
selves very busy, and whose practice of inducing
Indian chiefs 10 deed them land without reference
70 the rights Of the proprietary srnc directly at
the rights and authority of the latter Sc il hap
pened that in this province, which had been
founded expressly as refuge for Catholics it
became necessary, in the interests OF the com
munity. 10 refuse the very people for whose bcne
fit the State had been established and this was
not done without much difficulty and bitterness.
Lord Baltimore had intended to reside in his
palatinate, but he was prevented from sailing
with the first batch of coonists by the machina-
tons OF his enemies the members OF the dissolved
Virginia Company, and as attacks accumulated
upon his enterprise he was kept in England year
after year, and at length realized tlat he must
remain at headquarters permanently in order to
meet and refute the charges preferred against his
colonial government. In this capacity, how
ever, he exhibited rare political judg-
ment and skill. The time was one in
which a Catholic peer had nee3 TO looh %
his footing carefully He was living in The stormy
period of the struggle between King and Farlia
ment. Not 10 be openly for either side was TO
he against it. Rum threatened whichever way |
a man might turn. yet he could scarcely nope TO