The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1894-08-04
Er llot. July nth. 1895.


Tie foi.aniue address Was delivered
oN alf. 4 -, A9Gl". Principal Of the
ROMAN CATHOLIC RELIGION IN AMER
ICA.
Of the Is original American colonies,
MARYLAND was tlia only one settled by
Catholics; size vas also the only one
that spread al0f- over her fair lands
the hanar at liberty Of conscience,
and III lav5#aa tae oppressed Of 9th
er colonies to seek an asylum beneath
its shadow
Leonard Calvert. the brother of Lord
Baltimore, and the lea der of the Cath
ohc colony. having sailed from En-
gland in tie Ark and the Dove, reach
cd ms destination on the Potomac in
March, 1854. The Catholics took
quiet possession Of the little place,
and religions liberty obtained a home.
its only home in the wide world at the
humble village which bore the name
OF st. Mary's. The foundation of the
colony OF Maryland was peacefully and
happily LAID. Within 6 months, it had
advanced more than Virginia had
done In as many years. But far more
memorable was the character of the
Maryland institutions. Every other
country IN the world had persecating
laws; but through the benign admin-
istration of the government of that
province, no person, protesting to be-
lleve IN Jesus-Christ, was permi tied
to be molested on account of religion.
Under the munificence and super
intending mildness Of Lord Baltimore.
dreary wilderness was soon quick
ened with the swarming life and actl-
witty OF prosperous settlements the
Roman Catholics who were oppressed
by the laws of England, were sure to
find a peaceful asylum in the harbors
OF the Chesapeake; and there, too,
Protestants were sheltered against
Protestant intolerance.
Such were the beautiful auspices
under which Maryland started into be-
ing. It's history is the history Of be-
nevolence, gratitude and liberation.
Maryland was the abode of happi-
ness and liberty conscience was With
out restraint. mild and libe.al pro
prletary coneeaejevery measure W nieh
the welfare CT the colony required.
Domestic union, happy concert be-
tween all the branches of government,
an increasing immigration, produc-
tive commerce, a fertile soil. which
heaven bad richly favored with rivers
and deep bays, united to perfect the
scene Of colonial felicity.
Ever intent on advancing the inter
est of his colony, Lord Baltimore in
vited the Puritans of Massachusetts, to
immigrate to Maryland, offering them
lands and privileges, and liberty of re-
lIgiOn; but Gibbons, TO whom he for-
warded the commission was sc wholly
tutored in the New England discipline
that he would not advance the wish Of
the Irish Peer, so the invitation was
declined.
In April 1649, the General Assembly
of MARYLAND passed the following act
which will reflect unfa5ing glory on
that State as long as liberty is cher
ished in the heart of men.
The act was: "Whereas the enfOrc-
! ing of conscience in matters of religion
| hath frequently fallen out to be of
dangerous consequence in those COM
monwealths, where it has been prac-
ticed, and for the more quiet and
peaceable government or this province,
and the better to preserve mutual love
and unity amongst the inhabitants, no
person whatsoever, within this prov
ince protesting to believe in Jesus
Christ, shall from henceforth be any
ways troubled o. Eolested for his or
her religion nor in the free exercise
thereof, nor any way compelled to the
belief or exercise of any other religion
against his or her consent" Upon
this noble statute Bancroft makes the
following candid and jadicious COM
ment 'The design of the law of Ma
ryland was to protect freedom of con-
science, and years after it had been
affirmed. the apologist of Lord Balti-
more could assert that his government
had never given disturbance to any
person of Maryland for matters of re-
ligion, that the colonists enjoyed free
dom of conscience not less than free
dom of person and estote. as amply
as ever any people in any place of th'
world.
"The disfranchised friends Of prela
cy from Massachusetts and the Puri
tans from Virginia were welcome t
equal liberty of conscience and politi
cal rights in the Roman Catholic prov
ince of Maryland.
IIVoorS latar yya GOO than 0uiltv n