The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1903-01-17

prime mover, il not the actual founder
of the Maryland Historical society Of
baltimore, which still exists among us,
and one Of his clergy was for soma
time it's librarian.
This interest which he took in social
ana literary improvements rendered
him very popular with his fellow
citizens.
Above all, he was Il sturdy patriot
and lnbored indefatigably for the sue
cess of American independence. In
177G lie accompanied Benjamin Frank
lin, Samuel Chase and Charles Carroll
of CnrrOlltOn to Canada on lle mission
to secure the cooperation of those COL
onfcs in the cause of independence. He
was thoroughly i'm touch with the spir-
1t Of our institutions, and by these
loyal sentiments won the esteem and
| confidence of his countrymen and the
friendship of the Chief Magistrate, the
immortal Washington.
short time before his conservation
| DIR. Carroll addressed letter to the
cardinal project of the Propaganda in
which he reviewed the condition of re-
liglon in the new republic. He stated
that the Catholic clergy numbered %,
and he estimated the Catholic popula-
tion at 25,OO0, residing chiefly in Mary
land, Pennsylvania and New York.
| II,i
cludc the Territory of Louisiana,
which contained few scattered Cath
oics, chiefly of French descent. At
the present timc-a century from the
day of Bishop Carroll-thc Catholic
Church i'm the United States comprises
a hierarchy of nearly 100 bishops, 49,
500 priests and n Catholic population
numbering from 12,OO0,OOO to 14,OOO,-
600 souls.
If we include our Philippine and
Porto Ricnn possessions, the number
Of Catholics under the aegis Of the
Church would amount to fully 25,OOO,.
OnO. Let us now consider to what
providential agencies we are to nscribe
this marvellous growth. Apart from
natural increase and from conversions
we are indebted to the tide of immigra-
tion which has been steadily flowing
to the shores of America. The first
country to which this State owes a
debt of gratitude for the faith is Eng
| land, for Maryland the Mother Church
Of the United States, was founded by
English Catholics.
Leonard Calvert, the brother of Lord
Baltimore, together with colony Of
| English Catholic gentlemen and their
families, sailed from Cowes in the Isle
of Wight in the Ark and the Dove and
landed on the banks Of the Potomac
in 1854. This colony was the first
to establish on American soil the bles-
sings Of civil and religious liberty. In
the mother country the colonists had
drunk deeply the bitter waters of pers-
ccuti0n, and now, when they enjoyed
the luxury of freedom, instead of hav-
ing recourse to measure Of retaliation
or restricting themselves. thev deter
mined to share It with others.
While the Puritans of New England
prosecuted other Christians, while the
Episcopalians Of Virginia prosecuted
Puritans, Catholic Maryland gave free
dom and hospitality to Puritans and
| Episcopalinns alike. In the words of
Bancroft:
"The foundation of this colony Of
Maryland was peacefully and happily
laid. Within six months it had ad-
vanced more than Virginia had in as
many years. But far more memorable
was the character Of the Maryland in.
etitutions. Every other country in
the world had prosecuting laws, but
through the benign administration of
the government of that province no
'erson protesting to belief in Jesus
Christ was permitted to be molested
IN account of religion. Under the
munificence and experimenting mild
ress Of Lord Baltimore dreary Wild
"rness was soon quickened with warm
ing life and activity of prosperous set
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