The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-22

liefs. no matter which OF the two is
vain or conceited enough TO think that
he succeeded III getting the better
OF the other.
] thought that treated the Rev Mr.
Mcdaniel with all due courtesy in my
letter. and gave Roger Williams and
the Raptists full credit for wha. they
had done, when ! said II do not mean
TO say that the Baptists did not prac-
tice freedom Of conscience from the
beginning OF Roger Wllliams's teach
inGs in Rhode Island IN the seven
tecnth century. but | wish to quote
the above from Bancroft. for fear that
some reader of yesterdays article
might form the wrong Impression
from the reverend Eentleman's SER
mon AS reported in your publication"
Mr.. Mcdaniel says that the cor
respondent from Portsmouth takes is
sue with tho writer upon a question of
history That question Is whether UNI
limited freedom az conscience was
from the FIRST the trophy Of the Bap-
lists"
took no such issue with the gen
tleman, as my letter will bear mo out
If read carefully.
will say. however. that Thomas
Munzer John OF Lcyden and other
Anabap tlsts cannot be given the credit
that is justly accorded Roger Will
liams IN Rhode Island and probably
some credit is due Charles IT, for the
liberal charter granted in 1868. which
carried with 1t religious liberty and
creating and giving the General AS
scmbly power to enact the laws prayed
for by Williams. But this was four
teen years after the act OF liberation
was passed by Lord Baltimore and his
Assembly in Maryland
ton OF dates. and If the assertion that
the Baptist statesman in replying to
John Bright in England that his peo-
pie had given TO the world, as Il spe-
cial contribution, both civil and re-
ligious liberty" could this assertion
be proved as historical fact.
admit that | am not much of a
student OF history, but am always
willing to learn from my superiors
in any and all things
There Is no need OF muddying the
waters with other issues. as the only
way 10 settle a question is to confne
ones SELF strictly TO that question until
it Ia disposed Of and then others can
be taken UP in their respective turn.
The reverend gentleman leaves the
question at Issue and branches off into
matters of "unholy alliance OF church
and state" and then charges that
SllntIy IlldU--tITNlIlAl tIlDDOnS-Wltfl
ingenuity and prejudice in his "The
Faith Of Our Fathers" Why. this book
is in its sixty seventh edition and over
625.o copies have been sold. printed
,n more than thirty different Ian
Euages. Quite astonishing that 1t is so
popular. is 1t not? And instead of
joining in praise OF Cecilius Calvert
Lord Baltimore) for the first act Of
federation ever enacted, Mr.. Mcdaniel
brands that gentleman as a. land spec
ulator with dollar marks in his eyes.
Let's throw aside prejudice and he a
little moro liberal and give justice
where justice Is due
7 made no charges against Roger
Williams but on tho contrary gave
him full credit. 7 did not belittle the
divine teachings of our Saviour just
because human nature was the cause
OF one OF His apostles denying Him,
and another bctraying Him 1.-TWO out
OF twelvc--l6 ID per cent?. The Lord
then turns around and makes Peter
the Prince OF the band Neither do 1
say that the Baptist religion. its min
listers and followers should suffer and
he condemned on account OF Clarence
Rdcheson, the Baptist preacher exc
cutcd in Massa chusetts last year for
the most hcinous crimes of the pres
ent generation.
did not quote Cardinal Gibbons to
prove my statements. but on the con-
trary, quoted the same Protestant