The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1928-04-05
BY MATTHEW PAGE ANDREWS

y
Virginia claims the first successful
settlement following the arrival in
1907 of the good ships the Sarah Con-
slant, the Goodspeed and the Discovery.
By virtue of holding a Legislative
Assembly at jamestown in 1919 Vir-
ginia has also preempted the honor OF
being the first Colony to practice the
distinctively American principle of
local self government.
In 1920 the pilgrim Fathers" ar
rived at Cape Cod.
For them it is claimed that they be-
gan their political existence under the
first social compact drawn up by the
settlers themselves. 1t is also asserted
that they were the first settlers i'm
pelled by the urge to establish col
ony in America where they could wor-
ship God "in accordance with the die
tates of their conscience"
Because, however, of the purely
material interest so often attributed
to the founders of Virginia and Mary
land. it should be noted that the Plym-
outh group had other motives in COM
ing to America. In addition to the
desire to get away from the alien land
of Holland, where they faced the pos
sibility of the outbreak of war with
Spain, these motives were no different
from those of other emigrants. In
short, by the Pilgrim leaders state
ment, they wished "to better" their
condition.
Both Jamestown and Plymouth have
a distinction peculiar to them, OF
which, however, neither one has ever
boosted: both began on a communis-
tic basis.
In the case of the Pilgrims this fea-
ture has rarely seen the light Of the
printed page, though the original
manuscript of William Bradford.
their first historian and able Cover
nor, recounted at some length how the
plan had almost caused the ruin of the
Colony. On the other hand, every
schoolboy learns in his textbooks of
the communism attempted at James
town.
The introduction of these various
claims for priority serves as a neces-
sary basis for a review of the points
in Maryland history which are pecul-
lar to the province founded by the
Calverts.
By way of contrast, Maryland was
the first Colony to begin its career
with a clean statement of principle
providing for the holding of private
property.
Again, Maryland was the first Col
ony to be placed under the control of a
single proprietary. AS such, Lord
Baltimore was given viceregal powers
by virtue of palatinate prerogatives
and privileges.
It is especially important to bear
this in mind when we consider the
claim to world distinction that has
been set up for Maryland. This claim
will be examined now and here in the
light of the known records, with a
view to ending an age-old discussion,
as the Old Line State rapidly ap-
proaches the three-hundredth ami
versary of it's founding.
Briefly, the question to be answered
is this: Is Maryland entitled to pre-
eminence or priority in establishing
freedom of conscience in matters of
religious belief, coupled with the sepa-
ration of the functions of church and
state?
In regard to this claim there has
been much confusion. The confusion
is worse COMPOUNDED when we find that
Maryland annalists have acclaimed
the so-called celebration act" as their
chart or charter of religious liberty.
Immediately innumerable writers, in
GLIDING number of distinguished his
torians, point to the act itself as the
very negation of this Distinction
This legislative enactment is on rec
ord in the proceedings of the General
Assembly as can Act Concerning Re-
ligion." In consequence, however, of
its imputed title, it has been assumed
that the act furnishes the sole, or at
least the principle, basis for the
claims made on behalf of Maryland.
Recently Woodrow Wilson's "His-
tory of the American People" (numer.
Gus other United States histories
would have served as we'll by way
either of negation or neglect,) has
been quoted as conclusively refuting
the claim of Maryland, not only tc
priority on this point, but as to the
fact itself. We find therein this can
did denial, supported by the document
in question:
The Calverts did not establish re-
ligious freedom in this country. The
first paragraph of the Maryland Tol.
Grafton Act, or more properly speak.
ing, ga Law of Maryland Concerning
Religion" reads as follows: -. ."Bo
it therefore ordained and enacted .
that whatsoever person or persons
within this provinca and tho iclande