Posted on 07/05/2010 12:23:17 AM PDT by GonzoII
Charles Carroll of Carrollton (1737-1832), the only Catholic to sign the Declaration of Independence, also served as a diplomat to Canada, a U.S. senator and a Maryland state senator. He was the last of the signers of the Declaration to die. Bradley Birzer is the Russell Amos Kirk Chair in American history and director of American studies at Hillsdale College in Michigan. His book "American Cicero: The Life of Charles Carroll" is scheduled for release Feb. 15, and can be pre-ordered on Amazon.com.
Q: What role did Charles Carroll's faith play in his political life?
A: A huge role. Prior to 1774, as a Marylander and a Roman Catholic, he did not have any rights except for economic rights. So his faith had shaped everything in his life. His signing of the Declaration, at least as he saw it, was intimately related to his religious faith. He said in 1829, "When I signed the Declaration of Independence, I had in view not only our independence of England but the toleration of all sects, professing the Christian religion, and communicating to them all great rights."
Q: How exactly did Colonial Maryland persecute Catholics?
A: In November of 1689, the state's 1649 law of tolerance was undone. Roman Catholics could practice privately after that, but they could not practice publicly. In 1704, they started closing all Catholic churches in Maryland. I think the craziest law passed in 1715. It said that children who were raised in Roman Catholic fashion could be taken from their parents and be given permanently to Protestants. But all those laws were undone in 1774.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Wow! That’s amazing. First, I see one post that breaks down the church affiliations of the signers and find out that one was a Catholic. Now, I find out who he was and how pivotal a figure he was in his time. Thanks for introducing me to a truly great man!
You’re welcome.
ping
Sad thing about all that is that Maryland was founded as a refuge for Catholics trying to escape persecution. The Calverts brought Jesuits with them.
Thanks for the post. I will add some other Founding Fathers and early American links in a bit.
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