Free Republic

The basic John Kennedy story says his speech on religious tolerance was a great step for Catholics in America. It's a very nice story; too bad it isn't true.“The Catholic Church benefited enormously from the JFK presidency,” pollster Larry Sabato wrote Monday morning. “Prejudice against Catholics declined and millions were exposed to church rituals. Church leaders welcomed the ‘JFK effect.'”“Now at last there is a second Catholic [president],” he continued, “and what do some in the hierarchy do? They ruin it.”“A little more than 60 years [after President John F. Kennedy’s speech on accepting Catholics in American politics], a second...

"Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion...are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments." —Charles Carroll, the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence In anticipation of Independence Day, here is another quote in a continuing series on the Founding Fathers of the American Republic. This one, from Charles Carroll, demonstrates the commonly held view that the propagation of Christian concepts of morality is absolutely vital for the maintenance of liberty. This particular quote is taken from a letter of...

Charles Carroll, Catholic Patriot: "My greatest satisfaction is that I have practiced the duties of my religion." While the whole nation was celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of American Independence, on the 4th of July, 1826, "the year of Jubilee," there remained but three surviving signers of the Declaration of Independence — Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Charles Carroll of Carrollton. These three names were mingled with the songs of national joy, and saluted with peals of artillery. But two of the illustrious trio saw not another sun. Adams and Jefferson passed from the scenes of the earth that same...

Charles Carroll was the only Roman Catholic to sign the Declaration of Independence. He was the longest living signer of the Declaration. In 1772, Charles Carroll condemned the British Government's oppressive taxes by writing in the Maryland Gazette under the pseudonym "First Citizen." When his identity became known, the British loyalist Daniel Dulany the Younger wrote mean-spirited personal ad-hominem attacks against Charles Carroll, ridiculing him. Charles Carroll's statesman-like response was to explain that because Dulany engaged in "virulent invective and illiberal abuse, we may fairly presume, that arguments are either wanting, or that ignorance or incapacity know not how to...

Every July 4th, citizens of the United States of America everywhere celebrate Independence Day, commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and separation from British rule. The Continental Congress had actually voted to approve a resolution of independence on July 2nd and declare the Thirteen Colonies a new nation, the United States of America. However, it would not actually come until two days later that the Declaration of Independence was drawn up, revised by the Continental Congress, and officially signed. Were any signers of the Declaration of Independence Catholic? Of the 56 total signatories of the Declaration of Independence,...

Every bride and groom hopes to strike gold and reach their 50th wedding anniversary. Every parent bringing home a baby from the hospital hopes their child reaches at least their 50th birthday and beyond. Every employee hopes their boss remembers their 50th anniversary of employment. Every florist hopes a husband buys fifty roses to honor the 50th birthday of his wife.

A Philadelphia high school teacher is under investigation after she reportedly ordered a student to take off a t-shirt supporting Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign and compared the shirt to a Ku Klux Klan sheet. The incident occurred at Charles Carroll High School in Port Richmond. When the student refused the order, she tried to throw the girl out of class. The teacher reportedly told the 16-year-old student that the high school was a “Democratic school” and then threatened to use a marker to cross out Romney’s name. Philadelphia School District spokesman Fernando Gallard confirmed to Philly.com that, “a teacher made...

Every July much is said by eloquent historians, civic and religious leaders, and—thanks to blogs and social media—Americans everywhere, about the Declaration of Independence, the meaning of the American Experiment, and the price of freedom. Independence Day is a moment to be grateful for the blessings of liberty and to remember the gifts many sacrificed so much to leave us. But this year we also mark the 180th anniversary of the death in 1832 of the last surviving signer of the Declaration. Charles Carroll’s life spanned nearly a century. By the fiftieth anniversary of July 4, 1776, Carroll had outlived...

Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime & pure, [and] which denounces against the wicked eternal misery, and [which] insured to the good eternal happiness, are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments. Charles Carroll of Carrollton, letter to James McHenry, November 4, 1800. Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the sole Catholic signer of the Declaration Independence, was an endlessly fascinating man. He led the fight for Catholic civil rights in Maryland and the new nation. A...

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...

Charles Carroll: A Catholic Patriot for American Liberty When the American colonies decided to throw off the yoke of England, and rid themselves of the oppressions on the mother country, it was deemed necessary that a declaration, informing the world of the reasons why they took such a step, should be make, and Thomas Jefferson was appointed to prepare the manuscript. In conformity with his instructions, he presented to Congress that immortal document for their consideration. The reader of history does not need to be reminded of the importance of the act, which each of the members of this Congress...

Tucked in the rolling hills of western Howard County, Doughoregan Manor is a hidden touchstone to America's founding. It is the ancestral home of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, one of the 56 revolutionaries who signed the Declaration of Independence. Some consider it Maryland's Monticello. Unlike the famed Virginia estate, however, the 892-acre Doughoregan (pronounced "Doe-RAY-gun") property is owned by the Founding Father's direct descendants, who still live there. The intensely private family is considering selling some of Doughoregan for development and seeking tens of millions of dollars from the state and county to permanently preserve the rest. Perched on the...

"A witness to Hitler and an official observer at the Nuremberg war crimes trials warns against what happens when a nation’s moral foundations are shattered But his years studying in Berlin in the shadow of Hitler have perhaps had the greatest effect in shaping him. Today, he has many things to say as our culture continues to wallow in abortion on demand and careens headlong toward physician-assisted suicide, euthanasia and even eugenics, the belief that we can "improve" the human race through science. The living room and study of his Colorado Springs home groan beneath the weight of books and...