472 State Papers and Addresses

ANNUAL TOURNAMENT—CALVERT COUNTY

August 30, 1941

Mutual, Md.

THE exploits of the sons of Calvert County, emulating the knights of old,
remind us today in this historic setting of the precious possessions handed

down to us from former generations.
•
Today we exemplify the real meaning of human brotherhood. Nationalistic

prejudices in a world of brothers are the gravest and most unreasoning bar-
riers to peace. Looking about today we are all aware of a real neighborliness.
We are animated by good will in our resolve to cultivate nobility of mind and
largeness of heart.

Calvert County has always been synonymous with courtesy, hospitality,
and chivalry. Patriotism has for decades lent color to Calvert's escutcheons in
a world of unrest and strife. Amid the picturesque setting of this tournament
my mind calls forth the memory that Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney, of
the Supreme Court was born in Calvert County. With so many of these fine
citizens gathered together, profound indeed, must be our gratitude to this
county that has given so much to Maryland.

Our State has maintained its high place among the Commonwealths of the
Country by reason of its adherence to the principles inculcated in our citizen-
ship by previous generations. No county of this State has richer traditions
which are the proud boast of Marylanders than Calvert County which, histori-
cally, is the very symbol of the Maryland-bred principle that toleration should
be a watchword of our citizenship.

The present time is remarkably suited for recalling those who gave so
much to Maryland and their own name was taken for the banner of this locality
—the Calverts. They came to Maryland because of oppression and today the
world sees again examples of unusual political and social series of order. Every
conceivable plan is being discussed and, in many places, different methods are
being put into practice than those that prevail in our land. Well might it be
said that nations everywhere are at a turning point in their histories.

However, America will be safe if it holds steadfast to the principles of the
Calverts and to the example set by the settlers of this County, who were in-
sistent upon individual liberty. They recognized that governments were made
for man and not man for governments. The three rights essential to demo-
cratic government everywhere were established in early Maryland. These
were, firstly, the right of people to initiate their own laws through their own
legal representatives; secondly, the right of people to convene their own Legis-
latures; and thirdly, the right of the people to have no laws imposed upon them
which their own representatives do not approve and pass.

Without equivocation and without fear of successful contradiction, it can
be said that democratic government, liberty and democracy would have been