of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 727

EASTERN SHORE TERCENTENARY CELEBRATION

August 1, 1942

Chestertown

Maryland as a State, rejoices in the opportunity given it to participate in
this Tercentenary Celebration.

The founding of Kent County, three hundred years ago, was far more
than a mere settlement. The eventful happening of 1642 brought about more
than simply a political entity. What took place upon these shores, three
centuries ago, foreshadowed the development of Maryland into a provincial
Government. But, even more than that, this glorious settlement was the
forerunner of a unified Government of separate individual units'.

Kent County marked the beginning but the entire Eastern Shore was
the culmination of the settler's dream that citizens could live their own lives,
individually but at the same time a part of organized society.

The reason which prompts the statement that Maryland, as a State,
welcomes the opportunity to participate in these festivities! is that the entire
State has been the beneficiary of the splendid work of the sons and daughters
of the Eastern Shore. Without exception, every major undertaking of the
State has been characterized by the influence and the participation of re-
presentatives of the Eastern Shore. In statesmanship, in cultural activities1,
and in repeated adherence to the traditions of Maryland, no section of the
State has been more outstanding than the counties of the Shore through
their eminent representatives.

Whether be it in the field of religion where the lofty aims of the
Protestant Episcopal Church were furthered to such a great extent; whether
heroes in the theatre of war where Tench Tilghman, Stephen Decatur and other
heroes assumed leading roles; whether in portraiture where the works of Peale
attained distinction or in the every day undertakings in the professions, in
commerce or in business, the Eastern Shore need give place to no other section
in its contribution to the advancement of civilization or to the furtherance of
the State and of the Nation,

But, reverting to this celebration, well may we point in congratulation
to the establishment here of the world's first distinctly free political sub-division.
Pride may be taken not alone by what was done by these hearty freemen but
rather in the traditions of freedom which followed them. Further it must be
noted that their descendants cherished those traditions as they have been
cherished in no other State even in this liberty-loving land of America.

From the time they settled here up until and beyond the troubled days
of the Revolution, the freemen of Maryland were ever in the forefront to a-
chieve for this new land so staunch a sense of liberty that nothing hereafer
could wrest it out of the law of the Country or out of the hearts of the people.