Today in my rush to get my Louisiana Catholic update out , I missed a few posts that were at Astonished, Yet at Home! blog. I shall post them tomorrow in the tomorrow's roundup. However there is one post I wanted to highlight tonight for a couple of reasons. That is his post Remember, Remember the Fifth of November! . It is about Guy Fawkes Day and has a link to an article in Harpers magazine. Now the article is a tad over the top as to President Bush.
However his part on the history of the day is important. As the author points out Guy Fawkes day used to be an very anti Catholic day in England. It is not like that anymore. However in the colonies(now the US) and especially in parts of New England this song was indeed sung.
Remember, remember the fifth of November,
The gunpowder, treason and plot,
I know of no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes,
’twas his intent
To blow up the King and Parliament
Three score barrels of powder below,
Poor old England to overthrow;
By God’s providence he was catch’d
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holloa boys, holloa boys,
make the bells ring.Holloa boys, holloa boys,
God save the King!Hip hip hoorah!
A penny loaf to feed the Pope.
A farthing o’ cheese to choke him.
A pint of beer to rinse it down.
A faggot of sticks to burn him.
Burn him in a tub of tar.
Burn him like a blazing star.
Burn his body from his head.
Then we’ll say ol’ Pope is dead.
Hip hip hoorah!
Hip hip hoorah hoorah!
When this country was battling for its Independence George Washington took note of this Holiday. What was his reaction? Here it is:
Order in Quarters issued by General George Washington, November 5, 1775:
As the Commander in Chief has been apprized of a design form’d for the observance of that ridiculous and childish custom of burning the Effigy of the pope–He cannot help expressing his surprise that there should be Officers and Soldiers in this army so void of common sense, as not to see the impropriety of such a step at this Juncture; at a Time when we are solliciting, and have really obtain’d, the friendship and alliance of the people of Canada, whom we ought to consider as Brethren embarked in the same Cause. The defence of the general Liberty of America: At such a juncture, and in such Circumstances, to be insulting their Religion, is so monstrous, as not to be suffered or excused; indeed instead of offering the most remote insult, it is our duty to address public thanks to these our Brethren, as to them we are so much indebted for every late happy Success over the common Enemy in Canada.
As the Commander in Chief has been apprized of a design form’d for the observance of that ridiculous and childish custom of burning the Effigy of the pope–He cannot help expressing his surprise that there should be Officers and Soldiers in this army so void of common sense, as not to see the impropriety of such a step at this Juncture; at a Time when we are solliciting, and have really obtain’d, the friendship and alliance of the people of Canada, whom we ought to consider as Brethren embarked in the same Cause. The defence of the general Liberty of America: At such a juncture, and in such Circumstances, to be insulting their Religion, is so monstrous, as not to be suffered or excused; indeed instead of offering the most remote insult, it is our duty to address public thanks to these our Brethren, as to them we are so much indebted for every late happy Success over the common Enemy in Canada.
George Washington was beloved by early American Catholics. His early actions helped to make sure that Catholics played an active role in the history of this great land. Something we should remember also on Guy Fawkes day.
Guy Fawkes day was certainly a black eye day for Catholics in the English speaking world. It was an attempt by Catholic conspiritors to bloww up the Parliament of England while King James was there. By killing off the whole government in one giant explosion, they hoped to bring England back under Catholic rulers.
ReplyDeleteoThe plot was undone at the last minute and the government was saved.
Washington was wise to put an end to the celebration of this day. It was very anti-Catholic and celebrated the worst examples of both protestant and Cathlic bigotry.
Coram Deo,
Kenith