Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-12-30
WASHNGTON, SATURDAY, AFTERNOON DECEMBER sO 1854

~. n WASHING
The following preamble and resolutions,
adopted at a mass meeting Of the citizens Of
Washington, on the 27th day of September
last present the general sentiments Of the
American party in this city, and viii doubt
less be read with interest by tho friends Of
American principles throughout tho country,
to wit: s8e ss q
Whereas, public meeting Of citizens of Washing
upon ! call made in and approved BY tho Eecutiye
organ the proceedings OF which, in the resolutions
said 10 have been adopted at that meeting and in the
speeches OF certain selected orators at subsequent
eye in the columns Of said organ, and its kindred
presses with appreciation; and whereas said resol-
tons, however dressed up in abstract professions Of
patriotism, assail principles dear 70 the American
heart and necessary to the safety Of the constitution
and TO the peace and prosperity Of country and
whereas, the Executive is invoked therein TO remove
from public employment such ofceholders enter
tain those principles thereby to perpetrate ruthless
prescription Of both Wings and Democrats for an
| honest difference OF opinion therefore 4ils
Resotued That mere professions Of love TO the con-
stitution and TO civil and religious freedom, when
contradictcd BY actions, cannot deceive the sensible
and vigilant guardians Of American liberty, whose
| apprehensions have been excited ut beholdng the
strides that have been made toward complete con-
trOl OF government Dy the SUBJECTS OF
potentate wellknown as the svowed enemy Of our
| whole. American system, TO whose overthrow they
4 are solemnly devoted.
ResolDea, That vigilant cusodians Of that bene-
ed to us by the fathers Of the republic it is our duty
to meet and rcpel all insdi0us attacks upon lib
critics well as all open assaults; and that we view
with indignation and alarm the assertion Of prnci
ponents Of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
States, subyersiye Of our republican institutions,
which constitute aggressons Of such 2. character
to lie overthrow of the American Consttution and
1 the complete establishment of despotism. NJ r,sf
Resol0ed, That while, in the past political divisions
| Of the country, as Wings and Democrats, we have
struggled in honest conflict contested prnciples
and measures, all of which now settled, yet in
the present crisis of danger to all that both parties
bold dear we will bury every remembrance Of past
opposition, and pledge to each other our lives,
fortunes, and our sacred honor not 70 cease
ertons until our country shall be freed from the
| dangers that new menace it. aa t'
Resolved, That we proclaim, as the cardinal princi-
pies of our political and moral creed sacred regard
for the constitution in an its provisions, upon which
are based our glorious American principles freedom
Of speech freedom of opinion, freedom Of conscience,
freedom Of the press, together with school system
Bible as the rule of faith and practice, holding
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
essential TO the success of free government.
ResoLoed That while. we welcome to our country
them place by side under the shield Of
stitution claim for Americans the right TO govern
their own country; and those who do not like our
have our hearty consent to 80 elsewhere
Resolved That the fourth resolution of the meeting
at Carusis Saloon, recommending to the President Of
the United States prescription Of all officers Of the
federal government who may have thought fit to be-
come members of the association of Know sKnoth-
ings-a recommendation which, before its adoption,
had been recognised and acted upon by. the Execu.
tive of the United States proposes an alarming and
dangerous iniraction Of the principles Of segoyern-
ment and calls for the prompt and decisive rebuke
of all the free citizens OF these United States without
distinction Of party sect, or creed. r4ga
ResolUed That every Protestant denomination in
the United States maintains the constitutional prin-
ciple of separation Of Church and State lin which
principle many American Catholics sincerely concur,
while on the other hand the Papal Church abroad
doctrine of obedience of the civil TO the ecclesiastical
authority, both in Europe and America; the sad and
ruinous effects of which, in the one, are seen in
countless emigrants flying from it's tyranny and
misery to own happy land, and in the other, in
the ignorance and poverty of the masses, in the
wealth and vices of the clergy, and in the ceaseess
nsnrrections, massacres and proverbial instability
of our Southern sister Republics. tl r, y,
ResoIoed, That upon these principles we appeal
from the opinions, whose proclamation has caused
this meeting TO the people of the United States
and, although we might infer they are an exponent
Of executive feelings, from the official positions Of
those who controlled the proceedings yet we win still
hope that the President who alone has the power,
will arrest the prescription already begun Of faithful
ofce-holders both Democratic and Wings, for daring
10 entertain American and Protestant sentiments,
and will reject the mercenary suggestion urged upon
him by the fourth resolution Of the meeting last week.
as covert scheme TO crafty the appetite of office
efficiently aided 10 his elevation TO power and whose
removal under existing circumstances will fix an in-
delble stain upon him ~ man and the President
of the United States.
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fusionists" Of the North who are denounced as abb
sorbed in the traitorous factions" which distract
those States by which they one after another be-
ing placed in opposition 10 the administration, we
were astonished 70 hear the pressing inviton in the
second resolution Of our opponents 10 men Of all po-
litca opinions, without regard 70 their "political
sntecedents," to form "fusien" with them In their
future action-an invitation broad enough TO include
Garrison, Abby Kelly and Fred. Douglas, besides
their eosdiutors in the two houses Of Congress- sa
Rs,olvsa That We sgo appeal . all Amsrcans .ss
the constitution, which established and maintains IT.
and the rights Of the States which compose II, and
especially TO the religious, the moral, and the order
loving classes, 10 unite with in efcctng the re
ferns necessary TO the safety and prosperity of onr
country believing do, that II is high time the
career Of Interested and INSCRIPTIONS dernagugues
should be checked, and the government be placed in
the hands Of men acquainted with its character and
spirit and who duly value its countless blessings.
And whereas we believe in the competency, ability,
and right Of Anerican-born citizens 10 govern their
own country: therefore Nt
Rssolped That we will not vote for nor assist in
elevstng foreigners by birth TO Offices Of trust emol
ument or honor under our government; nor win we
vote for or assist in elevsting to such Offices any
American-born ctizens who recognise or hold them
selves under any allegiance whatever TO any foreign
prince, potcntats power, or authority.
ResoJved That the naturalization laws ought 10 be
totally repealed materially altered and the term Of
residence before admission 10 the rights Of citizen
ship be extended 10 the period Of twenty.onc years
B.PERs0Ns residing in the First and