Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-10

ments Of others only as they shall square with, or
diiier from his own; that il is time enough for the
rghtful purposes Of civil government, for its Off
GERS TO interfere when principles break out into
over overt acts against peace and good orderi and,
finally that truth is great and viii prevail If left to
herself that she is the proper and sufficient antag-
onist OF error, and has nothing to fear from the
conflict, unless by human nterpositiOn disarined of
her natural weapons free argument and debate,
errors ceasng to be dangerous when IL permitted
freely to combat them.
Be it therefore, enacted By the General As
sem6ty, That no man shall be compelled to fire.
quent or support any religious worship place. or
ministry whatsoever, nor shall he be enforced re-
strained, molested or burdcned in hsbody or goods,
nOrsha he otherwise suffer on account ofhs religious
opinions or belief but that all men shall be free to
profess, and by argument to maintain, their opin-
ions in matters Of religion and that the same shall
in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil
capacities.
And though we wen know this Assembly, elected
by the people for the ordinary purposes Of legis-
lation only, have no power to restrain the acts Of
succeeding assemblies, constituted with powers
equal to our own; and that, therefore, to declare
this act irrevocable would be Of no effect in law
yet are free to declare, and do declare, that the
rights hereby asserted are Of the natural rights Of
mankind, and that IL any act shall be hereafter
passed to repeal the present. to narrow its ope-
A"eAoAAop
natural right.
The following preamble and resolutions,
adopted at mass meeting of the citizens Of
Washington, on the 9th day Of September
last present the general sentiments Of the
American party" in this city, and viii doubt
less be read with interest by the friends of
American principles throughout the country,
to wit
Whereas, public meeting Of citizens of Washing
ton was held at Carusis Saloon on the fth instant
upon call made in and approved by the Executive
organ, the proceedings of which, in the resolutions
said TO have been adopted at that meeting and in the
speeches of certain selected orators at subsequent
adjourned meeting, now spread before the public
eye in the columns of said organ, and its kindred
presses with appreciation; and whereas said resolu-
hons however dressed up in abstract professions Of
patriotism, asUa4l principles dear to the American
heart and necessary to the safety Of the constitution
and to the peace and prosperity Of our country and
whereas, the Executive is invoked therein TO remove
from public employment such offceholders as enter
prescription Of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference of opinion therefore
ResoIoed That mere professions of love to the con-
sttution and to civil and religious freedom, when
contradicted by actions cannot deceive the sensible
and vigilant guardians of American liberty, whose
apprehensions have been excited at beho1ding the
strides that have been made toward complete con-
troll of our government by the subjects Of foreign
whole American system, TO whose overthrow they
soemnly devoted.
Reeotued, That, vigiant custodians Of that bene
cent system of civil and religious freedom bequeath
ed to us by the fathers Of the republic il is our duty
to meet and repe all insidious attacks upon our lib
critics as well as all open assaults and that we view
with indignation and alarm the assertion of princi-
pies and purposes on the part of the recognized ex
ponents of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
States, subversive of our republican institutions,
which constitute aggresslons OF such q character
that If not now resisted, will lead at no distant day,
the complete establishment of despotism
Resoloed, That while, in the past political divisions
Of the country, as Wings and Democrats, we have
struggled in honest conflict contested principles
and measures, all Of which are now settled, yet in
the present crisis Of danger TO all that both parties
hold dear we will bury every remembrance Of past
opposition, and pledge 70 each other our lives our
fortunes and our sacred honor" net TO cease our
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace it,
ResoIued, That we proclaim, as the cardinal princ-
Piles Of our political and moral creed sacred regard
are based our glorious American principles freedom
Of speech freedom of opinion freedom of conscience
freedom Of the press, together with school system
for the diffusion of intelligence sanctifed by open
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
essential TO the success Of free government
Resotped, That while we welcome to our country
the victims Of tyranny from foreign lands, and offer
11cH PhSS our siue TIC SHiefu oi our CON-
stituton, we claim for Americans the right TO govern
their own country; and these who do not Ike our
government have our hearty consent TO 20 elsewhere
il the pursuit of happiness.
RssoUed That the fourth resolution of the meeting
at Caruss 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 Knoth-
Ings--a recommendation which, before its adoption,
had been recognised and acted upon by the Execu-
tive of the United States-proposcs alarming and
dangerous infracon Of the principles Of sefgovern-
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
Resolved, That every Protestant denomination In
the United States maintains the constitutional prin
ciple of a separation Of Church and Statein which
principle many American Catholics sincerely concur
while on the other hand, the Papal Church abroad
openly, and always, and everywhere main aims the
doctrine Of obedenoe Of the civil TO te ecesiastical