Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-23
Jay AFTERNOON, FEBRUARY %, 1855.

ments Of others only as they shall souare with q,
differ from, his own; that it is time enough. for The
rghtfui purposes of civil government, Tor its Off
GERS 70 Interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and,
herself that she is the proper and suiojent antag.
onist OF error, and has nothing to fear from the
conflict unless by human interpositon disarmed oI
her natural weapons, free argument and debate.
errors ceasing TO be dangerous when It is permitted
freely to combat them.
Be u, therefore, enacted 6y 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 burdened in his BODY or goods
norshall he otherwise suffer ofsreipions
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 well know this Assembly. elected
py the people for the ordinary purposes Of legis-
lation only, have power to restrain the acts ~
succeeding assemblies, constituted with powers
equal to our own and that, therefore, to declare
this act irrevocabe would be Of no effect in law
Yet we are free to declare and do declare that the
rights hereby asserted are Of the natural rights Of
mankind, and that if any act shall be hereafter
passed to repeal the present, or to narrow It's ope-
rations, such an act will be an Infringement Of
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 win doubt
less be read with interest by the friends Of
American 4 principles throughout the country,
to wit:
Whereas, public meeting of citizens Of Washing
ton WAS held at Carusis Saloon on the 10th instant
upon call made in and approved by the Executive
organ the proceedings Of which, in the resolutions
sad TO have been adopted at that meeting and in the
speeches OF certain selected orators at subseouent
sdlourned meeting, are now spread before the public
eye IN the columns of said organ and its kindred
presses, with appreciation and whereas said resolu-
uens however dressed up in abstract professions of
patrlotsm, asuaA principles dear to the American
heart and necessary to the safety Of the constitution
Whereas the Executive is invoked therein TO remove
irom public employment such oficeholders as enter
tam those principles thereby to perpetrste ruthless
proscl1Pnon OF both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference Of opinion therefore Il
Resotued That mere professions of love TO the con-
sutution and to civil and religious freedom. when
contradcted BY actions, cannot deceive the sensible
ana y,gilant guardians Of American liberty, whose
strides that have been made toward complete oon-s
troll OF our government by the subjects Of foreign
potentate wellknown as the ayowed enemy of our
are solemnly devoted.
Resotoed, That as vigilant custodians of at bene
fcent system Of civil and religious freedom bequeath
ed 70 us by the fethe Of the republic 1t is our duty
TO meet and repel ~ insdious attacks upon our lib
critics as well - III opsn assaults and that we view
with indignation and dprm the assertion of princi-
Piles and purpo,ss a thesfert Of the recognised
gonenss OF tne hoena Catholic Church in the United
States, subvsrsfvs Of s~ republican institutions,
which constitnis aegrsssicns Of such character
that not NOW rsSs3d win lad, at no distant day
70 the overthrow q the American Constitution and
Rssas fss ~s4 4 IL psss psseISiM poitoal divisions
Of the country, = W6lgs and Den,ocrats, we have
struggled In honest oonct over contested principles
and measure1 an q which m now settled, yet in
hold dear ws win buzy svuy rsu,embrance of past
opposition, and ple1Ge TO secA other our lives our
fortunes and cur naGsd honor net to cease our ex-
sraons unsi our country shAn be freed from the
Rssolced Tha4 W proclaim, q the cardinal prnci-
pies Of our political and moral creed sacred regard
for the constituton In all In provisions upon which
of speech freedom Of opinion, freedom Of conscience,
freedom Of the press together with school system
for the diffusion ofintelgence, sanctihed by open
Bible as the rule Of faith md practice holding as an
essential TO the success Of free govcrnment
ResoSvsd, That while we welcome 10 our country
the victims Of tyranny from foreign lands, and offer
H0letO
stuton, we claim for Americans the right 10 govern
their own country; and these who do not like our
government have hearty consent 10 20 elsewhere
IN the pursuit Of happiness.
at Caruss Saloon, recommending TO the President Of
the United States prescription OF all officers Of the
federal Rovernment who may have thought ft to be-
come members Of the association Of Know Knoth-
ings-a recommendation which, before its adoption,
had been recognized and acted upon by the Execu-
tive OF the United States-proposes an alarming and
dangerous infrscton Of the principles of sefgovern
Of all the free citizens oi these United States without
distinction Of party, sect or creed 1e
Resotued That every Protestant denomination in
the United States maintains the constitutional prn-
ciple Of separation OF Church and State-in which
principle many American Catholics sincerely concur
while on the other hand the Papal Church abroad
openly, and always, and everywhere maintains the
doctrine of obedience Of the civil 70 the ecclesiastical
authority, both In Europe and America; the sad and
| ruineus effects Of which, In the one, seen in
countless emigrants flying from It's tyranny and
misery 70 our 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 cesseless
| instructions, massacres, and proverbal instability
Of our Southern sister Republics
ResoIped, 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
hope that the President, who alone has the power,
will arrest the prescription already begun of faithful
ofiicehoders, both Democrats and Wings for daring
| 20 entertain American and Protestant sentiments
and will reject the mercenary suggestion urged upon
him by the fourth resolution Of the meeting last week,
covert scheme TO crafty tho appetite Of office
seekers at the expense Of many who zeaousy and
efficiently aided in his elevation 10 power and whose
removal under existing circumstances will fx in
delble stain upon him as man and as the President
| of the United States.
feso5ced That having seen the denunciations that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fusonists" ef the North, who denounced as alb
sorbed in "the tratorous factions" which distract
those States, by which they after another be-
ing placed in opposition to the administration, we
were astonshed TO hear the pressing invition in the
second resolution Of our opponents to of all po-
htical opinions, without regard TO their political
sntecedents" 10 form "fusien" with them in their
10 Ind