Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-09

ments Of Others only as they shall square with, or
differ nom, his own; that It Is time enough for the
rghtful purposes Of civil government, for its Off
cers TO interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and
finally, that truth ID great and will prevail II left 70
herself that she Ia the proper and sufficient sntag
onist OF error, and has nothing to fear from the
conflict, unless by human interposition disarmed Of
her natural weapons free argument and debate
errors ceasng to be dangerous whom IL Ia permitted
freely to combat them. - st h y.
BE u, Mrefore enacted BY The General As
ssmbiy, That no man shall be compelled to FREE
quent or support any religious worship, place, or
ministry whatsoever, nor shall he be enforced, re-
strained, molested burdened in body or goods
otherwise suffer on account ofhis 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 well know this Assembly. elected
by the people for the ordinary purposes Of legis-
lation only, have power TO restrain the acts Of
succeeding assemblies, constituted with powers
equal to our own; and that, therefore, to declare
this act rrevocable 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 its ope
rationa, 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 will 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 Caruss Saloon, the 10th instant
the Of
said to have been adopted at that meeting and in the
speeches of certain selected orators at subsequent
adjourned meeting, are now spread before the public
eye In the columns of said organ, and its kindred
presses, with appreciation and whereas said resolu-
ITEMS however dressed up in abstract professions OF
patriotism, asUal principles dear to 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 offceholders as entor-
tain those principles thereby TO perpetrate ruthless
prescription Of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference Of opinion: therefore
Resot0ed, That mere professions of love TO the
stitution 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 beholdng the
strides that have been made toward complete con-
troll of our government by the subjects Of foreign
potentate welLknown as the ayowed enemy of our
whole American system, TO whose overthrow they
are solemnly devoted.
Resolued That as vigilant custodians of that bene-
fcent system of civil and religious freedom bequcath
ed to us by the fathers of the republic ii is duty
to meet and repel all insdious attacks upon lib
critics as well all open assaults; and that we view
with indgnation and alarm the assertion of prnci-
Piles and purposes, on the part Of the recognised
Ponents of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
af ina tit.,t,n,
which constitute aggressons OF such character
that If not resisted will lead at distant day.
10 the overthrow Of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment of despotism.
ResotUed That WHILE In the past political divisions
of the country, 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
bold dear We will bury every remembrance of past
opposition, and "pledge TO each other our lives, our
fortunes, and our sacred honor" net 70
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace it.
ResotUed, That we proclaim, as the cardinal princi
Piles Of our political and moral creed, sacred regard
Tor the constitution in all its provisions upon which
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
Bible as the rule Of faith and practice, holding as an
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
essential 70 the success of free government
Resolped, That while we welcome TO our country
the victims Of tyranny from foreign lands and offer
them place by our side under the shield Of our con-
sttution, claim for Americans the right TO govern
their own country; and those who do not like
government have hearty consent 10 20 elsewhere
|, the pursuit of happiness.
Resosped, 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 70 be-
come members Of the association Of Know Kpoth-
ings-a recommendation which, before its adoption,
bad been recognised and acted upon by the Execu-
tive Of the United Statee-proposes 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.
Resotued That every Protestant denomination in
the United States maintains the constitutional prin-
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, are seen in
countless emigrsnts flying from its tyranny and
misery TO our own happy land, and in the other, in
the Ignorance and poverty Of the masses, in the
insurrections, massscres, and proverbal instability
Of our Southern sister Republics.
ResotDed, 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 exponent
Of executive feelings, from the official positions Of
those who controlled the proceedings yet will still
hope that the President who alone has the power
will arrest the prescription already begun Of faithful
ofceholders, both Democrats and Wings, for daring
70 entertain American and Protestant sentiments
and will reject the mercenary suggestion urged upon
him by the fourth resolution Of the meeting last week.
a covert scheme 70 crafty the appetite of Office
seekers at the expense Of many who zealously and
efficiently aided in his elevation 10 power, and whose
removal under existing circumstances will fix in
deble stain upon him as man and AZ the President
Of the United States.
ResoIped, That having seen the denunciations that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fusionstsD Of the North, who are denounced alb
sorbed in "the traitorous factions" which distract
those States, by which they after another be-
ing placed in opposition 10 the administration, we
astonished TO hear the pressing invition in the
second resolution Of opponents TO men OF all po-