Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-07

ments Of others only as they shall square with, or
differ from, his own; that ii is time enough for the
rightful purposes Of civil government, for its off,
Gers to interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and,
finally, that truth Is great and will prevail ifleft 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 disarmed Of
her natural weapons, free argument and debate,
errors ceasng TO be dangerous when it is permitted
freely to combat them.
Be IL, therefore, enacted by the General As
ssmbly, 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 moested or burdened in his body or goods
shall 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 thoughwe well 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 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. to narrow its ope-
rations, such an act will be an Infringement Of
natural right
The following preamble and resolutions,
adopted at a mass meeting Of the citizens Of
Washington, on the 9th day Of September
last, present tho general sentiments of the
" American party" in this city, and win doubt
less be read with interest by the friends Of
American principles throughout the country,
to wit:
Whereas, public meeting Of citizens Of Washing
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 subsequent
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, asa.l principles dear to the American
heart and necessary TO the safety Of the constitution
and 70 the peace and prosperity Of our country and
whereas the Executive is invoked therein remove
from public employment such oficehoders as enter
tain those principles thereby to perpetrate ruthless
prescription Of both Wings and Democrats for an
ho9est difference Of spinion: therefore
Rseotrsd That mere professions of love to the con-
shtution and to civil and religious freedom, when
contredicted BY actons cannot deceive the sensible
and vigilant guardians Of American liberty, whose
apprehension have been excited at behofding the
strides that havs been made toward complete con-
troll Of our government by the subjects Of foreign
potentate welEknown as the avowed enemy of our
whole Amsrie.n system, to whose overthrow they
Resolusd, Thst = vigilant custodans Of that bene
ncent systenn Of civil and religious freedom bequeath-
Cd 70 " ~ the athers of the republic it is our duty
70 meet and repel all insidous attacks upon lib
critics - well - su open ssssnlts and that we view
with indignation and alarm the assertion Of princi-
pies and purpcses the part of the recognised ex
ponents Of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
states, spbyer.ivs d eur republican institutions,
that n not now rsss5sd wi had at no distant day,
% the overthrow Of ~ American Constitution and
the complete establishment Of dsspotism.
ksao'ed Thas While In the past political divisions
struggled IN honest conis over contested principles
and measures, I'll Of which axv now settled, vet in
The present srsis Of danger TO al that both parties
hold dear W viii bury every remembrance Of past
fortunes and our sacred honoro net 10 cease our ex-
ertions until our country shall b freed from the
dangers that now menace IL
RssolDed, That we proclaim, the cardinal princi.
pies Of our political and moral creed sacred regard
for the constitution in all its provisions upon which
arc based our glorious American princples-freedom
o. spoech Freedom Of opinion, freedom of conscience,
nsssom q The press, togsthsr with school system
Bible the rule Of faith and practcc holding As an
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
sseentisl 70 the saocsss Of . free governmsnt
RseoIeed, That while we welcome 70 our country
the victims Of tyranny from foreign lands and offer
them place by side under the shield Of our
sttution, claim for Americans the right TO govern
their own country; and these who do not like our
government have our hearty consent 10 70 elsewhere
Rssosued That The fourth resolution Of the meeting
at Carusis Saloon recommending 10 the President of
the United States prescription OF all officers Of the
federal government who may have thought ft 70 be-
come members of the association Of Know Kpoth-
ing-e recommendation which, before its adoption,
bad been recognized and acted upon BY the Execu-
tive of The United States-proposes an alarming and
dangerous infrscton of the principles Of selfgovern
ment and calls for the prompt and decisive rebuke
Of all the free citizens Of these United Ststes without
distinction OF party, sect, or creed.
Resotced, That every Protestant denomination In
the United States maintains the constitutional prin
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 to the ecclesiastical
authsrty, both IN Europe and America; the sad and
ruineus effects of which, In the one, are seen In
countless emigrants flying from its tyranny and
misery 10 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 ceaseess
insurrcctions massacres and proverbsl instability
Of our Southern sister Republics.
Reso'ped, That upon these principles we appeal
from the opinions whose proclamation has caused
and, although we might infer they are exponent
Of executive feelings, from the eicial positions Of
those who controlled the proceedings yetwe will still
hope that the President, who alone has the power,
win arrest the prescription already begun Of faithful
oiceholders, 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 10 GRITTY the appetite Of Office
seekers at the eIpense II many who zeslousy and
efficiently aided In his elevation 20 power and whose
removal under existing circumstances will FIX an in
delible stain upon him az man and a. the President
Of the United States.
ReAolpsd, That having seen the denuncstions that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fusionists' II the North, who denounced alb
sorbcd in "the trsitorous factions" which distract
thoss States, by which they are after another be-
ing placed in opposition 10 the administration, we
were astonishcd to hear the pressing nvition in the
second resolution Of our opponents 70 men Of all po.
itical opinions without regard 10 their political