Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-01-08
WASHINGToN, D @, MONDAY AETERNOON, JANUARY s. 1855

The following preamble and resolutions,
adopted at a 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 a public meeting Or citizens Of Washing
ton was held at Caru's Saloon, on the 18th instant
upon call made in and approved by the Executive
organ the proceedings q which, IN the resolutions
said 70 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-
tons, however dressed up in abstract professions oi
patriotism, asa.al 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 ofhceholders as enter
tain those principles thereby to perpctrae ruthless
prescription OF both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference Of opinion: therefcre-- . ist 8
Resooed That mere professions Of love to the con-
stitution and to civil and religious freedom, when
and vigilant guardians Of American liberty, whose
apprchensions have been excited ut beholding 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
are solemny devoted,
Resolccd, That as vigant cpstodians Of that bene-
fcent system Of fciyiand religious freedom beqdeath-
ed 10 by the fathers OF the republic IL is our dnty
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-
Piles and purposes on the part of the recognised ex-
ponents OF the Roman Catholic Church in the United
States suhyersive of our republican institutions.
which constitute aggressions of snch character
that If not resisted will Lead at no distant day
to the overthrow Of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment Of despotsm.
Resolued, That while in the past political divisions
of the country, as Wings and Democrats, we have
struggled in honest conflict over 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 viii bury every remembrance Of past
opposition, and pledge to each other our lives, our
ortunes and our sacred honor net to cease our ex-
ertons until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace it. styt al f3i E9g
ResotUed, That we proclaim, as the cardinal princi-
Piles of our political and moral creed sacred regard
for the constitution in all 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
for the diffusion of intelligence, sancthed by open
Bible the rule Of faith and practice holding an
established principle that intelligence and virtue
essential to the success Of free government
Rssolged, That while wo welcome TO our country
the victims Of tyranny from foreign lands, and offer
them place by our side under the shield Of our con-
stitution, we claim for AmercaRs the right 10 govern
their own country; and those who do not like our
government have hearty consent to 60 elsewhere
il the pursuit of happiness. 6
Kesotged, That tho fourth resolution of the meeting
at Carusis Saloon, recommending TO the Iresdeln o
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 kpoth
ngs--a recommendation which, before its adoption
had been recognised and acted upon by the Execu
dangerous infracon OF the principles Of selfgovern
uent, and calls for the prompt and decisive rebuke
Of all the free citizens oil these United States, without
distinction Of party, sect, or creed,
ResoI0ed, That every Protestant denomination in
the United States maintains the constitutional prn.
ciple Of separation of Church and Statc--n which
principle many American Catholics sincerely concur,
while on the other hand, the Papal Church abroad
openly and always and seyeTywhers ~ sintans the
authority, both in Europe and Amerca; the sad and
rtiinous effects OF which, In the one, are seen In
countless emgrants 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
wealth and vices Of the clergy, and in the ccsseless
insurrections, massacres, and proyerbiAl instability
Of our Southern sister Republics.
Resolosd, 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 yetwe will still
hope that the President, who alone has the power
will arrest the prescription already begun Of faithful
oiIice-hoders, both Democrats and Whigs for daring
10 entertain American and Protestant sentiments,
and viii reject the nercenary suggestion urged upon
him by the fourth resolution Of the meeting last week,
covert scheme to crafty the appetite Of Office
seekers mt the expense of many who zealously and
efficiently aided in his elevation 10 power and whose
removal under existing circumstances will fix an in
delble stain upon him as man and as the President
of the United States
Resoyped, That having seen the denuncations tina,
almost daily issue from certain presses against The
"fsionists" Of the North, who are denounecd ~ OBJ
those States by which they are one after another be
ing placed in opposition 10 the administration We
were astonsbed 10 hear the pressing inyiton in tht
second resolution OF opponents 70 Of All po
htical opinions, without regard To- their "politca
antecedents,n 70 form fusion" with thvsn 10 hci,
future sctionan invitation broad enough 10 include
Garrison, Abby Kelly, and Fred Doughs, bssides
their ooadjutors in the two houses Of Congress-
Sss A. That om we Ss sp b . FL as
the constitution, which established and maintains II
and the rights Of the States which compose H. and
especially to the religious, the moral and the order
loving classes 70 unite with US IN ssoting The 70
country, believing, do, that Y is high time the
career Of interested and INSCRIPTIONS demagogues
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 Amcrican-born citizens 70 govern Their
own country; therefore
Resogoed, That we win not vote for nor assist In
elevatng foreigners by birth TO offices of trust emo
ument, or honor under our government; nor will we
vote for or assist in eevatng TO such Offices any
Amsrican-born citizens who recognise or hold them.
selves under any allegiance whateyer 10 any foreign
prince, potentate power or authority. La ~
Resobped That the naturalization laws ought 10 be
totally repealed materially altered, and the term o
residence before admission TO the rights Of citizen.
ship be extended to the period Of twentyone years
fE- PERSONS residing in the First and
Second wards desiring 10 subscribe 10 the AmERr
CAV OpahNu will leave fhair uamea M William N