Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-05-07

ments OF Others only as they shall square WITH or
differ from, his own that II is time enough for the
rghtfdl purposes of civil government, for its Off
Gers to interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and,
nnaiy that truth is great and win prevail If left to
herself that she is the proper and sufficient antag
onst OF error, and has nothing to fear from the
conflict, unless by human nterposition disarmed Of
her natural weapons, free argument and debate,
errors ceaslng to be dangerous when 1t is permitted
freely TO combat them
Bs st, therefore, enacted 6y the General As
ssm6ty 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 on account ofs religious
opinions or belief but that all shall be freeto
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-
iation 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 of the natural rights of
mankind, and that if any act shall be hereafter
passed to repeal the present. or to narrow its 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 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 Carusi's Saloon on the 10th instant,
upon a 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, 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
whereas the Executive is invoked therein to remove
from public employment such ofiiceholders as enter
tain those principles, thereby to perpetrate ruthless
prescription OF both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference OF opinion: therefore s
Resotred That mere professions of love to the con-
sttution and to civil and religious freedom, when
by actions, cannot deceive the sensible
and vigilant guardians Of American liberty whose
apprehensions have been excited at beholding the
strides that have been made toward a complete con-
troll OF our government by the subjects of foreign
potentate well-known as the ayowed enemy of our
are soemnly devoted.
Resolved, That as vigant custodians Of that bene-
fcent system Of civil and religious freedom bequeath
ed TO US BY the fathers Of the republic it is duty
to meet and repe all nsidious attacks upon our lib
critics as well as all open assaults and that we view
with indignation and alarm the assertion of prnci-
pies and purposes, on the part Of the recognised
ponents of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
States, subversive of cur republican institutions,
which constitute aggressions of such character
that If not resisted, will lead at no distant day
TO the overthrow of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment Of despotsm.
Resotoed, 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 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 "pedge to each other cur lives our
fortunes and our sacred honor net TO cease our ex
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
ResoJved, That proclaim, as the cardinal prnci-
pies 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 sanctified by an open
Bible as the rule Of faith and practice, holding
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
essential to the success Of free government
hssotued, That while we welcome 10 our country
the victims Of tyranny from foreign lands and offer
them place by our side under the shield of our
sttuton, we claim for Americans the right 10 govern
their own country; and these who do not Ike our
government have hearty consent TO 20 elsewhere
in the pursuit Of happiness.
Resscsd That the fourth resolution Of the meeting
1t Oaruss saloon, recommending 10 the President of
the United States prescription OF all officers of the
federal government who may have thought it 10 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-proposes an alarming and
dangerous infracon Of the principles of selfgovern-
ment and calls for the prompt and decisive rebuke
o. all the free citizens OF these United States without
distinction OF party, sect or creed
Hesolued, 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 cencur
while on the other hand, the Pspal Church abroad
openly, and always, and everywhere maintains the
doctrine Of obedience Of the civil TO the ecclesiastical
authority, both In Europe and America the sad and
countless emgrants flying from its 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 ceaseless
insurrections massacres, and proverbial instability
of our Southern sister Republics
hesotsed, That upon these principles we appeal
from the opinions, whose proclamation has caused
sson y. %,bs RsGPs r d the Unss
OF executive feelings, from the official positions Of
those who controlled the proceedings yet we will still
hope that the President, who alone has the power
will arrest the prescription already begun Of faithful
ofice-holders, 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 GRITTY the appetite Of Office
seekers at the expense Of many who xealously and
efficiently aided In his elevation 10 power and whose
removal under existing circumstances will fix an in
debie stain upon him as man and as the President
fssotped That having seen the denuncations that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
fnsionsts' If the North who are denounced as abb
sorbed in "the traitorous factions" which distract
hoss States by which they are enc after another be-
ing placed in opposition TO the administration, we
were ssonished 10 hear the pressing invition In the
second resolution Of opponents 70 men Of all po
Htical opinions, without regard to their political
anteccdents," 10 form fusien" with them in their
future acton-an invitation broad enough 70 include
Garrison, Abby Kelly, and Fred Douglas, besides
their coadiutors in the two houses Of Congress.
hesotuedt That we, too, appeal TO all Americans
who love the Union, which must be preserved" and
the constitution, which established and maintains IL,
and the rights Of the States which compose IT. and
especially 10 the religious, the moral and the ordera
loving classes, 70 unite with ms in efecting the re-
firms necessary 10 the safety and prosperity Of our
..U0..A& 1-f.-