Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-19

ments Of others only as they shall square with, or
differ from, his own that it is time enough for the
rghtfal 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 viii prevail If left TO
herself that she is the proper and sufficient antag
onlst OF error, and has nothing to fear from the
conflict, unless by human interpostion disarmed Of
her natural weapons, free argument and debate,
errors ceasing to be dangerous when it is permitted
freely TO combat them.
BE u, therefore, enacted BY the General As-
seps6iy, 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 orburdened in his body Or goods
norshal he on account ofhis religious
opinions or belief but that all men shall be free to
profess, and by argument to maintain, their 0pin-
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-
ation 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 irrevocabe would be of no effect in law
yet 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
rations, such an act will be an infringement of
natural right.
The following preamble and resolutions,
adopted at o 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 Oarsrs Saloon on the 10th instant
upon call made n. and approved by the Executive
organ, the proceedings of which, in the resolutions
sGd to have been adopted at that meeting and in the
speeches Of certain selected orators subsequent
eye in the columns Of said organ, and lis kindred
presses with appreciation and whereas said resolu-
ens however dressed up in abstract professions Of
patriotism, asiail 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 officeholders as enter
tain those principles thereby to perpetrate ruthless
prescription OF both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference of opinion: therefore
Resotued, That mere professions of lore TO the con-
stitution and to civil and religious freedom, when
contadcted by nctions, cannot deceive the sensible
and yigilant guardians Of American liberty, whose
strides thnt have been made toward complete con-
troll of our government by the subjects Of foreign
potentate well-known as the avowed enemy Of our
whole American system, to whose overthrow they
Resolues That as vigilant custodans Of that bene-
fcent system of civil and religious freedom bequeath-
cd TO us by the fathers of the republic II is our duty
to meet and repel all insdeus 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
ponents of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
States, subversive Of sur republican institutions,
VIII which constitute aggressons Of such character
70 the overthrow of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment of despotism.
Resotsed 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
he present crisis Of danger TO all that both parties
bold dear we will bury every remembrance Of past
opposition, and pledge 70 each other our lives our
fortunes, and our sacred honor net to cease our ex
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace il
ResoScei, That we proclaim, as the cardinal princ
pies of our political and moral creed sacred regard
for the constitution in all its provisons 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, sanctfed by open
Bible the rule of faith and practice holding as an
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
essential to the success Of free government
Resotced, 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 con-
stituton, claim for Americans the right 10 govern
their own country; and these who do not Like our
government have our hearty consent TO 20 elsewhere
in the pursuit of happiness. .
Rssoued, That the fourth resolution Of the meeting
At Carusis Saloon, recommending TO the President Of
the United States prescription of all officers Of the
federal government who may have thought at 70 be-
come members Of the association of Know Knoth-
ngs.-a recommendation which, before its adoption,
had been recognised and acted upon by the Execu-
tive of the United States-proposcs an alarming and
dangerous infracton Of the principles Of sefgovern-
rnent and calls for the prompt and decisive rebuke
Of all the free citizens Of these United States without
distinction Of party, sect or creed.
Resotced, 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,
openly, and always, and everywhere maintains the
doctrine OF obedience Of thee 70 the ecclesiastical
authority, both in Europe and America; the sad and
rusneus effects OF which, in the one, are seen In
connsless emigrsnts 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 ceaseess
insurrectons massacres, and proverbial instability
Of our Southern sister Republics.
Resotced, 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 yet we will still
hope that the President who alone has the power,
viii arrest the prescription already begun of faithful
ofaceholders both Democrats and Wings, for daring
70 entertain American and Protestant sentiments,
and will reicct the mercenary suggestion urged upon
him by the fourth resolution OF the meeting last week.
~ covert scheme 10 crafty the appetite Of Office
seekers at the expense sf many who zealously and
efficiently aided In his elevation TO 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.
fesoIped That having seen the denunciations that
almost daily Issue from certain presses against the
fusionists' Of the North who are denounced as abb
sorbed in "the traitorous factions" which distract
those States by which they are enc after another be-
ing placed in opposition 10 the administration, we
were astonshed to hear the pressing inytion in the
second resolution Of our opponents to men Of all po-
htcal opinions without regard TO their "politcal
Antecedents" 10 form "fnsienp with them in their
future sctionan invitation bread enough 10 include
Garrison, Abby Kelly, and Fred. Douglas, besides
their coadiutors in the two houses Of Congress.
ResoIred, That we, too, appeal 70 all Americans
who love the Union which 'must be preserved and
the constitution which established and maintains it
and the rights Of the States which compose H. and