Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-16

~cs~-AA~e PSoSO
finally that truth is great and viii prevail ificft to
herself that she Is the proper and sufficient antag-
onist OF error, and has nothing to fear from the
conflict unless by human interposition disar1ned of
her natural weapons, free argument and debate.
errors ceasng to be dangerous when il Is permitted
freely TO combat them. x taN8 g
Be Il, therefore, enacted By the General As
sepsbly, 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.
norsha he otherwise suffer on account 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 wen 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 II any act shall be hereafter
passed to repeal the present. or to narrow It's opc-
rations, such an act win 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 the 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: f5
Whereas public meeting Of citizens OF Washing
ton was held at Caruss Salson on the 10th instant
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
speech certain selected orators at subsequent
adjouf citing, are now spread before the public
eye IN a columns of said organ, and its kindred
presses, with apprCbation and whereas ssid resol-
tens however dressed up In sbstact professions Of
PATRIOTISM asuall principles dear 70 the American
and TO the peace and prosperity Of country and
whereas, the Executve Is invoked therein to remove
nom public employment such ofcsholders as enter
@ 11ss e Ss Ssssy sgy ruthless
honest difierence Of opinion therefare- Il
heeotved That mere professions Of love to the con-
stsuticn and 70 civil and religious freedom, when
coIuaoc.ea ny actions csnnot deceive the sensible
apprehensions 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 eolemnly devoted.
Resotued, That as vigant custodians Of that bene-
icent system Of civil and religious freedom bequeath
ed 70 us by the fathers Of the repnblc 1t Is our duty
70 meet and repei all insidious attacks upon our lib
critics ~ well as all open assauts; and that we view
with Indignation and alarm the assertion Of princ-
Piles and purposes, on the part Of the recognised ex
ponents Of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
States, subversive Of eur republican institutions
which constitute aggressions of such . character
that u not now resisted will lead ut no distant day
70 the overthrow Of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment of despotism fa
vxh in tha
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
me present crisis Of danger TO all that both parties
opposition and "pledge TO each other cur lives,
fortunes and our sacred honor net TO cease our
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace it.
Rssoloed, That proclaim, as the cardinal princi-
Piles OF our political and moral creed sacred regard
for the constitution In all It's provisions upon which
are based our glorious American principles
4 S q .osoo q
for the difson Of intelligence sanctifed by an open
Bible the rule Of fifth and PRACTICE holding as an
established principle that intelligence and virtue
essential 10 the success Of free government
RssoJpsd, 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 con-
stitution, we claim for Americans the right TO govern
thcir own country; and those who do not Ike our
-
IN the pursuit Of happiness.
Rspaced, That the fourth resolution Of the meeting
at Csuss Saloon, recommending 10 the President OF
federal government who may have q thoU9ht 'fs a. 20 Se
come members OF the association Of Know Knoth-
ngs-a recommendation which, before its adoption,
had been recognised and acted upon by the Execu-
dangerous infracton Of the principles Of seifgo,ern
ment ssd calls for the prompt and decisive rebuke
Of All the Tree citizens OF these United States without
distinction Of party, sect, or creed.
the United States maintains the constitutional prn
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 slways and sverywhsrs maintains the
authority, 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
sS %Ssey 20 our own a hsp land and IN the other n
wealth and vices of the clergy, and in the oeaseless
nsurrections, nassacres and proverbia instability
Of our Southern sister Republics
Rssct1sd, That upon these principles we appeal
nom the opinions whose proclamation has caused
this meeting, 70 the people Of the United States;
and, although we might infer they are an exponent
Of executive feelings, from the efioia positions Of
s ss the v s
will arrest the prescription already begun Of faithful
ofice-hoders, both Democrats and Whfgs for daring
70 entertain American and Protestant sentiments,
and will reject the mcrccnary suggestion urged upon
him by the fourth resolution of the meeting last week.
as covert scheme 10 crafty the appetite Of Office
seekers at the expense Of many who zealousy and
efficiently aided In his elevation 10 power and whose
removal under existing circumstances will fx an in
delbe stain upon him AZ man and as the President
of the United States
ReOlved, That having sesn the denuncations that
almost daily issue from certain presses agninst the
"fusionists' Of the North, who 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
were sstonshcd 70 hear the pressing nvition in the
second resolution Of opponents 70 men Of all po
hticai opinions, without regard 70 their political
antecedents" 70 form 'fnsien" with them in their
future sctionan invitation broad enough 10 include
Garrison, Abby Kelly, and Fred Douglas, besides
their coadiutors In the two houses Of Congress-
Rssoiced, That We, too, appeal 10 all Americans
who love the Union, which 'nust be preserved" and
the constitution, which established and maintains II
and the rights Of tho States which compose IL and
especially TO the religious, the moral and the order
loving classcs 10 unite with MS in enecting the re-
ferns necessary 70 the safety and prosperity Of
country, believing, as we do that II 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 It's countless blessings.