Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-28

ments Of others only as they shall square with. or
differ from, his own that It is time enough for the
rghtfa purposes Of civil government, for its off,
Gers to Interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and,
hnay, that truth is great and will prevail If left to
herself that she Is the proper and sufficient antag-
onist OF error, and has nothing to fear from the
conflict, unless by human interpostion dsarmed 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
se'nbLy, 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
nor shall he otherwise suffer on account ofhisregous
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 well know this Assembly elected
by the people for the ordinary purposes of legis-
lation only, have 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 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 tho 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 Carusi's Saloon on the 10Th instant
upon a call made in and approved bv the Executive
organ the proceedings Of which in the resolutions
said to have been adopted at that meeting and in the
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
ens, however dressed up in abstract professions Of
patriotism, asua. principles dear To the American
heart and necessary to tie safety of the constnton
and to the peace and prospArtv f o,,r country and
whereas the Executive is invoked therein 10 remove
from public employment such officehoders ss enter
tain those principles thereby TO perperate ruthless
prescription of both Whi9s and Oemocrats for an
honest difference of opinion: I: therefare-
ResotUed That mere professions Of love to the con-
contradicted by actious cannot deceive ths ssns;hl
and vipilant g,lardians Of Amercan Ibertv yybo.e
apprehension have been excited AZ behof3;no the
strides that have been made toward oomplete con
troll Of our government by the subjects al foreign
potentate well-known "a the ayowed enemy Of our
whole American syste,n ~ ,bosa ovarshryo - .Ser @
are solemnly devoted ~ - =
Resolped, That, as vigant custodsns of that bene-
cent system of civil and religious freedom beaueath
ed to us by the fathers Of the repubc Il Il orr duty
to meet and repel all insidious attacks upon onr b
critics as well as all open assaults and that we view
with indignation and alarm the assertion az nrinci
Piles and purposes, on the part Of the recognised eX
ponents of the Roman Catholic Church in tie United
States, subversive of cur republican institutions
which constitute aggressions of such a character
to the overthrow of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment of despotism.
Rssotued That WHILE in the past political divisions
Of the country as Wings and Dernocrats we have
struggled In honest conflict over contested prncples
and measures all Of which are now settled vet in
the present crisis of danger 10 ali that both parties
hold dear we will bury every remembrance Of past
opposition, and "pledge to 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 it.
Rssoloed That we proclaim as the cardinal princi-
q so pScs a. and d moral % creed sacred
based our glorious American principles freedom
of speech freedom of opinion freedom Of conscience
freedom Of the press together with q school system
for the diffusion OF intelligence sanctfed by an open
Bible as the rule Of faith and practice holding as an
established principle that intelligence and virtue
essential TO the success Of a free government
ResoIp~d, That while we welcome to our country
the victims OF tyranny from foreign lands and offer
them place by side under the shield Of our con-
sttution, claim for Americans the right TO govern
their own country; and those who do not like our
government have hearty consent 70 20 elsewhere
n the pursuit Of happiness.
RSsolped That the fourth resolution of the meeting
at Caruss Saloon, recommending TO the President Of
the United States prescription Of all officers of the
federal government who may have thought a. 10 be-
come members Of the association of Know Kpotb-
ings-a recommendation which, before its adoption
had been recognized and acted upon bv the Erecu
tive Of the United Statss-proposes an alarming and
A.r sx.f-x ~rx A.
ment and calls for the prompt and decisive rebuke
of all the free citizens o these United States without
distinction Of party, sect, or creed
Resolved 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