Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-03
WASHINGTON. D. G. SATURDAY AFTERNOON MARCH g. 1855

ments of Others only as they shall square with, or
differ from, his own; that II is time enough, for the
rightful 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
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 ceasing TO be dangerous when it is permitted
freely TO combat them.
BE IL, therefore, enacted By the General as
senably, 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 body or goods
norsha he otherwise suffer account ofhisreiigious
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 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 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, 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 27th 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 Caruss Saloon, 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
speeches of certain selected orators at subsequent
eye in the columns Of said organ, and its kindred
presses, with appreciation and whereas said resou-
tons however dressed up in abstract professions Of
PATRIOTISM asual 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 remove
from public employment such officeholders enter
tain those principles thereby perperate ruthless
prescription Of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference Of opinion: therefore
tesotoed That mere professions of love to the con-
stitution and to civil and religious freedom, when
contradcted by actions cannot deceive the sensible
and viglant guardians Of American liberty, whose
apprehensions have been excited at beholding the
strides that 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
are solemnly devoted
ResolOed, That as vgilant custodans of that bene-
cent system Of civil and religious freedom bequeath
ed to by the fathers Of the republic is our duty
TO meet and repel all nsidious attacks upon our lib
critics as well as all open assaults and that view
with indignation and alarm the assertion of princi-
Piles and purposes, the part of the recognised
ponents Of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
States subversive of eur republican institutions,
which constitute aggressions OF such character
that not now resisted, will lead, at distant day,
70 the overthrow of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment of despotism.
Resosced 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 "pledge TO each other our lives our
fortunes and sacred honor net to cease our ex-
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace it.
Resoloed, That we proclaim, the cardinal princi
pies Of our political and moral creed sacred regard
for the constitution In all its provisions upon which
are based our glorious American princples-freedom
OF speech freedom Of opinion, freedom Of conscience
freedom Of the press, together with school system
for the diffusion of intelligence, sancted by an open
Bible as the rule Of faith and practice holding an
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
essential to the success of free government.
Reso1ved, That while we welcome to our country
them place by our side under the shield Of our con-
stitution we claim for Americans the right TO govern
their own country; and these who do not like our
government have our hearty consent 10 go elsewhere
IN the pursuit of happiness.
Rssoloed 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 fit to 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 tho United States-proposes an alarming and
dangerous infracton Of the principles of sefgovern-
ment and calls for the prompt and decisive rebuke
Of all the free citizens Of these United States without
distinction of party, sect or creed.
Resotued, That every Protestant denomination in
the United States maintains the constitutional prn-
ciple of separation of Church and State-n which
principle many American Catholics sincerely concur,
while on the other hand, the Papal 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
ruineus effects Of which, in the one, are seen in
countless emigrants flying from its tyranny and
misery TO our own happy land, and in the ether in
wealth and vices Of the clergy, and in the ceaseess
insurrectons massacres, and proverbial instability
Of our Southern sister Republics.
ResoSoed, 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 an exponent
of executive feelings, from the official positions Of
hore wno CohIoneu the ProceeulnRb, yetWe VIII stili
hope that the President, who alone has tho power,
will arrest the prescription already begun Of faithful
ofceholders, 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.
as covert scheme 10 crafty the appetite ofofice-
seekers at the expense Of many who zeaousy and
efficiently aided in his elevation TO power and whose
removal under existing circumstances will fix an in
deible stain upon him as q and as the President
of the United States.
fesoJued, That having seen the denunciations that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fusionsts" Of the North, who denounced as alb
sorbed in "the traitorous factions" which distract
those States, by which they after another be-
ing placed in opposition TO the administration, we
astonished TO hear the pressing invition in the
second resolution Of opponents 70 of all po-
litcal opinions, without regard to their "politcal
antecedents" to form "fusien" with them in their
future scton-an invitation broad enough TO include
Garrison, Abby Kelly, and Fred Douglas, besides
their coadiutors in the two houses of Congress.
Resotped, That we, too, appeal TO all Americans
who love the Union, which "must be preserved" and
tho constitution which established and maintains it.
and the rights Of the States which compose it, and
tf,