Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-15


ments Of others only as they shall square with, or
differ FROM his own; that It is time enough, for the
rightful purposes Of civil government, for It's off,
GERS 70 Interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and,
finally that truth is great and win prevail 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 interpositon disarned of
her natural weapons, free argument and debate,
errors ceasing to be dangerous when il is permitted
freely to combat them.
Bo IL, therefore, enacted 5y tie General A.
ssn6ty, That no man shall be compelled to ffe-
quent or support any religious worship, place. or
ministry whatsoever, shall he be enforced, re-
strained molcsted burdened in his body or goods
nor shall he otherwise suffer account ohs 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 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 of the natural rights Of
mankind, and that il any act shall be hereafter
passed to repeal the present. or to it's 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 Carusi's Saloon on the 10th instant
upon call made in and approved by the Executive
organ, the proceedings Of which, in the resolutions
said 70 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 resou-
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 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
ResotDed That mere professions of love to the con-
sutution and to civil and religious freedom, when
contradicted by actions, cannot deceive the sensible
and vigilant guardians of American liberty, whose
apprehensions have been excited at behofding the
strides that have been made toward complete con-
Il
potentate weil-known as the ayowed enemy of our
whole American system, to whose overthrow they
are solemnly devoted
Resoloed, That as vgilant custodans OF that bene-
fcent system of civil and religious freedom bequeath-
ed TO by the fathers of the republic ii is our duty
to meet and repel all nsdous attacks upon our lib
critics as well as all open assaults; and that 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 eur republican institutions,
which constitute aggressions Of such q character
that If not now resisted will lead at distant day.
to the overthrow Of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment of despotism.
Rssotpsd 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
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 our sacred honor net to cease our ex
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace It.
Resolved, That proclaim, as the cardinal prnci-
Piles of our political and moral creed, sacred regard
for the constitution in all its provisions upon which
are based our glorious American principles-feedom
Of speech freedom of opinion freedom OF conscience
freedom Of the press together with school system
for the diffusion Of intelligence sanctifed by an open
Bible as the rule of faith and practice, holding
established principle that Intelligence and virtue are
essential 70 the success Of free government.
ResoJped, That while we welcome 10 our country
the victims Of tyranny from foreign lands and offer
them place by side under the shield Of our con-
sttuton, claim for Americans the right to govern
their own country; and those who do not like our
government have hearty consent 10 20 elsewhere
IN the pursuit Of happiness,
Resolved 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 ct 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-
Eva If
dangerous infracon Of the principles Of selfgoyern-
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.
Resotped, That every Protestant denomination In
the United States maintains the constitutional prin-
cple 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 always, and everywhere maintains the
doctrine OF obedience of the civil 10 the ecclesiastical
authority both In Europe and America; the sad and
rusnous effects of which, in the one, are seen in
countless emigrants flying from its tyranny and
misery 70 our own happy land and in the ether, in
the ignorance and poverty Of the masses, in the
wealth and vices Of the clergy and in the ceaseless
,nsurreSnons m massacres and proverbal instability
hesctDed, That upon these principles we appeal
from the opinions whose proclamation has caused
this mectng, 70 the people Of the United States
Of executive feelings, from the official positions Of
those who controlled the proceedings vet we will still
hope that the President who alone has the power
will arrest the prescription already begnn Of faithful
oice-holders, both Democrats and Wings for daring
70 entertain American and Protestant sentiments
and viii reject the mercenary 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 zealously and
efficiently aided in his elevation TO power, and whose
removal under existing circumstances will FIX an in
delibleptain upon him as man and as the President
Of the United States
hesotred, That having seen the denunciations that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fusonists' ef the North who are denounced as alb
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
astonishcd 10 hear the pressing invtion in the
second resolution Of opponents 70 men Of all po
hticai opinions, without regard 10 their "potical
sntecedents,' " form sfusien" with them In their
future actionan invitation broad enough 10 include
Garrison, Abby Kelly, and Fred Douglas, besides
their coadlutors in the two houses of Congress-.
ffesobved That we, too, appeal TO all Americans
who love the uninn which .ar,st be rrennrred and