Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-27

ments OF Others only as they shall square with, or
differ rom his own; that 1t is time enough, for the
rghtfui 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 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 disarmed of
her natural weapons, free argument and debate,
errors ceasng to be dangerous when it is permitted
freely to combat them.
BE it, therefore, enacted by the General As
sembtS 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 rburdened in his body or goods
nor shall he otherwise account ofhs 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. a8
And thoughwe well know this Assembly, elected
by the people for the ordinary purposes Of lcgis-
laton 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 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 Carusis 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
adjourned meeting, now spread before the public
eye in the columns of said organ, and its kindred
presses, with appreciation; and whereas said resolu-
hens however dressed up in abstract professions OF
patriotism, asuaI 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 oficeholders as enter
tain those principles thereby to perpetrate aruthess
prescription Of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference Of opinion: therefore
ResotUed That mere professions of love to the con-
stitution and to civil and religious freedom, when
conradcted by actions, cannot deceive the sensible
and vigiiant guardians of American liberty, whose
apprehensions have been excited at behofdng the
strides that have been made toward complete con-
troll OF our government by the subjects of foreign
potentate welLknown as the avowed enemy Of our
whole American system, to whose overthrow they
are solemnly devoted.
ResoLued, That, vigant custodians of that bene-
cent system Of civil and religious freedom beuueath-
ed to by the fathers of the republic il is our duty
TO meet and repe all insidious attacks upon our lib
critics - well all open assaults and that we view
with indignation and alarm the assertion Of prnci-
Piles and purposes, the part of the recognised ex-
ponents Of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
States, subyersive of republican institutions,
which constitute aggressions of such character
that not now resisted will lead at no distant day.
to the overthrow Of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment of despetsm.
hcsotped, 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 are now settled vet in
the present crisis of danger to all that both parties
hold dear we will bury every remembrance Of past
opposition, and "pedge TO each other our lives our
fortunes and our sacred honor net 10 cease our ex-
ernons until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace it. a
ResoSped, That proclaim, as the cardinal prnci-
pies OF our political and moral creed a sacred regard
Tor the constitution in all its provisions upon which
are based our glorious American prnciples--freedom
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 p The rule Of faith and practice, holding
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
essential to the success Of free government
hesotued, That while we welcome 10 our country
the victims Of tyranny from breign 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 those who do not like our
government have our hearty consent 10 20 elsewhere
II the pursuit of happiness
ssotoed 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 fit 10 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 the United States-proposes an alarming and
dangerous nfraction Of the principles of sefgoyern-
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.
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
while on the other hand, the Papsl 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
rumeus effects Of which, in the one, are seen in
countless emigrants flying from It's tyranny and
the Ignorance and poverty Of the masses, in the
wealth and vices Of the clergy, and in the ceaseless
nsurrections, massacres and proverbial instability
OF our southern sister Republics.
ResolDed, That upon these principles we appeal
from the opinions whose proclamation has caused
TINS 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 yefwe will still
hope that the President who alone has the power,
will arrest the prescription already begun Of faithful
office 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 TO 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 x an in
deibie stain upon him q and as the President
of the United States.
fesoSped That having seen the denunciatons that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
fusionists Of the North, who are denounced AZ alb
sorbed in "the tratorous factions" which distract
those States, by which they are enc after another be-
ing placed in opposition to the administration, we
were asonisbed TO hear the pressing inviton in the
second resolution Of our opponents 20 Of all po
htical opinions without regard TO their political
antecedeDts," to form 'fusien" with them in their
future action an invitation broad enough to include
Garrison, Abby Kelly, and Fred Douglas, besides
their coadjutors in the two houses Of Congress-
Resotred, That we, too, appeal 10 all Americans
who love the Union, which 'fnust be preserved" and
the constitution, which established and maintains it
and the rights Of the States which compose il, and