Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-07
WASHINGTON, d. c. WEDNESDAY,

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ments Of others only as they shall square with, or
diner om his own; that it is time enough, for the
rightiui 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 win prevail il 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 1t is permitted
freely to combat them.
BE Il, therefore, enacted BY the General As
sembty, 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 or burdened in his body or goods
Tiorshan he otherwise account ofhis religious
opinions or belief but that all men shall be free to
profess, and by argument to maintain, their opn-
ions In matters of religion, and that the same shall
IN no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil
capacities. h,
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 rreyocable 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
raticns, such an act win be an infringement Of
natural right . IA bt
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 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 1t Carusis Saloon, the 10th instant
upon call made in and approved by the Executive
organ, the pfoceedings Of which, in the resolutions
sad TO 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
preases, with approbaton and whereas said resolu-
toms however dressed up in abstract professions Of
patriotism, asuaI principles dear to the American
heart and necessary to tie safety of the constitution
and to the peace and prosperity of our country and
Whereas the Executive Is invoked therein to remove
6um public employment such oficehoders as enter
prescription Of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference Of opinion therefore 5ssa'
Rssotusd That mere professions of love TO the con-
stitution and to civil and religious freedom, when
contrsdicted by actions cannot deceive the sensible
apprehensions have been excited at beho1ding the
strides that have been made toward complete con-
troll Of our government by the subjects of foreign
pctentate wellknown as the ayowed enemy Of our
whole American system, to whose overthrow they
are solcmnly devoted & 4
Rssolusd, That as viglant custodans Of that bene-
6cent system Of civil and religious freedom bequeath
ed to by the fathers of the republic 1t is our duty
10 meet and repel all insidous attacks upon our lib
critics as well as all open assaults and that we view
with indignation and alarm the assertion Of princi
Piles and PURPOSES on the part Of the recognised
gonents OF the Roman Catholic Church in the United
States, subversive Of our republican institutions,
which constitute aggressions Of such character
that II not now ressted viii lead at no distant day
10 the overthrow Of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment Of despotism.
Rssolpsd 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 ars now settlsd, yet in
the present crisis OF danger to all that both parties
opposition, and "pledge to each other our lives
fortunes and sacred honor net 10 cease our ex-
erions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace it. ita 80
Resolosd, That we proclaim as the cardinal princ-
pies of political and moral creed sacred regard
lor the constitution in all its provisions upon which
are based our glorious American principles
Of speech freedom Of opinion, freedom Of conscience
freedom Of the press together with school system
for ths diffusion Of intelligence sanctfed by an open
Bible the rule of faith and practice holding as an
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
essential 70 the succsss of 10 free government
RsscSoed, That while we welcome 70 our country
the victims Of tyranny from foreign lands, and offer
them place by our side under the shied Of our con-
sttuton, we claim for Americans he rKht 10 govern
tAsir own ccuntsy; and those who do not Ike our
governmest have our hearty consent TO 90 eseBhere
n the pursuit Of happiness- 1865
Rssovcd That the fourth resolution of the meeting
st Carusis Saloon, recommending 10 the President OF
the United States prescription Of all officers Of the
u4n~. 4.
come members Of the association of Know Kpoth-
ings-a recommendation which, before its adoption,
had been recognized and acted upon by the Exccu-
tive Of the United States proposes alarming and
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.
Resototd, That every Protestant denomination In
the United States maintains the constitutional prn
ciple Of separation of Church and Shte-in which
principle many American Catholics sincerely concur
while on the other hand, the Papal Church abroad
openly and always, and everywhere maintains the
authority both in Europe and America; the sad and
ruineus effects Of which. in the one, are seen in
countless crnigrants flying from its tyranny and
misery TO our own happy land, and In the other, In
the ignorance and poverty Of the masses, in the
wealth and vices Of the clergy, and In the ceaseless
insurrectons, massacres and proverbia instability
Of our Southern sister Republics.
Reso1oed, 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 are an exponent
Of executive feelings, from The official positions Of
those Who controlled the proceedngs YET viii still
hope that the President who alone has the power,
will arrest the prescription already begun of faithful
oficeholders, both Democrats and Whigs for daring
70 entertain American and Protestant sentiments,
and wtii reject the mercenary suggestion urged upon
him by the fourth resolution Of the meeting lasi week.
~ covert scheme 10 crafty the appetite Of office
seekers at the expense ~ many who zcaluusv and
efficiently aided in his elevation 10 power and whose
removal under existing circumstances viii fix an in
delible stain upon him a and as the President
of the United States.
feso5ped, That having seen the denunciations that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fusonists' If the North, who are denounced as abb
sorbed In the traitorous factions" which distract
those States by which they are one after another be-
ing placed IN opposition 10 the administration, we
were astonisbed TO hear the pressing invition in the
second resolution Of our opponents to Of all po
liticd opinions, without regard 10 their political
sntecedents," 10 form fusien" with them in their