Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-01-22

The following preamble and resolutions,
adopted at mass meeting Of the citizens Of
Washington, on the 2Tth day of September
last present the general sentiments of the
American party" In this city, and win doubt
less be read with interest by the friends OF
American principles throughout the country,
to wit:
Whereas, public meeting Of citizens Of Washing
upon a call made in and approved by the Executive
organ the proceedings of which, in the resolutions
sad 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 resoli-
uons however dressed up in abstract professions OF
patriotism, asuail principles dear TO the American
heart and necessary to the safety Of the Constitution
and TO the peace and prosperity of our country and
whereas, the Executive Is invoked therein to remove
rom public employment such offceholders enter
tain those principles thereby to perpetrate ruthless
prescription of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference Of opinion: therefore
Resolued, That mere professions of love to the con-
stitution and to civil and religious freedom, when
contradicted by actions, cannot deceive the sensible
and viglant 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 a foreign
potentate well-known as the avowed enemy of our
whole American system, to whose overthrow they
are solemnly devoted.
Resoloed That, as vigant custodians Of that bene-
ed to us by the fathers of the republic it is our duty
TO meet and repe all insidious attacks upon our lib
critics as well as all open assaults and that view
with indignation and alarm the assertion of prine.
pies and purposes, on the part of the recognised
ponents Of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
States, subversive of our republican institutions
which constitute aggressions of such character
that, If not resisted, will lead at no distant day
n tha Am nnutif, f,,ttn nj
the complete establishment of despotism.
Resotued 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, vet 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
fortunes and our sacred honor not to cease our ex
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that new menace it.
Resolued, That we proclaim, as the cardinal princ
pies of political and moral creed sacred regard
Tor the constitution in oil ts 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
Bible as the rule of faith and practice holding as an
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
essential to the success Of free government.
Resotoed, 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-
sttuton, claim for Americans the right to govern
their own country; and those who do not like our
government have our hearty consent to go elsewhere
il 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 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 the United States proposes an alarming and
dangerous infncton of the principles of sefgover-
ment and calls for the prompt and decisive rebuke
of all the free citizens oil these United States without
distinction of party, sect or creed
ReeolUed, That every Protestant denomination in
the United States maintains the constitutional prn-
ciple Of separation Of Church and Statein which
principle many American Catholics sincerely concur
while on the other hand, the Papal Church abroad
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 other, in
the ignorance and poverty Of the masses, in the
wealth and vices of the clergy and in the ceaseess
insurrectons, massacres, and proverbal instability
of our Southern sister Republics.
ResolUed, That upon these principles we appeal
from the opinions whose proclamation has caused
this meeting, 70 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 yet will still
hope that the President who alone has the power,
will arrest the prescription already begun of faithful
ofceholders, both Democrats and Wings, for daring
TO 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 to crafty the appetite of office
seekers at the expense Of many who zealousy and
efficiently aided in his elevation TO power and whose
removal under existing circumstances will fix an in
deble stain upon him as man and the President
of the United States.
ResoIped, That having seen the denunciations that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fusionists Of the North who are denounced as alb
sorbed in "the traitorous factions" which distract
those States by which they are one after another be-
ing placed in opposition TO the administration,
were astonished TO hear the pressing invition In the
second resolution Of opponents TO men Of all po-
htical opinions, without regard tn their political
antecedents," 10 form "fusion" with them in their
future actionan invitation broad enough TO include
Garrison, Abby Kelly, and Fred. Douglas, besides
their eoadjutors in the two houses of Congress.
ResotpedI That we, too, appeal TO all Americans
who love the Union, which must be preserved, and
the constitution which established and maintains it,
and the rights Of the States which compose it, and
especially to the religious, the moral and the order
loving classes, to unite with MS in efectng the re-
firms necessary 10 the safety and prosperity of our
country believing, do, that IL Is high time the
career Of interested and INSCRIPTIONS demagogues
should be checked, and the government be placed in
the hands of men acquainted with its character and
spirit and who duly value its countless blessings.
And whereas we believe f the competency, ability,
and right Of American-born citizens TO govern their
own country: therefore
ResoLcsd, That we will not vote for nor assist in
elevating foreigners by birth TO offices Of trust cmo
vote for or assist in elevating to such offices any
Americanborn citizens who recognise or hold them
selves under any allegiance whatever 10 any foreign
prince, potentate, power, or authority.
ResoJped That the naturalization laws ought TO be
totally repealed or materially altered and the term Of
residence before admission 10 the rights Of citizen
ship be extended to the period of twentyone years.