Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-01-05
WASHINGTON, D. G, FRIDAY AFTERNOON JANUARY 5 1855

The following preamble and resolutions
adopted at mass meeting Of the citizens o.
Washington ON the 27th 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 o.
American principles throughout the country
to wit: ts7gess..,
Whereas, a public meeting Of citizens Of Washing
ton was held at Carusis Saloon, the 10th instant
upon a 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 AZ subsequent
adjourned meeting, are now spread before the public
eye In the columns Of said organ, and its kindred
presses, with approbation and whereas said resolu
tons, however dressed up in abstract professions o
patriotism, asNall principles dear 70 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
from public employment such oiiicehoders enter
tain those principles thereby to perpetrate ruthless
prescription Of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference of opinion: therefere--ra l
ResoLoed, That mere professions of love to the con-
sttuton and to civil and religious freedom, when
contradcted by actions cannot deceive the sensible
and vgilant guardians Of American liberty, whose
approximations 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 nvowed enemy Of our
are solemnly devoted.
Resolpea That as ygilant custodians of that bene-
cent system Of civil and religious freedom bequeath-
cd TO us BY the fathers Of the republic tits our duty
to meet and repel all insdious attacks upon lib
critics as well as oil open assaults and that view
with indignation and alarm the assertion Of princi-
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 q character
that II not now resisted will lead ut no distant day.
70 the overthrow Of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment Of despotism.
Rssol0ed 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 yet in
the present crisis of danger to oil that both parties
hold dear we will bury every remembrance of past
opposition, and "pledgc to each other our lives, our
fortunes, and our sacred honor" not to our ex-
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that new menace it. XII
Rssol0ed, That we proclaim as 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 principles 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 the rule of faith and practice holding as
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
essential to the success Of q free governments
Rssoloed, That while We welcome to our country
the victims Of tyranny from foreign lands, and offer
them place BY our side under the shield Of con-
sttntion, we claim for Americans the right 70 govern
their own country; and these who do not like our
government have our hearty consent 70 60 elsewhere
ii the pursuit Of happiness. ts
Resolred That the fourth resolution of the meeting
= caTass Saloon recommending e the PRESIDENT Q
federal government who may have thought tit to bc
come members Of the association Of Know Knoth
ings-a recommendation which, before its adoption
tive cf the United States-pro an alarming and
dangerous infaction of the principles of selfgoycrn
ment and calls for the prompt and decisive febuke
Of all the free citizens OF these United States without
distinction of party, sect or creed. 1e
RssolUed That every Protestant denomination in
the United States maintains the constitutional prn-
ciple Of separnton 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 TO the ecclesastical
autherity both in Europe and America; the sad and
ruinous effects OF which, in the one, are seen in
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
insurrections, massacres and proverbia instability
Of our Southern sister Republics.
Resoloed, That upon these psinciples we appeal
from the opinions, whose proelamakon has caused
this meeting, to the people Of ths United States
and, although we might infer they axe an exponent
those who controlled the proceedngs yefwe will stll
hope that the President, who alone has the power,
will arrest the prescription already begun OF hithful
oice-holders, both Democrats and Wings, for daring
TO entertain American and Protestant sentiments,
and will reject the merccnary 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 sf many who zealously and
efficiently aided In his elevation TO power and whose
removal under existing circumstance viii fix in
deiible stain upon him as man and the President
Of ths United btatss. tst a
ksso,ssd, That having seen tho denunciatons thai
A~.I~
= hsionists' Of the North, who are denounced as ab
sorbed In "the traitorous factions" which distract
those StAtes by which they one after another be
Ing placed in opposition 70 the administration, We
ssoond resolution Of opponents 70 of all po
6tionl opinious without regard ts their political
antecedents,' 70 form "fusien with them in theil
future acton--an invitaton broad enough 10 include
Garrison, Abby Kelly, and Fred. Douglas, besides
their eoadjutors in the two houses Of Congress
Re.oioed, That we, TOO appeal 70 all Americans
who love the Union, which must be preserved" and
the constitution, which established and maintains IL
and the rights Of the States which compose IT. and
especially 10 the religious the moral, and the order
loving classes, 10 unite with US in efecting the re
fcrms necessary 70 The safetyand prosperity Of
career q Interested and interruptions uni cruz demaropues @
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 in the competency, ability
and right of Anerican-born citizens TO govern their
own country: therefore
Resolced, That we will not vote for nor assist In
ecvating foreigners by birth 10 occs Of trust emo
umcnt, or honor under our government; nor will we
vote for or assist in eevsting to such Offices any
Amcricanborn citizens who recognise OF hold them
selves under any allegiance Whatever TO any foreign
prince, potentate, power, or authority. gf
ReeoLped That tho naturalization laws ought TO be
totally repealed or materially altered and tho term Of
residence before admission 10 the rights Of citizen
ship be extended 70 the period Of twenyone years.
tB PERSONS residing in the First and
Second wards desiring to subscribe TO tho AsERi
CAN OReAS," will leave their names at William II
Hlton's, Agent, No 395, Eleventh street betwcenJl
and X, and at Mr. Carrols shoe store, No. liz Penn
sylyana avenue, between Twentieth and Twenty
first stseet nov "a
e1B- Persons residing in the I'D or 4fh