Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-02

ner natural weapons, free argument and debate,
errors ceasing to be dangerous when IL is permitted
freely to combat them.
BE IL, therefore, enacted By the General As-
sms5ly 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 burdened in his body or goods
nor shall otherwise on account
opinions 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-
ation 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 irreyocable 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, 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 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 Carusis Saloon, on the 18th instant
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 are now spread before the public
eye In the columns of said organ, and its kindred
presses with appreciation and whereas said resolu-
items, however dressed up in abstract professions of
patriotism, asua4l 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 offceholders as enter
tain those principles thereby to perpetrate ruthless
prescription of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference of opinion therefore
Resolved That mere professions of love to the con-
sttutlon and to civil and religious freedom, when
contradicted by actions, cannot deceive the sensible
and vigiiant guardians of American liberty, whose
apprehenslons have been excited at beholding the
strides that have been made toward complete con-
troll of our government by the subjects Of foreign
potentate wel-known as the avowed enemy Of our
whole American system, to whose overthrow they
Resotoed, That as vigilant custodans of that bene
hcent system of civil and religious freedom bequeath-
ed to us by the fathers of the republic il is our duty
to meet and repel all insdous attacks upon our lib
critics as we as all open assaults; and that view
with indignation and alarm the assertion of princi
pies and purposes the part of the recognised ex
ponents of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
states, subyersive of eur republican institutions,
which constitute aggressions of such character
that, if not resisted will lead at no distant day.
to the overthrow Of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment of despotism.
Reso1Oed 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
prxrD iffatxa ax.A Ia1
fortunes, and sacred honor net to cease our ex
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace it.
Reso1oed, That we proclaim 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 princples-freedom
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
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
essential 70 the success Of a free government
Resotped, 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 our con-
stution, we claim for Americans the right TO govern
their own country; and those who do not like our
government have our hearty consent TO 90 elsewhere
n the pursuit Of happiness.
RssoJoed, That the fourth resolution Of the meeting
at Carusis Saloon, recommending TO the President Of
the United States prescription Of all officers Of the
federal government who may have thought ft TO be-
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 infraction 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, creed.
Rssotved That every Protestant denomination in
the United States maintains the constitutional prn-
ciple OF separation Of Church and Sate-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 ecclesiastical
authsrty both In Europe and America; the sad and
rutneus 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
nsurrcctions, massacres and proverbal instability
OF our Southern sister Republics.
ResotDed, That upon these principles we appeal
from the opinions, whose proclamation has caused
this meeting, 10 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, yetwe viii still
hope that the President who alone has the power,
viii arrest the prescription already begun Of faithful
office-hoders both Democrats and whigs 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 10 power and whose
removal under existing circumstances will fix in
deibe stain upon him as q man and the President
of the United States.
fesotred, 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 tratorous factions which distract
those States by which they are after another be-
ing placed in opposition 70 the administration, we
were astonished TO bear the pressing nvion in the
second resolution of our opponents 70 men Of all po
htcal opinions, without regard 10 their political
antecedents" To form "fusien" with them In their
future acton-an invitation broad enough 10 include
Garrison, Abby Kelly, and Fred Douglas, besides
their coadiutors in the two houses Of Congress
Resotged, That we, too, appeal 10 all Americans
who love the Union, which "must be preserved" and
the consultation, which established and maintains IT,
and the rights Of the States which compose IL and
especially 70 the religious the moral and the order
loving classes, 70 unite with in effectng the
ferns necessary to the safety and prosperity of our
country, believing, as we do that II is high time the
career Of interested and unscrupulous 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 in the competency ability,
and right OF American-born citizens 70 govern their