Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-01-23

The following preamble and resolutions
adopted at a mass meeting of the citizens o
Washington, on the 9th day of Septembel
last, present the general sentiments Of tn,
American party" in this city, and win doubt
less be read with interest by the friends O
American principles throughout the country
to wit:
Whereas, public meeting Of citsens Of Washing
ton held at Caruss Saloon, ON the 10th instant
upon call made In and approved by the Executy,
organ, the proceedings Of which, in the resolutions
said TO have been adopted at that meeting and in III,
adjourned meeting, are now spread before the publ,
eye In the columns OF said organ, and its kindred
presses, with approbation and whereas said resolu
howeyer dressed uP in abstract professions
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 ofiicehdders as enter
tain those principles thereby to perpetrate ruthless
prescription Of both Wings and Democrats FOR an
honest difference Of opinion. therefore
ResoIoed That mere professions Of love to the con
sttution and to civil and religious freedom, when
and vigilant guardians of American liberty, whose
apprehensions have been excited at behoiding the
strides that have been made toward complete con-
troll Of our government BY the subjects Of foreign
d
whole American system, 10 whose overthrow they
are solemny devoted. er
Resotued That as vigant custodians Of that hene-
hcent system Of civil and religious freedom bequeath-
cd TO us by the fathers of the republic, it is our duty
to meet and repe all nsidious attacks upon our lib
critics as well as all open assaults; and that view
with Indignation and alarm the assertion OF prnci-
Piles and purposes on the part OF the recognised
States, subvernive Of our republican institutions,
which constitute aggressions of such character
that, if not resisted viii lead at no distant day,
to the overthrow of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment Of despotism.
Resoscsd, 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, yet 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 lives our
fortunes and sacred honor" net to cease our e-
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace it
Resotued That we proclaim az the cardinal princi-
Piles 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, sanctied by open
Bible the rule Of fth and practice, holding as an
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
essential TO the success of q free government
ResoJUed, 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
sttution, 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
in the pursuit of happincss. .4G
Reso1ced 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 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 infracton of the principles of selfgovern
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.
ResotDed, That every Protestant denomination in
the United States maintains the constitutional prn
ciple of q separation Of Church and State-n which
principle many American Catholics sincerely cencur,
while on the other hand; the Papal Church abroad
openly, and always, and everywhere maintains the
doctrine Of obedience of the civil the ecclesiastical
authority, both in Europe and America the sad and
ruineus effects OF which, in the one, are seen in
countless emigrnnts 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 ccaseless
insurrections, massacres and proverbial instability
Of our Southern sister Republics.
Resolged, 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 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.
covert scheme TO crafty the appetite Of Office
seekers at the expense Of many who zcalousy and
efficiently aided in his elevation 10 power and whose
removal under existing circumstances will FIX an In
delbe stain upon him as man and a. the President
kesogped, That having seen the denunciations tina,
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fusionists' sf the North, who are denounced alb
sorbed in the traitorous factions" which distract
ing placed in opposition to the administration,
were astonshed TO hear the pressing inviton IN the
second resolution of opponents 70 men Of all po-
ltical opinions, without regard TO their political
future action-an invitation bread enough TO include
Garrison, Abby Kelly, and Fred. Douglas, besides
their eoadiutors In the two houses of Congress.
Resolpsd, That we, too, appeal 70 ail Americans
the constitution which established and maintains il
and the rights of the States which compose H. and
especially 10 the religious the moral and the order
loving classes to unite with us in e6ecting the re
forms necessary to the safety and prosperity Of our
country, believing do, that ii is high time the
career Of interested and interruptions dcmagogues
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
Resotped, That we will not vote for nor assist in
elevatng foreigners by birth to Offices of trust emo
ument, or honor under our government; nor will we
vote for or assist in elevatng 70 such offices any
American-born citizens who recognise or hold them
selves under any allegiance whatever 10 any foreign
prince, potentate power or authority.
ResoJoed That the naturalization laws ought 10 be
totally repealed or materially altered and the term
residence before admission TO the rights Of citizen
ship be extended 10 the period OF twentyone years
E PERSONS residing in the First and