Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-30

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ments Of others only as they shall square with, or
diner nom, his own; that II Is time enough, for the
rghtfdl 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 s great and viii prevail II 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 interposition disarmed Of
her natural weapons free argument and debate,
errors ceasng to be dangerous when II is permitted
freely to combat them.
n Bs y, therefore, enacted by the General A.
sas6ly, That no man shall be compelled to fire.
qucnt or support any religious worship, place, or
ministry whatsoever, nor shall he be enforced re-
strained molested or burdened in his body or goods,
norsha he otherwise sufero account
opinions or 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 sha
in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil
capacities.
And though We well know this Assembly, elected
by the people for the ordinary purposes Of legis-
lation only, have power to restrain the acts of
succeeding assemblies, constituted with powers
equal TO our own; and that, therefore, to declare
this act irrevocable 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 q mass meeting of the citizens Of
Washington, on the 9th day of September
last present tho 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:
ton was held Al Carusis Saloon, on the 10th instant
upon call made in and approved by the Executive
organ, the proceedings of which, in the resolutions
said 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 it's kindred
presses, with appreciation and whereas said resolu-
hens however dressed up In abstract professions Of
patriotism, asual principles dear to the American
heart and necessary the safety Of the constitution
and to the peace and prosperity Of our country and
Whereas the Executive is invoked therein to remove
hom public employment such ofaceholders as enter
prescription Of both wings and Democrats for an
honest difference Of opinion: therefore
Re.oped That mere professions Of love to the con-
stitution and to civil and religious freedom when
and vigiknt guardians Of American liberty, whose
apprehonsions have been excited at beholding the
strides that have been made toward a complete con-
troll o. our government BY the subjects Of foreign
potentate well-known as the svowed enemy of our
whole American system, to whose overthrow they
are solemnly devoted
RssoIpsd, That as vgilant custodans Of that bsne-
fcent sy.sm Of civil and religious freedom bequesth
cd 70 ~ by the fathers Of the republic 1t is duty
70 meet and repel all nsidieus attacks upon our lib
critics a. well as all open assaults and that we view
with indignation and alarm the assertion of princ
pies and purposes on the part Of the recognised eI-
poncnts Of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
States, subversive Of eur republican institutions,
which constitute aggrcssions Of such . character
that II not now resisted, win Lead at no distant day.
% the svcrthrow q the American Constitution and
the complete establishment Of despotism.
RssoCsdv That while. in the past political divisions
OF the country, as Wings and Democrats, VIC have
struggled In honest conflict over contested principles
and measures, ell Of which are now settled, yet in
the present crisis Of danger 10 all that both parties
hold dear We will bury every renemhrance Of past
opposition and pledge 10 each other cur lives our
fortunes and our sacred honor net to cease ex
ertons until our country. shall be freed from the
ResoSvsd, That we proclaim, a. the cardinal princ-
pies OF our political and moral creed sacred regard
for the constitution in a its provisions upon which
DsssS grr S0r'oSs ~ o,;ne a%eosn P
for The diffusion Of intelligence ssncti6sd by an open
Bibls the ruls Of faith and practice holding a. an
sD. e Ptnopss n.s = intelligence snd virtue are
kaeotesd, That while We welcome TO our country
the victims Of tyranny from fbrcign ands and offer
thsm place by our side under the shield Of our con-
stituton, we claim for Americans the right 70 govern
government have our hearty consent 10 70 elsewhere
II the pursuit Of hsppinesu. =.
Rsssvsd That the fourth resolution Of the meeting
he 0nitsd States prescription y III OF ocss q the e
fedorAl govcrnment who may have thought ht 10 be-
cons members Of the association Of Know Knoth-
inEs-A Recommendation which, before its adoption,
i've Of the United Stases- proposes an alarming and
dangerous infscton Of the principles Of sefgovern-
mont and calls for the prompt and decisive rebuke
Of all the free citizens Of these United States without
distinction Of party, scot or creed
Reso3ssd, That svery Protestant denomination in
Ne United States maintains the constitutional prin-
ciple Of separation Of Church and Stats-ip which
prindpls many Amsreap Catholics sincerely concur,
openly, and always, and everywhere maintains the
doctrine Of obedionoe of the civil 70 the ecclesiastical
asthsrity, both In Europe and America the sad and
rusnsns efects Of which, in the one are seen In
misery 70 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 oesseless
insurrectons, massaores and proverbisl instability
Of our Southern sister Republics.
Resotsed, That upon these principles We appeal
from the opinions, whose proclamation has caused
this meeting, 70 the people Of the United States j;
ano, aitnougn we might tnfer they are an exponent
Of executive fecingx from the sfical positions of
those who controlled the proceedings yet we viii still
hope that the President who alone has the power
viii arrest the prescription already begun Of faithful
ofice-hoders, both Democrats and Wings, for daring
70 entertain American and Protestant sentiments
and will reject the mercenary suggestion urged upon
him by the fourth resolution Of the mesng ast week
~ covert scheme 10 crafty the appetite Of Office
seekers q the expense Of many who zealously and
efficiently aided In his elevation 70 power and whose
removal under exsting circumstances viii fix an in
delible stain upon him a. man and the President
Of the United Btates.
Rssolved, That having seen the denuDciations that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fusonists' IF the North, who are denounced as alb
sorbed in tho trsitorous factions" which distract
thoss States BY which they are enc after another be-
Ing placed in opposition TO the administration, we
were astonished 70 hear the pressing inviton in the
htioal opinions without regard 10 their "political
anteccdents," 10 form 'fnsien" with them In their
future actionan invitation bread enough 10 include