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

strained molested burdened in his BODY or goods
norshallhe otherwise suffer on account ohis religious
opinions or belief but that all men shall be free to
profess, and by argument to maintain, their opn-
ions in matters of religion, and that the same shall
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 lcgis-
lation 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 rrcyocable would be of no effect in law ;
yet, we free to declare, and do declare that the
rights hereby asserted Of the natural rights of
mankind, and that If any act shall be hereafter
passed to repeal the present. or to narrow its ope-
rations such an act will be an Infringement Of
natural right.
The following preamble and resolutions,
adopted ut 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, a public meeting Of citizens of Washing
ton held at Carusi's Saloon the 10th instant
organ the proceedings Of which, in the resolutions
sad 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-
ons however dressed up in abstract professions Of
patriotism, asual principles dear to the American
heart and necessary to the safety of the constitution
whereas the Executive is invoked therein to remove
from public employment such oficehoders as enter
tain those principles thereby to perpetrate ruthless
prescription of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference Of opinion: therefore
ResoLped That mere professions of love to the con-
stitution and to civil and religious freedom, when
contradicted by actions cannot deceive the sensible
and vigilant guardians of American liberty whose
apprehensions have been excited ut beholding the
strides that have been made toward complete con-
troll of government by the subjects Of foreign
potentate well-known as the avowed enemy of our
whole American system, TO whose overthrow they
ResoIoed, That as vgilant custodans Of that bene-
fcent system of civil and religious freedom bequeath
ed TO by the fathers of the republic it is our duty
to meet and repel all insidous attacks upon our lib
critics well all open assaults; and that we view
with indignation and alarm the assertion of princi
Piles and purposes the part of the recognised ex
ponents of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
States, subversive of our republican institutions,
which constitute aggressions of such character
that if not now resisted will lead, at no distant day,
to the overthrow of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment of despotism.
ResoIoed That while in the past political divisions
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
bold dear we viii bury every remembrance of past
fortunes, and our sacred honor" not to our
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace IL
ResoIoed That we proclaim, as the cardinal princi-
Piles of political and moral creed, sacred regard
ior the constitution in all its provisions, upon which
based our glorious American principles
Of speech, freedom of opinion freedom Of conscience,
freedom Of the press together with school system
for the diffusion of intelligence sanctfied by open
Bible the rule of faith and practice, holding
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
essential 10 the success of free government.
Resolved That while we welcome 10 our country
the victims of tyranny from foreign lands and offer
them place by our side under the shield of our con-
stituon, claim for Americans the right TO govern
their own country; and those who do not like our
government have our hearty consent TO 80 elsewhere
il the pursuit of happiness.
Resolyed That the fourth resolution Of the meeting
at Carusfs Saloon recommending TO the President oil
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-proposcs an alarming and
dangerous infraction 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.
Resolped, That every Protestant denomination in
the United States maintains the constitutional prn-
ciple Of a separation 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 10 the ecclesiastical
authority both in Europe and America; the sad and
ruinsus effects Of which, in the one, 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
rea AM q clerpv nd in
Instructions massacres and proverbial instability
of our Southern sister Republics.
Resolved, 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 we will still
hope that the President who alone has the power,
will arrest the prescription already begun of faithful
offce-boders both Democrats and Wings, for daring
20 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 efiice
seekers at the expense of many who zealously and
efficiently aided in his elevation TO power, and whose
removal under existing circumstances will fix an in
delibe stain upon him man and the President
of the United States
ResoJuad, That having seen the denunciations that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
fusionists' ef the North, who denounced alb
sorbed in "the traitorous factions which distract
those States, by which they after another be-
ing placed in opposition 10 the administration, we
were astonshed 10 hear the pressing invition in the
second resolution Of our opponents TO men Of all po-
tical opinions, without regard 10 their political
antecedents," 10 form "fusien" with them in their
future actionan invitation broad enough TO include
Garrison, Abby Kelly, and Fred. Douglas, besides
their eoadiutors in the two houses of Congress.
ResotUed, 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 70 the religious the moral and the order
loving classes TO unite with MS in effecting the
FIRMS necessary TO the safety and prosperity Of
country, believing, do, that IL 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