Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-04
WASHINGTON. D. c.. WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, APRIL 1856

ments of others only as they shall square with, or
differ FROM his own; that il is time enough for the
rightful 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 is great and viii prevail If left 10
herself that she is the proper and sufhoient antag
onist OF error, and has nothing to fear from the
conflict, unless by human interpostion disarmed Of
her natural weapons, free argument and debate,
errors ceasing to be dangerous when 1t is permitted
freely to combat them.
BE IL, therefore, enacted Jy the General IA
senabty, 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
norshal he otherwise suffer account ofhs religious
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 shall
in no wise diminish, enlarge, affect their civil
capacities "
And thoughwe well know this Assembly, elected
by the people for the ordinary purposes of legis-
laton 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 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 a mass meeting of the citizens of
Washington, on the 27th 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 10th instant
upon 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 at subsequent
adjourned meeting are spread before the public
eye in the columns Of said organ, and its kindred
presses, with appreciation; and whereas said resou-
items, however dressed up in abstract professions Of
patriotism, asua.l 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 lis invoked therein to remove
from public employment such oficeholders as enter
tain those principles thereby to perpetrate ruthless
prescription Of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference Of opinion therefore
ResobUed, That mere professions Of love to the
stituton and to civil and religious freedom, when
contradiced by actions, cannot deceive the sensible
and vigilant guardians of American liberty, whose
apprehensions 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 avowed enemy of our
whole American system, TO whose overthrow they
solemnly devoted.
Resolved That as vigilant cnstodians of that bene
6cent system Of civil and religious freedom bequaath-
ed to us by the fathers of the republic ii is duty
TO meet and repel all insdious attacks upon lib
critics as well all open assaults and that we view
with Indignation and alarm the assertion of princi
Piles and purposes, the part of the recognised
ponents Of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
GfatA xkxrara xSf
which constitute aggressons of such character
that II not resisted win lead at no distant day.
10 the overthrow Of the American Cnpstitutiop and
the complete establishment Of despotism.
Resoloed 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 now settled yet in
the present crisis Of danger TO all that both parties
opposition, and "pledge to each other our lives
fortunes, and sacred honor net to cease our ex
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace it
ResoIUed That we proclaim as 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 prnpiples-freedQm
Of speech freedom Of opinion freedom Of oonscienoo,
freedom Of the press together with school system
for the diffusion Of intelligence sanctiied by open
Bible the rule of faith and practice, holding
established principle that intelligence and virtue
essential 10 the success Of free government
RssoIped, That while we welcome 10 our country
the victims Of tyranny from foreign lands and offer
them place by side under the shield Of our con-
stiuton, claim for Americans the right 10 govern
their own country; and these who do not like our
governmsnt hare our hearty conscnt 70 60 elsewhere
II the pursuit OF happiness.
Reso1ped, That the fourth resolution Of the meeting
at Carusis Saloon, recommending 10 the President 81
the United States prescription OF all officers Of the
federal government who may have thought ft 10 be-
come members Of the association Of Know KDoth-
ings-s Recommendation which, before its adoption,
had been recognised and acted upon hy the EIecu-
dangerous infscton IN tbs ~ ssegaxern ss
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.
Rss0ltd, That every Protestant denomination in
the United States maihths tie sonSttutional pEil-
ciple Of 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 70 the eccesastcal
authority, both In Europe and America; the sad and
ruineus effects Of which, In the one, are seen in
countless emigrants flying from It's tyranny and
,S SS.'y 70 our own happy land and IN the other b in n
wealth and vices Of he clergy and in the ceaseees
instructions, massacres and proverbial instability
Of our southern sister Republics.
RssolpNd, That upon these principles we appeal
from the opinions, vhose proclamation has caused
this meeting, 70 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
viii arrest the prescription already begun Of faithful
ofice-hoiders both Democrats and Wings, for daring
70 entertain American and Protestant sentiments
and win reject the mercenary suggestion urged upon
him by the fourth resolution Of the meeting last week
az covert scheme TO GRITTY the appetite Of Office
soekeyB at the expense sf many who zealously and
efficiently aided id his elevation 10 power and whose
removal under existing circumstances win fI on in
delibe stain upon him as man and the President
of the United states.
Resolped That having seen the denunoiatons that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
fusionsts" ef the NORTH who are denounced as alb
sorbed in "the tratorous factions" which distract
those States by which they are ene after another be-
ing placed IN opposition 10 the administration we
were sstonshed 10 hear the pressing nvition in the
second resolution Of our OPPONENTS % Of all po-
ical opinions, without regard TO their "political
snteoedsnts" u form q fusien" with them In their
future acton--an invitation broad enough TO include
Garrison, Abby Kelly, and Fred Douglas, besides
their conductors in the two houses Of Congress.
Resotued, That we, too, appeal 10 all Americans
who love the Union, which must be preserved" and
the constitution, which established and maintains H.
and the rights Of the States which compose IL, and
eapeeiav 70 the reluiora tho moral and the order