Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-20
WASHINGTON. D. G.. FRIDAY AFTERNOON APRIL 90 1856.


ments Of others only they shall square with, or
diner irom his own; that 1t is time enough for the
rghtfhl 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 will prevail if 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 interpostion disarned of
her natural weapons, free argument and debate,
errors ceasing to be dangerous when 1t is permitted
freely to combat them. 0
Be q, therefore, enacted Jy the General As
sesn6ty 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, ,or burdened in sbody or goods
shall he otherwise on account ohis 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, or affect their civil
capacities.
And thoughw we well know this Assembly, elected
BY the people for the ordinary purposes of legs-
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 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 II 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.
4 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 viii doubt
hn Nd xry1t s,,ka lxxk Il. 4 IN
American principles throughout the country,
to wit: ,g8a9 4,
Whereas, public meeting Of citizens Of Washing
ton was held ut Carusis Saloon on the 18th 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 its kindred
presses with appreciation and whereas said resolu
nens, however dressed up in abstract professions Of
patriotism, asIal principles dear TO the American
heart and necessary TO the safety of the constitution
and to the peace and prosperity of our country and
whereas, the Executive is invoked therein to remove
from public employment such oficeholders as enter
tam those principles thereby topergetrae ruthless
honest difference Of opinion therefore
ResotUed That mere professions Of love to the con-
sttution and TO civil and religious freedom, when
contradicted by actions, cannot deceive the sensible
apprehensions have been excited at behofding the
strides that have been made toward complete con-
troll OF our government by the subjects of foreign
potentate wellknown as the avowcd enemy Of our
whole American system, to whose overthrow they
are solemnly devoted. s g6
Resobped That as vigilant custodians Of that bene
hcent system OF civil and religious freedom bequeath-
ed to US by the fathers Of the republic il is our duty
70 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 ex
ponents of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
states, subversive OF eur republican institutions,
which constitute aggressions Of such character
that II not now resisted will lead at no distant day.
TO the overthrow OF the American Constitution and
the complete establishment Of despotism.
Rsotoed 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 10 all that both parties
hold dear we will bury every remembrance Of past
opposition, and pledge TO each other our lives our
fortunes and our sacred honor not to cease our er
ertons until onr country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace it
Rssotoed. That we proclaim as the cardinal princi
Piles Of our political and moral creed sacred regard
for the constitution in all It's provisions upon which
are based our glorious American princples-freedom
OF speech freedom Of opinion, freedom Of conscience
freedom Of the prsss, together with school system
for the diffusion Of intelligence sanctied by an open
"
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
essential to the success Of free government
Resotued, That while we welcome 70 our country
the victims Of tyranny from foreign lands and offer
them place by our side under the shield of our
sttuton we claim for Americans the right 70 govern
their own country; and those who do not like our
government have our hearty consent 10 10 elsewhere
IN the pursuit Of happiness ssas'.g ,
at Carusis Saloon, recommending TO the President oil
the United States prescription OF ell officers Of the
federal government who may have thought fit 70 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 infrsction Of the principles Of segovern-
ment and calls for the prompt and decisive rebuke
Of All the ee citizens OF these United States, without
distinction Of party, sect, or creed.
Resotoed That every Protestant denomination In
the United States maintains the constitutional prn-
cple OF separation Of Church and State--in 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 TO the ecclesiastical
authority, both in Europe and America the sad and
rutneus effects 6 which, IN the one, are seen In
countless emigrants flying from its tyranny and
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 ceaseless
insurrections, massacres and proverbia instability
Of our southern sister Republics
Resotsed, 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 proceedngs yet we will still
hope that the President who alone has the power
will arrest the prescription already begun Of faithful
ohce-holders, both Democrats and Whigs for daring
TO entertain American and Protestant sentiments,
and viii reject the mercenary suggestion urged upon
him BY the fourth resolution Of the meeting fast 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 win FIX an in
delible stain upon him as man and the President
Of the United States.
Resobted, That having seen the denunciations that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fusonists' ef the North, who are denounced as abb
sorbed in the traitorous factions" which distract
those States by which they after another be
ing placed in opposition 10 the administration, we
were astonished 70 hear the pressing nviton in the
second resolution of our opponents TO OF all po
htcal opinions, without regard 10 their "politica
antecedents," To form 'fusien" with them in their
future actionan invitation broad enough TO include
Garrison, Abby Kelly, and Fred Douglas, besides
their coadjutors in the two houses Of Congress