The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1855-06-23
1)olititol.
For The Cecil Wing.
AMERICANISM,---NO. 2.

l set DOWN 10 Wrltc u brlci account Oh inc
origin of Amcricanism in conformity to a
promise made your readers some weeks since.
BY Amcricanism W ish to be understood, not
this or that Party, but the tone Of sentiment,
which has always existed in the mind of the
nation, and which events have lately devel-
oped in such force, as promises to sweep
away, first or last, all opposing influences.
With the American Party, as such, Shall
DEAL as the exponent or type of those scnti-
mcnts, only so far as they have acted up to,
or fallen short Of the requirements of public
necessity, based upon public sateiy. With the
edifying and patriotic struggle now going for
ward for office, power, or patronage, have
no connection; and for its issue, no concern.
But for the preservation, intact, from corrup-
ton, whether by force or fraud, foreign or
| domestic, of the Constitution and Laws Of the
General and State Governments, and Of the
religious, social and intellectual institutions,
VIII ich have grown up under their protecting
power and fostering guardianship, do avow
| the deepest anxiety.
The history of the Constitution and Laws
of our country have been written and gcner-
ally read. The history Of the Institutions Of
the country, is yet to be nniodcd. They are
not now, and never have been, dependant
upon acts of legislation for their existence.
They are the gradual development, and rcduc-
ton to the purposes of practical life, and the
application to human happiness, Of those
great principles of liberty, which animated
the sag"s of the Revolution. Among these
cnumcratc the following, which alone, will be
found to have any connection with the subject
of Amcricanism.
l. The Absolute Freedom Of Speech, so
far as it concerns public men, and state trans
actions.
=. The Freedom of the Press, (suljcct of
course to the law Of libcl,) Freedom of Re
ligous Opinion and Worshp-cmbracing a
total separation of Church and State, 50 that
no test Of belief or creed shall be required as
Il qualification for citizenship or Office; nor
shall tithes, stipcnds or pecuniary gratitlca-
tons be required by law, for the support Of
any Priesthood.
The first Of these principles, includes the
right Of citizens to meet, when and where
they please, provided the place ofmecting be
not prev lousy occupied by persons possess
ing equal rights, and there to originate, dis
cuss, and dispose eff, all subjects. whether
civil or religious, which affects them as indi-
viduals, or as members Of the body polite.
Under this right, anterior and superior to all
constitutions, though fortified and guaranteed
by most of those of the United States, cii-
zcns may, at all times pcaccaby assemble.
and not only arraign the conduct and scruti-
niZc the acts Of officers, whether Leg
islatve, Judicial or Executive, but they may
take ncipient measures to alter, amend or
abolish the Constitution and Laws. them
selves. This right is the parent Of all polt-
cal rights, is in its nature inalienable, or can
not be parted with, sold, or compromised by
the individual possessing it, nor by the COM
munity.at large. Ills the direct Gift Of God,
which one man Gamma take from another, I'M
less by force, which violates all right, and as
far as it goes, establishes absolute Tyranny
in its stead. What is true of the individual
man, is equally true of men in societies, or in
numbers. They have the right to meet, and
to deliberate, and as necessary coroary,
to decide upon all questions eAecting their
olives, libcrtics,'' OF their ':pursuit of happi
ness"
The right, thus described, is Of character
SO sacred, that there exists no power on the
earth, which can abolish, abrogate or dimin-
sh it; and SO dearly is it cherished, that
there has never yet been found the natire
born citizen who was willing to suspend its
exercise, or forego its advantages for any
great length Of time. The only modification
to which it is subject, is that springing from
the miH of its posscsscr. Although right,
its exercise is not always obligatory;-but
may be dispensed with whenever its owner
sees proper.
What is here said of freedom Of speech is
, equally true, Subject as mentioned,) to the
freedom of the Press. Indeed, the Press
may BE- considered, as only an auxiliary to
the freedom Of speech. BY oral discourse a
man, (cvcn with the lungs of Whitfield } can
at best, address only few thousands; whilst
by the aid ofthe Press, he may hold discourse
with many thousands or even millions Of those
who can read; not only Of tho present gcner-
alton but of generations yet unborn.
These rights, elevated as they are in point
of character, are yet transcribed by the third
right-the right Of Religious Opinion and
worship. The two former rights belong to
the connection which exists between man
and man; the latter is the basis of the rela-
tions existing between man and his Maker:
the former reaches but to the affairs Of Time
the latter extends to the business Of Eter-
nifty.
1t will be observed that have in cnumer-
alton placed the greatest Of these natural UNI
chartered rights, last. 1t is in point Of fact
the first, and may be APPLY styled the parent
, Of the other two. Ny object is to preserve
1 the connection between it and its sequences
Religion has for its primary object, the sal.
walton of mems souls, and all Christians, OF
whatever sect or creed, agree that the truths
doctrines, and teachings of the scriptures
are the only means by which mems souls car
u be saved. The Protestant sects of christian
c ity, insist upon the spread Of the lights O
education so that all men may read, and the
: diffusion of scriptural TRUTH so that all mel