Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-05-05

ments of Others only as they shall square with, or
dlfier nom, bis own; that il Is time enough, for the
rghtful purposes of civil government, for its off,
GERS 70 interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and
finally that truth is great and win prevail iflcft 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 dsarmed of
errors ceasng TO be dangerous when it Is permitted
freely to combat them.
De 1t, therefore, enacted by the General As
sern6ly, 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 suferon account ofhisreigous
opinions or belief but thst 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 thoughwe well know this Assembly elected
by the people for the ordinary purposes Of legis-
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 rrevocable 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
passed TO repeal the present. or to narrow its ope
rations such an act viii be an Infringement of
natural right.
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 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 Caruss Saloon, on the 10th instant
upon call made in and approved by the Executive
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 approbation and whereas said resolu
ITEMS however dressed up in abstract professions of
patriotism, assal principles dear to the American
heart and necessary to the safety of the constitution
ana 70 the peace and prosperity of country and
Whereas the Executive is invoked therein to remove
from public employment such oficehoders as enter
ain those principles thereby to perpetate ruthless
prescription OF both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference of opinion therefore
Resotoed That mere professions of love to the con-
sutution and to civil and religious freedom, when
contradicted by actions, cannot deceive the sensible
and vig1lant guardians of American liberty, whose
strides that have been made toward complete con-
troll OF our government by the subjects Of foreign
potentate wei-known as the avowed enemy of our
whole American system, to whose overthrow they
ResoIoed That vigilant custodians of that bene-
hcent system Of civil and religious freedom beoueath-
Cd TO us by the fathers Of the republic it is our duty
70 meet and repel all insdious attacks upon our lib
erues as wei as all open assaults and that we view
with Indignation and alarm the assertion Of prnci-
pies and purposes, on the part of the recognised ex
gonents Of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
states subversiye Of eur republican institutions,
Whicn constitute aggressons of fsuch a character
that NOT now resisted, will lead at distant day
70 the evefthrow of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment Of despotism
assofses That while in the past political divisions
struggled In honest conflict contested principles
and measures, all Of which are now settled yet IN
the present crisis Of danger TO all that both parties
opposition and "pledge TO each other our lives, our
fortunes, and sacred honor" net 10 cease our ex
ertons until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace It.
RssobUsd, That proclaim as the cardinal princi-
pies of our political and moral creed sacred regard
for the constitution in all Its provisions upon which
are 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, sancti6ed by an open
Bible as the rule Of faith and practice holding as an
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
Essential TO the success Of free government
Resotued, 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
sttutioD, we claim for Americans the right 70 govern
their own country; and those who do not like our
government have our hearty consent 10 20 elsewhere
Reso1ped That the fourth resolution of the meeting
t Carums Saloon, recommending TO the President of
the United States prescription Of all officers Of the
federal government who may have thought at 10 be-
al riafn af mot n.
lngs--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 iniraeon Of the principles OF selgoyern
ment, ana calls for the prompt and decisive rebuke
Of all the free citizens Of these United States without
distinction Of party, sect, or creed.
ResotOed, That every Protestant denomination in
the United States maintains the constitutional prin-
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 TO the ecclesiastical
sutherity, both In Europe and America; the sad aud
ru'neus effects of 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 ceaseess
insurrections, massacres, and proverba instability
Of our Southern sister Republics.
Resotved, That upon these principles we appeal
from the opinions, whose proclamation has caused
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
ofhce-holders both Democrats and Wings for daring
70 entertain American and Protestant sentiments,
and viii reject the morcsnary suggestion urged upon
him by the fourth resolution Of the meeting last week.
as covert scheme TO grutfy the appetite Of Office
seekers at the expense ef many who zeaousy and
efficiently aided in his elevation 10 power, and whose
removal under existing circumstances will FIX an in
delible stain upon him as man and the President
Of the United States
hesobped, That having seen the denunciations that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fusonistsn sf the North who are denounced as alb
sorbed In "the traitorous factions which distract
those States, by which they are after another be-
ing placed in opposition TO the administration, we
were astonshed 70 hear the pressing invition in the
second resolution Of opponents 70 Of all po-
lical opinions, without regard TO their "political
snteccdents," 10 form "fusien" with them in their
future actionan invitation broad enough 10 include
Garrison, Abby Kelly, and Fred Douglas, besides
their coadiutors in the two houses Of Congress.
Resotved, That we, too, appeal to all Americans
who love the Union which 'fmust be preserved and
the constitution, which established and maintains IT,
and the rights Of the States which compose II, and
especially 70 the religious the moral and the order
loving classes 10 unite with us In effectinq the re