Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-05-04

en.S VI otnefs only as they shall square With, or
diner fom his own that It Is time enough, for the
rghtmi purposes Of civil government, FOR its Off
GERS 70 interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order and,
nnaily that truth is great and viii prevail If left to
herself that she is the proper and sufficient antag-
omst OF error, and has nothing to fear from the
conflict, unless by human nterposition disarmed Of
her natural weapons, free argument and debate,
errors ceasing to be dangerous when It is permitted
freely to combat them
De Il, therefore, enacted by the General As
sembty, That no man shall be compelled to ffe-
quent or support any religious worship place, or
ministry whatsoever, nor shall he be enforced, re-
strained, molested or burdened In his body or goods
nor shall suffer on account ofhis 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 though we well know this Assembly. elected
by the people for the ordinary purposes Of legis-
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 irreyocabe would be of no effect in law
yet we are free to declare and do declare, that tho
rights hereby asserted are 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 9th day of September
last present tho general sentiments Of the
American party" in this city, and viii 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 Carusi's Saloon, the 10th instant
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 now 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, 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 ofceholders as enter
tain those principles, thereby to perpetate ruthless
prescription of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference Of opinion therefore
ResoOed, That mere professions of love to the con-
stitution and to civil and religious freedom, when
oontradcted by actions, cannot deceive the sensible
and yigilant guardians OF American liberty, whose
aPprehensons have been excited at beholdng 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.
are solemnly devoted.
Resolved, That, vigant custodians Of that bene-
hcent system of civil and religious freedom bequeath
ed TO us by the fathers of the republic II is our duty
TO meet and repei all insidious attacks upon lib
critics as well as oil open assaults and that we view
with indignation and alarm the assertion of princi-
pies and purposes, the part of the recognised ex-
ponents of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
States, subyersve Of eur republican institutions,
M raaaiap nf u,,rk
that not now resisted, will lead at no distant day,
70 the overthrow of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment of despotsm.
ResoIoed 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 are now settled vet in
the present crisis Of danger TO all that both parties
hold dear we viii bury every remembrance Of past
opposition, and pledge 10 each other our lives our
fortunes and our sacred honor net to cease our
ertons until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace it,
Resotcsd, That we proclaim, the cardinal prHci-
pies Of our political and moral creed sacred regard
for the constitution in all its provisions upon which
are basod our glorious American principlcs-freedom
Of speech, freedom Of opinion freedom Of conscience,
Cor The difnson Of intelligence, sanctied by an open
Bible as the rule OF faith and practice holding
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
essential o the success Of q free government
RSentpad, That while we welcome 10 our country
Dc Victims Of tyranny from foreign lands, and offer
them place by our side under the shield Of our con-
sfutaon, we claim for Americans the right 10 govern
their own country; and those who do not like our
governneut have our hearty consent 70 20 elsewhere
Rssosssd That the fourth resolution of the meeting
at Oexus Saloon, recommending 70 the President OF
re U9ied States prescription q all officers Of the
fsdsral government who may have thought t TO be-
cons mcrnbers Of the association Of Know Knoth-
nGs--a recommendation which, before its adoption,
nad ben recognised and acted upon by the Execu-
i've q the United States proposes an alarming and
msnt and calls for the prompt and decisive rebuke
Of All the ee citizens OF these United States without
distlncton Of party, scot or creed 49,
Hssoeped, That every Protestant denomination in
The United States maintains the constitutional prin-
eiple Of q 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
aatherity, both in Europe and Amerca; the sad and
rusneus 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
wealth and vices Of the clergy and in the ceaseess
insurrectons massacres, and proverbsl instability
Of our Southern sister Republics.
Resotved, 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 eical 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
hce-holders both Democrats and Wings for daring
70 entertain American and Protestant sentiments,
and will reject the mercenary suggestion urged upon
him by the fourth resolution Of the meeting last week.
as covert scheme to crafty the appetite Of Office
seekers at the expense Of many who zealously and
efficiently aided in his elevation 70 power, and whose
removal under existing circumstances viii fix an in
deble stain upon him as man and AZ the President
Of the United States
ResoJved, That having seen the denuncistions that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
fusionsts' 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 astonshed 70 hear the pressing nvition in the
second resolution Of our opponents 70 men Of all po-
tfal opinions, without regard 10 their political
sntccedents," 10 form fusion" with them in their
future actionan invitation broad enough TO include
Garrison, Abby Kelly, and Fred Douglas, besides
their coadiutors in the two houses Of Congress.
hesoeced That we, too, appeal TO all Americans
who love the Union which "nust be preserved and
the constitution which established and maintains it
and the rights Of the States which compose it. and
especially 10 the Religious the moral and the order