Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-14
WASHINGTON, D. 9. WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON,

ments OF Others only as they shall square with or
differ nom, his own that ii 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 win 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 interposition disarmed Of
her natural weapons, free argument and debate,
errors ceasing to be dangerous when it is permitted
freely to combat them.
BE IL, therefore, enacted 6y the General As-
seabty, 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 moested or burdened in his body or goods,
norsha he otherwise suffer on 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, or affect their civil
capacities.
And though we 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-
iations, such an act will 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, 2 public meeting Of citizens Of Washing
ton was held at Caruss Saloon, 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 now spread before the public
eye In the columns of said organ, and its kindred
presses, with appreciation; and whereas said resou
t0ns however dressed up in abstract professions Of
patriotism, asail 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 is invoked therein to remove
from public employment such oficeholders as enter
ln those principles thereby to pergetrate ruthless
prescription of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference Of opinion: therefore
hesoIoed That mere professions Of love to the con-
sptution and TO civil and religious freedom, when
contradicted by actions cannot deceive the sensible
and vlglant guardians Of American liberty, whose
apprehensions have been excited at beho1ding the
strides that have been made toward complete con-
trDl OF our government by the subjects Of foreign
potentate well-known as the avowed enemy of our
are solemnly devoted.
Resotoed, That as ygilant custodans Of that bene-
hcent system of civil and religious freedom bequeath
ca 70 us by the fathers OF the republic il is our duty
TO meet and repel all insidous attacks upon our lib
critics as well as all open assaults and that we view
with Indignation and alarm the assertion Of princi-
pies and purposes, on the part of the recognised ex
ponents OF the Roman Catholic Church in the United
nF x.A..x..
which constitute aggressions of such a character
that If not now resisted will lead at no distant day
20 the overthrow Of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment of despotism.
ReSotoed, That while, in the past political divisions
OF tho country, as Wings and Democrats, we have
struggled in honest conflict over 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
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace it
plies Of our political and moral creed sacred regard
FOR the consttuton In al it's ptoyisions upon which
are based our glorious american principles
speech freedom Of opinion, freedom Of conscience,
freedom Of the press together with a school system
for the diffusion of intelligence sanctifed BY an open
Bible as the rule of faith and practice holding as an
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
essential % the snccess Of free government
the victims OF tyranny from foreign lands and offer
them place by our side under the shield Of our con-
sttuton, we claim for Americans the right TO govern
their own countryj and those who do not like our
government have our hearty consent TO 20 elsewhere
II the pursuit Of happiness
Rssooed That the fourth resolution of the meeting
At Carusis Saloon, recommending TO the President OF
the United States prescription OF all officers Of the
federal government who may have thought fit 10 be-
como members Of the association of Know Knoth-
ings-f recommendation which, before it's adoption,
bad been recognised and acted upon by the EIecu-
i've OF the United States-proposcs an alarming and
dangerous nirncton OF the principles Of sefgovern-
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.
Resoleed, That every Protestant denomination in
the United States maintains the constitutional prin-
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 to the ecclesiastical
authority, both in Europe and America the sad and
ru'neus effects Of which, in the one are seen in
countless emigrants flying from its tyranny and
misery TO our own happy land, and in the other, in
wealth and vices Of The clergy, and in the ceaseless
nsurrectons massacres, and proverbial instability
Of our Southern sister Republics.
Resotped, 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 proceedings yet we will still
hope that the President who alone has the power,
will arrest the prescription already begun Of faithful
ofhceholders, both Democrats and Wings for daring
70 entertain American and Protestant sentiments
and viii reject the mercenary suggestion urged upon
him by the fourth resolution Of the meeting last week.
as covert scheme 10 crafty the appetite Of effice
seekers at the expense Of many who zealously and
efficiently aided in his elevation 10 power and whose
removal under existing circumstances will fix an in
deible stain upon him as man and the President
Of the United States.
heso1ced, That having the denuncistions that
almost daily Issue from certain presses against the
"fusionsts" ef the North, who are denounced abb
sorbed in "the traitorous factions" which distract
those States, by which they are after another be-
ing placed in opposition 10 the administration,
were asonisbed 70 hear the pressing invition in the
second resolution Of our opponents TO Of all po
liical opinions without regard to their "political
antacedenta y flrrn