Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-03

"~fPDAos
errors ceasng to be dangerous when it is permitted
freely to combat them
ne u, therefore, enacted by 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, moested or burdened in his body or goods
shall he otherwise suffer account ofhs religious
opinions or belief but that all men shall be free TO
profess and by argument to maintain, their opili-
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-
iation 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 if any act shall be hereafter
passed to repeal the present, to its ope-
rations 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
iSoh PiAhSiPicn thiou6Hout tHc country,
to wit
Whereas, public meeting of citizens of Washing
ton was held at Caruss Saloon on the 9th instant
upon call made in and approved by the Executive
organ, the proceedings of which, in the resolutions
sad TO have been adopted ut 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 resol-
hens however dressed up in abstract professions of
patriotism, asual 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 oficeholdsss as enter
tain those principles thereby to perpetrate ruthless
prescription of both Wings and Democrats for on
honest difference of opinion therefore
esotUed That mere professions of love to the con-
stltuton and to civil and religious freedom, when
cqntradced by actions, cannot deceive the sensible
and yigilant guardians of American liberty, whose
apPrehensions have been excited at beholding the
strides that have been made toward a complete con-
troll OF our government by the subjects Of foreign
potentate wel-known as the ayowed enemy of our
whole American system, TO whose overthrow they
are soemnly devoted.
Resotoed, That, vigant 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
to meet and repe all insidious attacks upon our -
critics as well as all open assaults and that we view
with indignation and alarm the assertion of princ-
pies and purposes, on the part of the recognised
ponents OF the Roman Catholic Church in the United
States, subversve of eur republican institutions,
whicn constitute aggressions of such character
tnat II not now resisted, will lead, at no distant day,
70 tne overthrow OF the American Constitution and
the complete establishment of despotism.
ResoIced, That while, in the past political divisions
OF the country, as wings and Democrats, we have
struggled in honest conflict contested principles
ana measures, all OF which are now settled, yet in
the present crisis OF danger to all that both parties
hold dear we will bury every remembrance of past
oPPosiuon ana pledge 70 each other our lives, our
fortunes and our sacred honor net TO cease our ex
eruons unti our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace It
hesoeDed, That we proclaim, as the cardinal princi
pies OF our political and moral creed sacred regard
ior tne constitution In all Its provisions upon which
are Dased our glorious American principles freedom
OF speech freedom OF opinion, freedom OF conscience
freedom OF the press, together with school system
or ,ne onuson OF ntehgence sancuned by an open
noie as tne RUE OF faith and Prachce holding as an
esaDasheo prnclple tnat ntelgence ana virtue are
essential 70 the success OF q Tree government
a. hesossed, Ihst while we welcome TO our country
tne vicums OF tyranny from foreign lands, and offer
them place by our side under the shield Of our con-
shtuuon we claim for Americans the right TO govern
their own country; and these who do not like our
government nave our hearty consent TO go elsewhere
n the pursuit OF happiness.
1esoeped That the fourth resolution OF the meeting
AZ Carusis Saloon, recommending TO the President OF
the United States prescription Of all officers Of the
federal government who may have thought ft 70 be-
come members OF the association Of Know Knoth-
u Recommendation winch, before Its ADOPTION
had been recognised and acted upon BY the Execu-
i've OF the United States-proposcs alarming and
dangerous infacuon 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.
hesotUed, That every Protestant denomination in
the United States maintains the constitutional prn
ciple OF separation Of Church asd State-in which
prineipie 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
auther1ty, both In Europe and America the sad and
rumeus 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
insurrechons massacres, and prOverbia instability
oil our southern sister Republics
ResoiDed, 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 exponent
OF executive feelings, from the official positions Of
those who controlled the proceedings yet viii still
hope that the President who alone has the power,
will arrest the prescription already begun of faithful
holders, both Democrats and Wings for daring
70 entertain American and Protestant sentiments,
and will reject the mercenary suggestion urged upon
hfr h Tho " tNft .xls.f.A Ts a f.