Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-21

ments OF Others only as they shall square with or
dliier nom, his own; that it is time enough for the
rightia 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 will 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
hcr natural weapons, free argument and debate,
errors ceasng to be dangerous when It Is permitted
freely to combat them -
Be d, theSefore enacted 6y the General As
sena6ty, 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 orburdened in body or goods,
norsha he otherwise suiferon account ofhisreipous
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, affect their civil
capacities
And thoughwe well know this Assembly, elected
by the people for the ordinary purposes Of leeis-
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 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. or to narrow its ope-
rations, such an oct will be an infringement Of
natural right as 1s
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 q n call made IN and approved BY the Executive
SAID 70 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 approbaton and whereas said resolu-
ITEMS however dressed up in abstract professions Of
patriotism, asDaIl principles dear to the American
heart and necessary to the safety Of the constitution
ana TO the peace and prosperity of country and
from public employment such oficeholders as enter
tain those principles thereby to perpetrate ruthless
prescription of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference of opinion: therefore
hesotued, That mere professions of love to the con-
stitution and to civil and religious freedom, when
contradcted by actions, cannot deceive the sensible
and vigilant guardians of American liberty whose
apprehensons have been excited at beholding the
u complete
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. aH'
Rssoscva That vigilant custodians of that bene-
hcent system Of civil and religious freedom beaueath
ed to us BY the fathers of the republic it is our duty
TO meet and repel all insdieus 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 the part of the recognised ex
ponents Of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
States, subversiye of eur republican institutions,
which constitute aggressions Of such character
that If not now resisted will lead at no distant day.
to the overthrow Of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment Of despotism. s. s
hesotosd, That while, in the astpoltical divisions
Of tho conntsy, as Wings and Democrats we have
struggled in honest conflict contested principles
and measures, all of which are settled yet in
the present crisis Of danger 70 all that both parties
hoaA teer We win bury every remembrance Of past
2Ppo(toay and "pledge TO each other lives, our
hrtunuf and our sacred honor not to cease our ex-
s.nA 4ptl our country shall be freed from the
dangers ~ now menace it.
Rssobps2 That we proclaim, as the cardinal princi-
PIES of cur political and moral creed sacred regard
br TIE epnstiuton In all its provisions upon which
are based cr glorious American principles-ffcedom
3f speech, hscdom of opinion freedom Of conscience,
freedom Of the press together with school system
for the diffusion Of intelligence sanctfed by open
Bible as the rulo o faith and practice, holding as
established principle that Intelligence and virtue are
Resoluad, That while we welcome TO our country
The victims oftyrsnny from foreign lands and offer
them place by our side under the shield Of our con-
sttnton, we claim for Americans the right 70 govern
their own country; and fhosc who do not like our
government have our hearty consent 70 20 elsewhere
IN the pursuit Of happiness.
Rsso1esd That the fourth resolution Of the meeting
At Csrusi: saloon rscomnending 70 the President Of
sdsf. TSe sy hsse d shooahs Ss
come nembers of ths association Of Know Knoth-
ings-a recommendation which, before its adoption
had been Recognized and acted upon by the E1ecu-
i've Of Tie United Stas.sprcpose. an alarming and
dangerous infsction Of the princpes of selfgovern
ment and calls for The prompt and decisive rebuke
Of all the free citnens Of these United States without
distinction Of party, sect, or creed.
Reso!eed, That every Protestant denomination In
the United States maintains the constitutional prn
dple 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 10 the ecclesiastical
authority, both In Europe and America the sad and
ruinSus sfhsots cf 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
the ignorance and poverty Of the masses, in the
wealth and vices Of the clergy, and in the ceaseless
nsuTrectons, massacres, and proverbia instability
Of our Southern sister Republics.
Rssotsed, 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 procecdings yet viii still
hope that the President who alone has the power,
will arrest tho prescription already begun Of faithful
Bce-hoders, both Democratic 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 70 crafty the appetite Of Office
seekers at the expense Of many who zealously and
efficiently aided In his elevation 10 power and whose
removal under existing circumstances viii fix an in
delibe stain upon him a and the President
Of the United States
fesoloed, That having seen the denunciations that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fusionists' sf the North, who are denounced abb
sorbed in "the traitorous factions" which distract
those States BY which they are enc after another be-
were astonshed TO hear the pressing nvition in the
second resolution Of opponents 70 men Of all po
ltical opinions, without regard 70 their political
antecedents," 10 form a fusien" with them in their
future actionan invitation broad enough 10 include