Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-10

GERS 10 interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and
nnaiy 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
connict, unless by human interposition dsaraed Of
her natural weapons free argument and debate
errors ceasng to be dangerous when it Is permitted
freely to combat them.
he Il, Merefore enacted 6y the General As
semofy, 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 burdened in his body or goods
shall he otherwise suffer account ofhisregous
opinions belief but that all men shall be free to
profess, and by argument to maintain, their opin-
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 egis-
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, 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 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 Carusis 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 that meeting and in the
speeches of certain selected orators ut subsequent
adjourned meeting are now spread before the public
eye IN the columns Of said organ and its kindred
tiens however dressed up IN abstract professions Of
patriotism, asial principles dear to the American
heart and necessary to the saty of the constitution
and 70 the peace and prosperity Of country and
whereas, the Executive il invoked therein 10 remove
from public employment such oioehoIders as enter
tam those principles, thereby to perpetrate ruthless
pruscription Of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difiersnce Of opinion: therefore
HesoScea That mere professions Of love TO the
stitntion and TO civil and religious freedom, when
contradcted by actions cannot deceive the sensible
ana vlgaiant guardians of American liberty whose
apprehensaons have been excited at beholdng the
strides that have been made toward complete con-
troll 81 our government by the subjects of foreign
potentate weil-known as the avowed enemy Of our
whole American system, to whose overthrow they
are solemnly devoted. -
Resotued, That as vigant custodians of that bene.
eent system Of civil and religious freedom bequeath
cd TO US by the fathers Of the republic it is our duty
TO meet and repe all insidious attacks upon our lib
critics as well 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
ponents of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
States, subyersiye of eur republican institutions
which constitute aggressions of such character
that nnot now resisted, will lead at no distant day,
pf fksA
the complete establishment of despotsm
hssotred, 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, yet in
the present crisis Of danger to all that both parties
hold dear we will bury every remembrance Of past
opposition, and "p6ige 10 each other 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
hesobued, That we proclaim, the cardinal prnci.
Piles OF our political and moral creed sacred regard
for the constitution in all it's provisions, upon which
are based our glorious American principles-freedom
Of speech, freedom of opinion freedom Of conscience
freedom Of the press, together with school system
for The diffusion of intelligence sanctfed by open
- sSe Is q tsn sa and R5aooe holding as an
essential TO the success Of free government
Resotced, That while we welcome 20 our country
the victims Of tyranny from foreign lands and offer
them place BY side under the shield Of our con-
stitution we caim for Americans the right TO govern
their own country; and these who do not like our
government have our hearty consent 10 20 elsewhere
IN the pursuit Of happiness.
Resolped, That the fourth resolution of the meeting
at Carusis Saloon recommending 70 the President Of
The United States prescription OF all officers OF the
federal government who may have thought fit 10 be-
come members of the association Of Know Knotb-
,ngs1s Recommendation which, before its adoption,
had been recognised and acted upon by the Execu.
tive Of the United Statee-proposes an alarming and
dangerous nfracon of the principles Of selfeovern-
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.
Rssotrsd, That every Protestant denomination in
the United States maintains the constitutional prin-
oiple Of separation Of Church and Stste-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 Americas the sad and
ruinsus 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 ceaseless
OF our Southern sister Republics.
hssotped, That upon these principles we appeal
nom the opinions, whose proclamation has caused
this meeting, 70 the people Of the United States;
and although we might infer they are an exponent
Of executive feelngs' from the efciai positions Of
those who controlled the prooeedings yet we will still
hope that the President who alone has the power
Will arrest the prescription already begun of faithful
ofice-holders both Democrats and Wings for daring
10 entertain American and Protestant sentimental
and viii 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 sf many who zealously and
efficiently aided in his elevation to power and whose
removal under existing circumstances will FIX in
delibe stain upon him a man and the President
Of the United States.
kesoLped, That having seen the denuuoiatons that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
fusionists' Of the North, who denounced alb
sorbed in the traitorous factions" which distract
those States BY which they enc after another be
ing placed in opposition 70 the administration, we
were astonished TO hear the pressing nvton in the
second resolution Of opponents 70 Of all po
htical opinions, without regard TO their political
antecedents," 70 form 'fusien with them in their
future sotion-an invitation broad enough TO include
Garrison, Abby Kelly, and Fred Douglas besides
their coadiutors in the two houses Of Congress.
Resotped, That we, too, appeal TO all Americans
who love the Union, which "must be preserved" and
the constitution, which established and maintains il
and the rights Of the States which compose IT. and
especially 10 the religious the moral and the order.
loving classes, 70 unite with in efectng the re.
FIRMS necessary 10 the safety and prosperity of oor
country, believing, do that II is high time the
career of interested and INSCRIPTIONS demsgogues
should be checked, and the government be placed in