Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-11

ments Of Others only as they shan square with, or
dner nom, his own that il is time enough, for the
fghtfnl purposes Of civil government, for its ofl.
Gers TO interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and,
nnaiy that truth Is great and will prevail left 70
herself that she Is the proper and sufficient antag-
omst OF error, and has nothing to fear from the
conflict unless by human interpoaition disaraed q
her natural weapons, free argument and debate.
errors ceasng to be dangerous when Ii Is permitted
freely to combat them H - II
"a BE q, therefore, enacted by TIE General As.
sssa6ty, 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, moeste6 or burdened IN hsbody or goods.
norshali he otherwise suffer on account ofs religions
opinions or belief but that all men shall be free 10
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-
iaton 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 II any act shall be hereafter
passed to repeal the present, or to narrow its one
rations, such an act will be an infringement Of
natural right.
The following preamble and resolutions,
adopted at q 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 win doubt
less be read with interest by the friends of
American principles throughout the country,
to wit: i'
Whereas, = public meeting Of citizens Of Washing
ton was held at Carusis Saloon on the 10th instant
upon call made In and approved BY the Executive
organ, the proceedings of which, in the resolutions
sad 70 have been adopted at that meeting and Ia the
speeches Of certain selected orators at subsequent
adjourned meeting now spread before the public
eye In the columns Of said organ and its kindred
presses, with approbation and whereas said resolu
nens 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 our country and
whereas, the Executive is invoked therein 10 remove
irsm public employment such oficeholders as enter
AIN .nose principles thereby 70 pergetrnte ruthless
honest difierence Of opinion: thersfsre-- s.
hesoScsd That mere professions Of love TO the con.
sutuuon and TO civil and relgious freedom, when
oontrsdicted by actions, cannot deceive the sensble
and vigilant guardians of American liberty, whose
Apprehensions have been excited at behofding the
strides that have been made toward pointlete con-
troll OF our government BY the subjects OF foreign
Potentate wel-known as the avowed enemy OF our
whole s american system, TO whose overthrow they
Resotoed, That, viglant custodians of that bene
tcent system of civil and religious freedom bequeath
ed TO us BY the fathers Of the republic 1t is our duty
TO meet and repe all insdious attacks upon our lib
critics well all open assaults; and that we view
with Indignation and alarm the assertion of princis
pies and purposes, on the part of the recognised
gonents OF the Roman Catholic Church in the United
States, subversiye Of eur republican institutions
which constitute agEfessons Of surh q character
that not now resisted, viii lead at distant day.
70 the overthrow of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment Of despotism. - .
hssotoed, That while in the past political divisions
Of the country, as wings and Democrats, we have
struggled in honest conflict over contested principles
and measures, all Of which are now settled, vet In
the present crisis of danger 10 all that both parties
hold dear we will bury every remembrance Of past
opposition and pledge To each other cur ves olir
fortunes, and our sacred honor net 70 otr ex
ertions Until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace IT.
hssotped, That we proclaim as the cardinal pripci
pies Of political and moral creed sacred regard
Tor the constitution In all its 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, sapct6sd BY an open
Bible as the rule Of faith and practice holding as an
estsbished principle that intelligence and virtue are
essential 20 the success Of free government.
the victims Of tyranny from fbregn iands, and Offer
them place by side under the shield Of our con-
sutuhon, we claim for Americans the right 10 govern
heir own country; and those who do not like our
nave our hearty consent 70 60 esewhere
Rssotcsd That The fourth resolution Of the meeting
at Oaiusfs saloon, recommending N the President o.
NE united States prescription of all officers Of the
federal government who may hare Thought ct 10 be-
ma nff fla afK
ings-a Recommendation which, before its adoption,
had been recognised and acted upon by the Execn-
tive Of the United States proposes an alarming and
nsnssoss mn, ,n1ssnoa CO. Of the principles Of ssgo,ern
OF All the free citizens OF these United States without
distinction Of party, sect or creed.
Rsso!yAd That every Protestant denomination in
me United States maintains the constitutional prn
ciple OF separation Of Church aud Siate-in which
principle many American Catholics sincerely concur
while on the other hand, the papal Church abfogd
openly, and always, and everywhere maintains the
doctrine of obedience Of the civil 70 the ecclesiastical
s1ther1fy both IN Europe and Anerica; the sad and
rusnsus effects Of which, in the one, are seen IN
countless emigrsnts flying from it's tyranny and
misery 70 our own happy land, and in The other, m
the ignorsnoe and poverty Of the masses, in the
nsurrvctions, nassscres and proVerbisi instability
OF our Southern sister Republics.
Reso1c>d, That upon these principles we appeal
nom the opinions whose proclamation has caused
sots s.ss's'ks " stt p'nVtt W toe butteu fthN"r
and. although we might infer they are an erponen,
o. executive feelings, from the eficial positions Of
those who controlled the proceedngs yet we will still
hope that the President who alone has the power,
viii arrest the prescription already begun Of faithful
ofice-hoders both Democrats and whigs for daring
70 entertain American and Protestant sentiments,
and viii reject the morcenary suggestion urged upon
him by the fourth resolution of the meeting last week
ss covert scheme 70 Frntify the appetite Of Office
seekers At the expense ef many who yealously and
efficiently aided in his elevation 70 power and whose
removal under existing circumstances will fx an In
delibls stain upon him az man and the President
Of the United State.. N.s#-
kesoScsd, That having the dsnuncations that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fusionistsp II the North, who denounced alb
sorbed IN the traitorous factions" which distract
those States BY which they sre one after another be
ing placed in opposition 70 the administration, we
were sstonished " hear the pressing nviton IN ths
second resolution Of our opponents 20 men Of all po
iit'cai opinions, without regard 10 their political
snteoedents," 70 form "fusien" with them in their
future action-ap invitation broad enough 70 include
Garrison, ABBY Kelly, and Fred Douglas, besides
their coadiutors IN the two houses Of Congress.
Dxu~7. - 49, m 49,