Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-05-09

ments Of others only as they shall square with, or
differ ffom his own; that IL is time enough, for the
rightfnl purposes Of civil government, for its Off
GERS 70 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 interpostion dsarmed 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 by the General rs
scm6ly, That no man shall be compelled to fire.
qucnt or support any religious worship, place, or
ministry whatsoever nor shall he be enforced, re-
strained molested orburdened in his body or goods,
norshall he otherwise account ofhisreiigious
opinions or belief but that all 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 wen know this Assembly, elected
BY the people for the ordinary purposes Of legis-
lation 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 dcclape 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. or to narrow its ope-
rations, such an act viii be an Infringement Of
natural right.
The following preamble and resolutions,
adopted at q mass meeting Of the citizens Of
Washington, on the 27th day Of September
last present tho 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, on the 9th instant
upon 9 call made in and approved by the Executive
sad 70 have been adopted at that meeting and in the
speeches of certain selected orators ut subsequent
adjourned meeting are spread before the public
oye in the columns of said organ, and its kindred
items, however dressed up in abstract professions Of
patriotism, asiall principles dear TO the American
heart and necessary TO the safety of the constitution
and 70 the peace and prosperity Of country; and
from public employment such oficeholders as enter
tain those principles thereby to perperate ruthless
prescription Of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference Of opinion therefore
stitution and TO civil and religious freedom, when
contradicted by actions cannot deceive the sensible
and vigilant guardians Of American liberty, whose
approximations have been excited at beho1ding the
troll Of our government by the subjects Of foreign
potentats well-known as the avowed enemy Of our
whole American system, TO whose overthrow they
are solemnly devoted.
Resol0sd That as vigilant custodians Of that bene
fcent system of civil and religious freedom bequeath-
ed TO by the fathers of the republic it s our duty
TO meet and repel all insdious attacks upon our lib
critics as well as all open assaults and that view
with indignation and alarm the assertion Of princi-
pies and purposes, on the part Of the recognised
gonents OF the Roman Catholic Church in the United
states, subversive Of republican institutions,
now m q saIa %
70 the overthrow Of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment of despotism.
Resotoed That while In the past political divsions
OF the 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
hold dear we will bury every remembrance Of past
fortunes, and our sacred honor net 10 cease our er
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace IL
Rssotred That we proclaim, as the cardinal priaci-
pies OF our political and moral creed sacred regard
for the constitution in all its provisions upon which
are based our glorious American princples-freedom
Of speech freedom Of opinion, freedom Of conscience
freedom q the press, together with school system
Bible - the rule Of fath and practice holding as an
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
essential 70 the success Of free government
RA.o!psd, That while we welcome 70 our country
the victims Of tyranny from foreign lands and oer
them place by our sde under the shield Of our con-
stituton claim for Americans the right 70 govern
their own country; and those who do not like our
governmest have our hearty consent 70 20 elsewhere
Rssclsed That the fourth resolution Of the meeting
ct Carud's Saloon, recommending 70 the President OF
the United States prescription OF all officers Of the
federal government who may have thought ft 70 be-
como members Of the association Of Know Knoth-
ings-s Recommendation which, befre its adoption,
had been recognized and Bcted upon by the Execu-
tive Of the United Stases-,proposes alarming and
dangerous infracson Of the principles Of selfgovern
msnt and calls for the prompt and decisive rebuke
q all the free citssns Of these United States without
distinction OF party, sect, or creed.
hesoIued That every Protestant denomination In
tho United States maintains the constitutional prn
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 obsdence Of the civil to the ecclesiastical
authority both In Europe and America; the sad and
ru'nsus effects Of which, In the one, are seen In
countless emiRrsnts flying from its tyranny and
misery 70 our own happy land, and in the other in
wealth and vices Of The clergy, and in the ceaseless
insurrectons massacrcs and provorbial instability
Of our Southern sister Republics.
Rssotsed, That upon these principles we appeal
this meeting, to the people Of the United States;
and, although we might infer they are an exponent
Of executive feelings from the e6icial positions Of
those who controlled the proceedings yet we win stl
hope that the President who alone has the power,
viii srrest the prescription already begun Of faithful
officeboders, both Democrats and Whigs for daring
70 entertain American and Protestant sentiments,
and viii reject the mercenary suggestion urged upon
him by the fourth resolution Of the meeting fast week.
~ covert schcme 70 GRITTY the appetite of Office
seekers at the expense ef many who zealously and
efficiently aided IN his elevation 70 power and whose
removal under existing circumstances win a. an in
lIrna An a mn, ando fbc Liant
of the United States
fesolpsd, That having seen the denunciations that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fusonists' IF the North who are denounced as abb
sorbed IN "the traitorous factions" which distract
thoss States by which they are enc after another be-
ing PLACED in opposition 10 the administration, we
astonshed TO hear the pressing invtion in the
second resolution Of our opponents 70 men of all po-
ltoL opinions, without regard 70 their political
anfecedents," v form "fusien" with them in their
future sctionan invitation broad enough TO include
Garrison. Abby Kelly, and Fred Douglas, besides
their coadjutors In the two houses Of Congress.
R.solped That we, Toe, appeal to all Americans
who love the Union, which 'nust be preserved and
the constitution which established and maintains it.
and the rights Of the States which compose IT. and
f.l1~~ .-.I.-- =.