Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-29

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ments Of Others only as they shah square with or
differ hon, his own; that 10 ID time enough for the
rghtfd 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 win prevail If left to
herself thst she is the proper and sufiaent antag-
onist Of error, and has nothing to fear from the
conhict unless BY human interposition disarmed of
her natural weapons, free argument and debate
errors ceasing lobe dangerous when it Is permitted
freely TO combat them. ,.s ~ IN,
BE Il, therefore, enacted by the General As
senbty, 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,
shahe otherwise suffer on account ofs religious
opinions or belief but that all men shall be free to
profoss, 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 aS rvA w Rts
And though we wen know this Assembly, elected
BY the pcoplS fbr the ordinary purposes Of leqs-
Ation only, have no power to restrain tho acts Of
succeeding assemblies constituted with powers
equal to our own; and that, therefore, to declare
this act rrevocable would be Of no effect in law 4
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 70 repeal the present or 10 narrow it's ope-
rations such an act will be an infringement Of
natural right. gsp ~F,,
The following preamble and resolutions,
adopted at q mass meeting Of the citizens Of
Washington, on the 37th 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:
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
sad to 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-
tens however dressed up in abstract professions Of
patriotism, aslal principles dear to the American
heart and necessary to the safety Of the constitution
and 70 the peace and prosperity Of our country and
Whereas the Executive is invoked therein to remove
from public employment such oficeholders as enter
tain those principles thereby 10 perpetrate ruthless
prescription Of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest RsalS aliierspos T Of opinion: therefsre
sttuton and to owl and religious freedom, when
contradicted BY actions cannot deceive the sensible
and vlg1iant guardians Of American liberty, whose
apprehensions have been excited at behofding the
strides that have been made toward complete con-
troll OF our government BY the subjects Of foreign
potentate wel-known as the avowed enemy of our
whole American system, to whose overthrow they
Resolpsd That as vgilant custodians Of that bene-
hcent system of civil and religious freedom beQueath
ed 70 us BY the fathers Of the republic IL duty
TO meet and repe all nsidous attacks upon our lib
critics as well all open assaults and that we view
with indignation and alarm the assertion Of prnci-
pies and purposes, the part OF the recognised
gonents Of the Roman Catholic Church IN the United
Sfufa ax.hw
which constitute aggressions Of such a character
that IL not now resisted will lead at distant day.
70 the overthrow Of the American Consultation and
the complete establishment Of despotism.
Resotced, That while, in the past political divisions
OF the country, asjWhigs and Democrats we have
struggled in honest conflict over contested principles
and measures, all Of which are now settled yet In
the present criss Of danger 10 all that both parties
hold dear we will bury every remembrance Of past
opposition, and pledge 70 each other our lives, our
fortunes, and our sacred honor net to cease
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace it.
Rssolved That we proclaim, a. the cardinal princi.
pies OF our political and moral creed sacred regard
for the constitution In all ts provisions, upon which
are based our glorious American principles
OF speech, freedom Of opinion, freedom Of conscience
freedom Of the press together with school system
for the diffusion of intelligence sancfed by an open
Bible as the rule Of ith and practice holding as an
esfsbhshed princple that intelligence and virtue
essential TO the success Of free government. srff
Resolpsd, That while we welcome 70 our country
the victims Of tyranny from foreign lands and offer
them place by side under the shield of our con-
sttuhon, we claim for Americans the right 10 govern
their own country; and these who do not Ike our
government have our hearty consent 10 70 elsewhere
n the pursuit Of happiness. s. '7esl .ai-s ~ -
RAsosred That the fourth resolution OF the meeting
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-
,ngs--s Recommendation which, before It's adoption,
had been reoognissd and acted upon BY the Erocu-
tive Of the United Ststcs-proposes an alarming and
dangerous infracton Of the principles OF selfeoven-
ment and calls for the prompt and decisive rebuke
o. Al the ee citzens of these United States without
distpcton OF party, sect or creed.
Resotred, That every Protestant Denomination In
The United States maintains the constitutional prin4
cipie OF separation OF Church and State-in which
principle many American Catholics sincerely osncur
while ON the other hand, the Pspsl Church abroad
openly, and always and everywhere maintains the
doctrine OF obedience of the civil 10 the ecclesiastical
authority, both 10 Europe and Americs The sad and
rutnsus effects Of which, in the one, are seen in
countlees emigrants flying from its tyranny and
misery 70 otfr own happy land and 10 the other, in
the tgnornnce and poverty Of the masses, In the
veslh and vioss Of the clergy, and In the ceassless
OF our SoutherD sister Republics.
hesctpsd, That upon these principles we appeal
nom the opinions, whose proclamation has caused
tbs meeting, 70 The people Of the United States
and, although we might infer they are an exponent
o. executive feelings from the efoisi positions Of
those who controlled the proceedinrs vet we will still
hope that the President who alone has the power,
will arrest the prescription already begun Of faithful
ohice-hoders both Democrats and Wings, for daring
70 entertain American and Protestant sentimental
and win reject the rnercenary suggestion urged upon
him BY the fourth resolution Of The meeting week
a. covert scheme 70 crafty the appetite Of Office
seekers st the efpenss ef many who zeslously and
efficiently aided in his elevation 10 power and whose
removal under existing circumstances viii fx in-
delihe stain pPop him as man and the President
Of The United States = n
fesolped, That having seen the denunciations that
almost aniy issue from certain presses against the
"fusioniss -f the North, who are denounced as abb
sorbed IN the tratorous factions" which distract
hoes States BY which they are after another be-
ing placed in opposition to the administration, we
we're sssonished 10 hear the pressing fnvton in the
second resolution Of our opponents to Of al po
hsscsi opinions, without regard TO their "pobtcsl
snteoedents1 = ts form rfusien" with them in their
future acton--an invitation broad enough 10 include
}arrisen, Abby Kelly, and Fred Douglas besides
their cosdiutors In the two houses Of Congress. +
R~otcsd That we, too, appeal 10 all Americans
who lore the Union, which "nust be preserved - and
.~..~x. st4--kt. a - aI.t