Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-13

rghtui purposes OF civil government for its OH
GERS TO interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and
finally, that truth is great, and win prevail fef to
herself that she Is the proper and sufficient antag-
onist OF error, and has nothing to fear from the
conflict, unless by human nterposition disarmed Of
her natural weapons free argument and debate,
errors ceasing TO be dangerous when ii Is permitted
freely to combat them.
BE u, hersfore @sacted BY tho General As-
scnbly That no man shall DO compelled to fire.
quent or support any religious worship, place. or
ministry whatsoever, nor shall he be enforced re-
strained, molcsted or burdened in hsbody or goods
nor shall eotherwise suffer ON
opinions belief but that all men shall be free TO
profess, and by argument to maintain their 0pir-
Ions In matters of religion, and that the same shan
Ia no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil
capacities.
And thoughwe well know this Assembly, elected
by the people for the ordinary purposes of legs-
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 free to declare, and do declare, that the
rights hereby asserted are Of the natural rights Of
mankind, and that IL any act shall be hereafter
passed to repeal the present or to narrow its ope-
rations, such an act will be an infringement Of
natural right.
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:
4 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
said 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 appreciation; and whereas said resolu
ens, however dressed up in abstract professions Of
patriotism, asuai principles dear to the American
heart and necessary to the safety of the constitution
Whereas the Executive is invoked therein to remove
from public employment such oficehoders as enter
tain those principles, thereby TO perperate ruthless
prescription of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference OF opinion: therefore
Rssoosd That mere professions Of love to the con.
sutution and 10 civil and religious freedom when
contradcted by actions cannot deceive tho sensible
and vigiiant guardians Of American liberty, whose
apprehensions have been excited at beholding the
strides that have been made toward a complete con.
troll Of our government by the subjects of foreign
potentate welI-known as the avowed enemy of our
whole American system, 70 whose overthrow they
ResoLpsd, That ms ygilant custodans Of that bene-
fcent system Of civil and religious freedom beqneath.
ed 70 US by the fathers Of the republic 1t is duty
to meet aud repel all nsidious attacks upon our lib
critics as well al open assaults and that we view
with indignation and alarm the assertion of princi-
Piles and purposes on the part OF the recognised
ponents OF the Roman Catholic Church in the United
States subverrive of sur Republican, institations,
! which constitute agKressions of such character
that II now resisted will lead at no distant day
70 the overthrow a the American Constitution and
| the complete establishment Of despotism.
Resoped That while, In the past political divisions
| Of the country, az 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 10 all that both parties
bold dear we win bury every remeufbrance Of past
opposition aud pledge 10 each other lives, our
fortunes and our sacred honor net TO cease our
ertiops until our country shah be freed from the
| dangers that now menace it,
| Resotoed That we proclaim as the cardinal princi-
pies OF our political and moral creed sacred regard
for the constitution In all its provisions upon which
are based our glorious American principles
Of speech, freedom Of opinion, freedom Of conscence,
freedom of the press, together with school systom
for the diffusion Of intelligence sancted BY open
Bible as the rule Of faith and practice holding
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
essential TO the success Of free governments
Reaotved, That while we welcome 70 our country
the victims Of tyranny from f6regn lands, and offer
them place by our side under the shield Of
stitution we claim for Americans the right TO govern
their own country; and those who do not Ike our
government have our hearty consent 10 10 elsewhere
II the pursuit Of happiness :
ResolVed That the fourth resolution Of the meeting
at Carusis Saloon, recommending 10 the President 81
the United States prescription OF all ofiicers Of the
federa government who may have thought ht 70 be-
| come members Of the association Of Know Knotb-
ngs.a accommodation which, before It's adoption,
bad been recognised and acted upon By the Execu-
tive Of the United States proposes aiarming and
dangerous praction Of the principles Of selEguvurn-
ment and calls for the prompt and dccisive rebuke
Of all the free citizens Of these United States without
distinction OF party, sect, or creed.
| RseotUed, That every Protestant denomination In
the United States maintains The conslfptonal prin-
ciple Of separation OF Church and State-in which
principle many American Catholics sincerely concur,
while on the other hand. the Papal Chrrch abroad
| openly, and always, and everywhere maintains the
doctrine Of obedience Of the civil 70 the ecclesiastical
authority, both In Europe and Amerca; Abe sad and
countless emigants flying from IL tyranny aud
misery TO our own happy land, and In The ether, In
the Ignorance and poverty Of the masses, In the
wealth and vices Of the esrg and = hs ess,ssss
Of our Southern sister Republics.
Resclped, That upon these principles we appeal
from the opinions, whose proclamation has caused
sns Although We % might 'iPs sr hs9 ' j. ~n's ~ s.ponss
Of executive feelings from the official positions Of
those who controlled the proceedings YET We win st
hope that The President who alone has the power,
viii arrest the prescription already begun Of fsithfu
offceholders, both Democrats and WhiQz f,r daring
20 entertain Americzn and Protestant sentimental
and viii reject the mercenary sugHeshcr urged upon
him by the fourth resolution OF the meeting ast week.
as covert scheme 10 crafty the appetifs Of Office
seekers at the expense If many who xsalously and
efficiently aided in his elevation 10 power and whose
removal under existing circumstances will ix In
deble stain upon him as man and as tho President
of the United States.
kesoivsd, That having seen the denunciations that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fnsionists # the North, who are denounced as abb
sorbed in "the traitorous factions which distract
those States by which they are enc after another be-
ing placed in opposition 70 the administration, we
were astonished 70 hear the pressing invton in the
second resolution Of our opponents 70 men Of All po.
litical opinions, without regard TO their political
antecedents," 10 form "fnsien with them IN their
future actionan invitation broad enough 20 include
Garrison, Abby Kelly and Fred Dougias, besides
their coadjutors In the two houses Of Congress.
Resobped That We too, appeal to all Americans
who love the Union, which must be preserved and
the constitution, which established and maintains ID,
and the rights Of the States which compose IL and
especially 70 the religious, the moral, and the order
lnvng cnsses, TO unite with ne In ecctinR the re-
rms necessary 70 the safety and prosperity Of our