Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-28

IlO1Ns IL O.s SA i OhlJA
ments Of others only as they shall square with, or
diner from, his own; that 1t Is time enough for the
rightfnl purposes of civil government for its off,
GERS to interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and,
nnally that truth is great and viii prevail If left to
herself that she s the proper and sufficient antag-
onist Of error, and has nothing to fear from the
conflict unless by human interposition disarmed of
her natural weapons, free argument and debate,
errors ceasng to be dangerous when II is permitted
freely 10 combat them. e8ad
se'nbiy 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 molested or rburdened in his body or goods
norsha he otherwise suffer on account
opinions or belief but that all men 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.
B And though we 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 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. or to narrow its ope-
rations, such an act will be an infringement Of
natural right. H
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
arid 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-
nens however dressed up in abstract professions of
patriotism, asual 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 officeholders as enter
tain those principles thereby to perpetrate ruthless
prescription of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference Of opinion: therefore ..
ResotOed That mere professions of love to the con-
stitution and TO civil and religious freedom, when
contradicted by actions cannot deceive the sensible
and vigilant guardians Of American liberty, whose
apprehenBions have been excited al behofdinp the
strides that have been made toward complete con
tro OF our government by the subjects of foreign
potentate well-known as the avowcd enemy Of our
whole American system, to whose overthrow they
are solemnly devoted. ta&
Rssolpsd, That as vgiant custodians Of that bene-
fcent system of civil and religious freedom bequeath
ed to US by the fathers of the republic il Is our duty
to meet and repel all nsidious attacks upon our lib
ertles as well As all open assaults and that we view
tba aoa nf nrirar
ples and purposes on the part of the recognised ex
ponents Of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
states, subversive of eur republican institutions,
that Il not now resisted will lead at no distant day
70 the overthrow Of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment of despotism.
Rssotoed, That while, in the past political divisions
q the country, ~ as Whigs and Democrats. we have
and measures, all Of which are now settled, yet in
the present crisis Of danger to all that both parties
bold dear we viii bury every remembrance Of past
ana snd % each ose. 9th eur lives our
ertdous until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace it
Rssotped, That proclaim, as the cardinal princi-
pies Of our political and moral creed sacred regard
tor the constitution in all its provisions, upon which
are based our glorious American prnciples-frcedom
OF speech. freedom Of opinion, freedom of conscience
freedom Of the press, together with school system
ior me dinuson q intelligence sanctlfed by an open
estabiished principle that intelligence and virtue
essential 10 the success Of free governments
Resotvsd, That while we welcome TO our country
the victims Of tyranny from foreign lands and offer
them place by side under the shield of our
sttution, We claim for Americans the right TO govern
their own country; and those who do not like our
government have hearty consent 10 70 elsewhere
II the pursuit Of happiness
Rsso,o, That The fourth resolution Of the meeting
at Carusi Saloon recommending TO the President OF
the United States prescription OF all officers Of the
federal government who may have thought ft to be-
coma members Of the associaton Of Know Knoth-
ings-a recommendation which, before lis adoption,
bad been recognised and acted upon by the Erecu-
tive Of the United States proposes alarming and
dangerous inacton Of the principles OF selfgovern-
N %sI, a. and c.s for the prompt and decisive rsbuke
distinction OF party, sect, or creed
Resotped, That every Protestant denomination In
the United States maintains the constitutional prin-
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 obedience Of the civil 10 the ecclesiastical
authority, both In Europe and America; the sad and
ruineus effects Of which, in the one, 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.
Rssotped, That upon these principles we appeal
from the opinions whose proclamation has caused
this meeting, 10 the people Of the United States !;
and, although we might infer they are an exponent
Of executive feelings, from the official positions OF
those who controlled the proccedings vet we will still
hope that the President who alone has the power,
win arrest the prescription already begun Of faithful
ofice-holders, both Democrats and Wings for daring
20 entertain American and Protestant sentiments,
and viii reject the mercensry suggestion urged upon
him by the fourth resolution of The meeting last week.
as covert scheme 10 crafty the appetite Of Office
seekers at the expense Of many who zealously and
efficiently aided in his elevation 10 power and whose
removal under existing circumstances win fI an i'm
delible stain upon him and as the President
Of the United States.
fesoJped, That having seen the denunciations that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fusionis' II the North, who are denounced as alb
sorbed in the traitorous factions" which distract
those STATES by which they after another be-
ing placed in opposition 70 the administration, we
astonished 10 hear the pressing invton in the
second resolution Of opponents 70 men Of all po-
litical opinions, without regard 10 their political
antecedcnts,r 70 form "fnsien" with them in their
future action-an invitation broad enough to include
Garrison, Abby Kelly, and Fred Douglas besides
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