Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-09
WASHINGTON.D D. G.. MONDAY AFTERNOON, April O 1856

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nents of others only as they shall square WITH or
diner from, his own that it Is time enough for the
rghtiui purposes Of civil government, for its Off
Gers 70 Interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and,
nnally that truth Is great and will prevail If left TO
herself that she Is tie proper and stfioent 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 70 be dangerous when it is permitted
freely to combat them.
Be d, therefore, enacted by the General As
ssrn6Iy, That no man shall be compelled to fire.
qlent or support any religious worship, place. or
ministry whatsoever, nor shall he be enforced re-
strained, oested or burdened in his body or goods,
nor shall he otherwise sueron account 0fs religious
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. @ Aa- MI
And though we well 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 irreyocablo 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 It's one
rations, such an act will be an infringement Of
natural right. .>
n The following preamble and resolutions,
adopted at mass meeting of the citizens OF
Washington, on the 27th 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 on the 10th instant
upon call made in and approved BY the Executive
organ, the proceedings Of which, in the Resolutions
sasa 70 have been adopted at that meeting and in the
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-
homessr dressed ap in absrac
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 to remove
from pubic employment such officehoiders enter
tain those principles thereby TO perpetrntc ruthless
prescription Of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest diherencc Of opinion. thefafcre- y
sso1ced, That mere professions Of love 10 the con-
sttaton and 70 civil and religious freedom, when
contradcted By actions cannot deceive the sensible
ana v,gilant guardians Of American liberty, whose
approximations have been excited at behotdinr the
strides that have been made toward domplstc con-
uoi Of our government BY the subjects Of foreign
potentatc well-known a. the ayowed enemy of our
whole American system, TO whose overthrow they
are solemnly devoted. n
Resolced, That as vgilant custodane ef that bcre-
ncent system Of civil and religious freedom beqtest
ed to us by the fathers Of the republic II is our duty
70 meet and repe all insidious attacks upon our lib
ertles as we'll as all open assaults and that we view
with indignation and alarm the assertion of princ-
pies and purposes, on the part Of the recognised
ponents OF the Honsp Catholic Chprch In the United
states, subversive opsur republican institutions,
which constitute aggrcssions of such character
that II not now resisted, will lead at no distant day
70 70 tne overthrow OF the American Constitution and
tne complete establishment OF despotsm.
Reeotoed, 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, yet in
the present crisis Of danger 70 all that 10th bares
hold dear We will bury every remembrance Of past
opposition and "pedge 10 each other our lives our
fortunes and our sacred honor net 70 cease our ex-
srnons Until our country shall be freed from the
dangeH that now menace il s41t
nesosse fhat We 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-freedom
Of fspecch, freedom of opinion, freedom Of conscience
freedom Of the press, together with school system
for the diffusion Of intelligence sanoti6ed BY an open
Bible ss the rule Of faith and practice, holding a. an
estabshed principle that intelligence and virtue are
osspntin 10 the success OF free government
Rcolpsdl That vhile, We welcSms 10 our county
the victims 6f tyranny nom fbreign lands and Offer
tsen place BY side under the shield Of our con-
satuuon, we claim for Americans the right TO govern
their own country; and those who do not Ike our
government have hearty consent 70 10 elsewhere
in the pursuit Of happiness. II
R~sotcsd, That the fourth resolution of the meeting
At o1russ Saloon recommending TO the President OF
lhs United States prescription OF all offeets Of the
fedefzl government who rhay have Thought bt 10 Be-
come nieinbefs OF the association Of Know Knoth-
ings.s Recommendation which, before rs adoption;
BAG Der rsDoEnissd and acted upon bt sbs Bseeus
I've of the pnitsd shtes proposes an alarming and
dxhHerous inracton Of the principles of selfroyern-
ment and c-iis nor the prompt and decisive rebuke
OF All the free citizens OF these United States without
distinction Of party, sect or creed.
hesoaoed That every Protestant denomination in
ths United States maintains te consHtutunhl pfin-
cPe OF separation Oh Church and State--in which
ptneipie many Ameficah Catholics sincerely concur
while on the other hand, The Pspal Church abroad
dbeuiBs q obedienee Of the cyii 70 ihe eccesastial
authority, both in Europe and America, the sad and
rusneus effects Of which, In the one, are seen In
countless efnigrants flying from its tyranny and
seTy 5s 70 our own happy land and IN the other IN
wealth and vices Of The Clergy, and in The ceaseess
insurrechons, massacres and proverbal instability
Of our southern sister Republics.
Rssotred, That upon these principles we appeal
taeNa1tss"&.h N@f.@S%
this meeting, 70 the people Of the United States
and, although we might infer they are an exponent
Of executive feelings, from the eeial positions Of
those who controlled the proceedings yet we win still
hope that the President who alone has the power,
will arrest the prescription already begun Of faithful
ofhcsbolders, both Democrats and Wings for daring
70 entertain American and Protestant sentiments,
ana will reject the meroenary suggestion urged upon
him BY The fourth resolution OF the meeting fast week.
s covert scheme 10 crafty the appetite Of Office
seekers at the expense Of many who zealously and
efficiently aided in his elevation 70 power and whose
removal under existing circumstances will fx an in
delible stain upon him as man and the President
Of the United States.
hssosped That having seen the denunciations that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fusonistso II the North who are denounced as alb
sorbed In the traitorous factions which distract
thoss States by which they are enc after another be-
ing placed in opposition 70 the administration, we
were asfonished 70 hear the pressing inviton in the
second resolution Of opponents 70 men Of all po
htioal opinions, without regard 10 their "political
sutecedents' ts form 'fusien" with them in their
future sctionan invitation broad enough 10 include
Gsrrisen, ABBY Kelly and Fred Douglas, besides
ther coadutors In the two houses OF Congress.
Resotvsd That we, too, appeal to all Americans