Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-26
WASHINGTON. D. G. MONDAY AFTERNOON FEBRUARY e 1856


ments of Others only as they shall square with, or
differ rom bis own that it is time enough for the
rghuui purposes OF civil government, for its Off
GERS TO Interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and,
iinally 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 interposition disarmed of
her natural weapons, free argument and debate,
errors ceasing to be dangerous when it is permitted
freely to combat them.
BE ii, therefore enacted 5y the General As
sema5ly That no man shall be compelled 10 fire..
quent or support any religious worship place, or
ministry whatsoever, nor shall he be enforced re-
strained, molested burdened in his BODY or goods
shall otherwise suffer on account ofhs religious
opinions or belief but that all men shall be free 10
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 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 irrevocable would be Of no effect in law
yet, we are free to declare, 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, to its ope-
ratons, such an act will bo an Infringement of
natural right.
The following preamble and resolutions,
adopted at a 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 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 Caruss Saloon, the 10th instant
upon cali 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 resou-
dens, however dressed up in abstract professions of
patriotism, asual principles dear to the American
heart ana necessary to the safety Of the constitution
ana 70 the peace and prosperity of country; and
Whereas the Executive is invoked therein to remove
from public employment such oficeholders as enter
tain those principles thereby to perpetrate ruthless
prescription of both Whirs and Democrats for an
honest difference of epinion: therefore
heotoed That mere professions of love to the con-
stitution and to civil and religious freedom, when
contradicted by actions, cannot deceive the sensible
and yigilant guardians of American liberty whose
apPrehensions have been excited at behofdng the
strides that have been made toward complete con-
troll of our government by the subjects Of foreign
potentate wellknown the avowed enemy of our
whole American system, to whose overthrow they
are solemnly devoted.
Resotped, That vigilant custodians of that bcne-
hcent system Of civil and religious freedom beaueath-
90 TO us by the fathers of the republic it is duty
TO meet and repel all insdious attacks upon our lib
critics as well as all open assaults and that we view
with indignation and alarm the assertion of prnci-
pies and purposes, on the part of the recognised
ponents OF the Roman Catholic Church in the United
states, subversive Of eur republican institutions,
which constitute aggressons of such character
that If not now resisted, will lead at distant day
TO the overthrow Of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment Of despotsm.
Resolced 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, vet in
hold dear we will bury every rspsmbrance Of past
opposition, and "pledge to each other our lives,
fortunes, and our sacred honor net to ex-
eruons until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace IT.
Hesotted, That we proclaim, as the cardinal prnci-
Piles Of our political and moral creed, sacred regard
Tor ths constitution in all its provisions, upon which
are based our glorious American principles-freedom
of speech, freedom of opinion freedom of conscience
freedom of the press, together with school system
for the diffusion Of intelligence sanctifed by open
Bible as the rule of fath and practice, holding as
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
Resotped, That while we welcome TO our country
the victims Of tyranny from foreign lands and offer
them place by side under the shield of con-
sttution, claim for Americans the right TO govern
their own country; and these who do not like our
government have our hearty consent 10 20 elsewhere
il the pursuit Of happiness.
Rssosced That the fourth resolution Of the meeting
at Caruss Saloon, recommending to the President OF
the United States prescription Of all officers Of the
federal government who may have thought fit to be-
come members OF the association Of Know KDoth-
ings-a recommendation which, before its adoption,
had been recognised and acted upon by the Erecu-
tive Of the United States proposes an alarming and
dangerous nfrscton Of the principles Of selgovern-
ment and calls for the prompt and decisive rebuke
Of all the free citizens Of these United States without
distinction Of party, sect, creed
Resotped That every Protestant denomination in
the United States maintains the constitutional prin-
cple 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 to the ecclesiastical
authority both In Europe and America; the sad and
ruineus effects Of which, m the one, are seen In
countless emigrnnts flying from its tyranny and
misery TO 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
insurrections, massacrcs, and proverbisl instability
of our Southern sister Republics.
Resotped, That upon these principles we appeal
from the opinions, whose proclamation has caused
this meeting, TO the people Of the United States
nuot hshouRn we mlEnt lnfer they are an exponent
Of executive feelings, from the Official positions Of
those who controlled the prooeedings yet we will still
hope that the President who alone has the power
Will arrest the prescription already begun Of faithful
oficebolders, both Democrats and Wings, for daring
70 entertain American and Protestant sentiments
and viii reject the mercenary suggestion urged upon
him BY the fourth resolution Of the meeting last week.
as covert scheme TO crafty the appetite of Office
seekers at the expense VI many who zealously and
efficiently aided in bis elevation 10 power, and whose
removal under existing circumstances viii fix an in
delible stain upon him a and as the President
Of the United States.
fssotved, That having seen the denunciations that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fusonistsD ef the North, who are denounced as abb
sorbed in the traitoruus factions" which distract
those States by which they after another be
ing placed in opposition TO the administration, we
were astonished 70 hear the pressing invton in the
second resolution Of opponents to Of all po
hticai opinions, without regard to their political
antecedents," 10 form "fusien" with them in their
ftIture action-an nvitatim hrnad enaueh In include