Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-05-08
WASHINGTON D. G. TUESDAY AFTERNOON. MAY g. 1856.

ments OF others only as they shall square with, or
differ fom, his own; that II Is time enough for the
rightful purposes of civil government for its Off
GERS 70 interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and,
finally that truth is great and viii 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 q, therefore, snacted Jy the General As
ssmbiy, 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 burdened in his body or goods
nor shall otherwise suferon 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.
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 free to DECLARE and do declare, that the
rights hereby asserted of the natural rights Of
mankind, and that IL any act shall be hereafter
passed to repeal the present. to narrow It's ope-
rations, such an act will be an infringement of
natural right. a
The following preamble and resolutions,
adopted at o 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 tho country,
to wit:
Whereas, public meeting Of citizens Of Washing
ton was held at Carusis Saloon on the 10Th instant
upon q call made in and approved by the Executive
organ, the proceedings of which, in the resolutions
sad TO have been adopted at that meeting and in the
speeches Of certain selected orators at subsequent
adjourned meeting are spread before the public
eye in the columns Of said organ, and it's kindred
presses, with appreciation; and whereas said resolu
ITEMS however dressed up in abstract professions Of
patriotism asual principles dear to the American
neart ana necessary TO the safety Of the constitution
and to 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 perperate ruthless
prescription OF both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference of opinion therefore
RssotDed, That mere professions of love TO the con-
stitution and TO civil and religious freedom when
oontradcted by actions cannot deceive the sensible
and vigilant guardians of American liberty, whose
strides that have been made toward complete con-
troll Of our government by the subjects Of foreign
potentate well-known as the avowed enemy of our
whole American system, to whose overthrow they
yre solemny devoted. -
RssolUed That as vigilant custodians of that bene
hcent system Of civil and religious freedom bequeath
cd to us by the fathers Of the republic it is our duty
70 meet and repe all insidious attacks upon our lib
critics as well as all open assaults; and that view
with indignation and alarm the assertion Of princi
pies and purposes, on the part Of the recognised
ponents Of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
States subversiye of eur republican institutions,
which constitute aggressions Of such character
that II not resisted will lead at no distant day,
70 the overthrow Of the American Consultation and
the complete establishment Of despotism.
Rssosoed, 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 TO all that both parties
hold dear we will bury every remembrance Of past
opposition, and pledge 70 each other our lives,
fortunes, and our sacred honor net 70 cease our ex
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace IL
Rssolped, That we proclaim, a. the cardinal princi
pes Of our political and moral creed sacred regard
for the constitution in all its provisions upon which
are based our glorious American principles
Of spesch, freedom Of opinion, freedom of conscience
freedom Of the pross, together with school system
for the diffusion Of intelligence sancted by open
establishsd principle that intelligence and virtue are
essential % the success Of . free government
Rssolurd, That while We welcome to our country
the victims Of tyranny from foreign lands and Offer
them place by our side under the shield Of our con-
sttuton, we claim for Americans the right TO govern
tAeir own country; and those who do not like our
government hava our hearty consent 10 20 elsewhere
n the pursuit Of happiness.
HssoSved That the fourth resolution Of the meeting
At Csruais Saloon, Recommending to the President OF
the United States prescription Of all officers Of the
federal government who may have thought ft 10 be-
come members OF the association Of Know Knoth-
ings-a recommendation which, before it's adoption,
tive Of the United States--proposes an Alarming and
dangerous infraction Of the principles Of sefQovern-
ment and calls for the prompt and decisive rebuke
Of all the free citizens Of these United States without
distinction Of party, sect, or creed.
Resoired That every Protestant denomination In
the United States maintains the constitutional prn-
ciple Of separation Of Church and State-in which
principle many American Catholics sincerely concur
openly, and always, and everywhere maintains The
doctrine OF obedience Of the civil 30 the ecclesiastc
authsrity, both In Europe and America; the sad and
ruineus effects Of which, in the one, are seen in
misery 70 our own happy land, and in the other, IN
the Ignorance and poverty Of tho masses, in the
wealth and vices OF the clergy and in the ceaseless
insurrectons massacres, and provcrbia 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
and, although we might infer they are an exponent
Of executive feelings from the eicial positions OF
those who controlled the proceedings yetwe win still
hope that the President who alone has the power,
viii arrest the prescription already begun Of faithful
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 Of many who zcalousy and
efficiently aided In his elevation 10 power and whose
removal under existing circumstances will fx an in
delible stain upon him man and as the President
Of the United States.
hesoIced, That having seen the denunciations that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
fusionists' II the North who are denounced as abb
sorbed in "the tratorous factions" which distract
those States BY which they after another be-
ing placed In opposition TO the administration, we
were sstonished 10 hear the pressing invton in the
second resolution of opponents 70 OF all po-
liticsl opinions without regard 10 their "political
antecedents," 70 form "fusenn with them in their
future sctionan invitation broad enough 10 include
Garrison, Abby Kelly, and Fred Douglas, besides
their cosdiutors in the two houses Of Congress.
R>sotced, That we, too, appeal TO all Americans
who love the Union, which "must be preserved and