Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-05-11

menus of otners only as they snail square with, or
differ nom, his own; that it is time enough, for the
rightful purposes Of civil government, for Its Off
GERS TO interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and,
hnay that truth is great and viii prevail left to
herself that she is the proper and sufficient antag
onst OF error, and has nothing to fear from the
conflict, unless by human nterposition disarmed Of
her natural weapons, free argument and debate,
errors ceasng to be dangerous when Il is permitted
freely to combat them.
Be IL, therefore, enacted BY the General as.
senbiy, 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, moested rburdened in his body or goods,
norshal he otherwise suffer account ofhisreiigiUas
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 thoughwe well know this Assembly. elected
by the people for the ordinary purposes Of legis-
lation only, have 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 II any act shall be hereafter
passed to repeal the present. or to narrow Its ope-
rations, such an act win be an Infringement Of
natural right
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 will doubt
less be read with interest BY the friends Of
American principles throughout the country,
to wit:
Whereas, public meeting Of citrzens of Washing
ton was held at Carusis Saloon, the 10Th instant
upon call made in and approved by the Executive
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 approbation and whereas said resolu-
ens, however dressed up in abstract professions Of
patriotism, asial principles dear to the American
heart ana necessary TO the safety Of the constitution
whereas the Executive is invoked therein to remove
from public employment such of6ceholders as enter
tain those principles thereby TO perpetrate ruthless
prescription of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference of opinion therefore
Resotved That mere professions of love TO the con-
shtution and to civil and religious freedom, when
contradicted by actions, cannot deceive the sensible
and vigilant guardians Of American liberty whose
apprehenslons have been excited at behodipg the
strides that hare been made toward complete CON
troll Of our government by the subjects of foreign
potentate we-known az the avowed enemy of our
whole American system, to whose overthrow they
RssolUsd, That as yigant custodians Of that bene-
hcent system Of civil and religious freedom bequeath
ed 70 US by the fathers Of the republic it is our duty
to meet and repe all insidious attacks upon lib
critics as well as all open assaults and that view
with indignation and alarm the assertion Of princi-
Piles and purposes, the part of the recognised ex
ponents Of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
States, subyersive Of eur republican institutions,
of nv..~
that II not now resisted, win lead at no distant day,
TO the overthrow Of the American Constitution and
the complete establishments Of despotsm.
Rssotoed That while in the past political divisions
OF the country, as Wings and Democrats, we have
struggled in honest conflict contested principles
and measures, all Of which now settled, yet In
The present crisis Of danger 10 all that both parties
hold dear we VIII bury every remembrance Of past
opposition, and pledge TO each other our lives our
fortunes and our sacred honor net 70 cease
crtaons until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace II.
hcsotpsd, That we proclaim, ths cardinal prnci-
piss OF our political and moral creed aacred regard
TOR the constituton 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 q school system
Tor the diffusion Of intelligence sanctiied by an open
Bible ~ the rule Of faith and practce holding
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
essential % the success Of a free government
Reso}ped, That while we welcome 70 our country
The victims Of tyranny from foreign hands, and offer
them place by side under the shield of our con-
sttuton. claim for Americans the right 70 govern
tAer own country and these who do not like our
government have our hearty consent 10 60 elsewhere
IN the pursuit OF happiness.
Resolped, That the fourth resolution OF the meeting
Carus's Saloon, recommending 10 the President Of
The United States prescription Of all officers Of the
federal government who may have thought ft 70 be-
come members Of the association Of Know Knoth-
ings-A Recommendation which, before It's adoption,
bad besn recognized and acted upon By. the Execu.
tive Of the United States. proposes an alarming and
ment and calls for the prompt and decisive rebuke
Of all the free citizens OF these United Sstes without
distinction Of party, sect, or creed.
Rsso.usd That every Protestant denomination In
the United States maintains the constitutional prin
ciple Of separation Of Church and Stste-in which
principle many Amcrican Catholics sincerely concur
while on Che other hand, the Pspsl Church abroad
Openly and ssrsys and svsTywssrs =, S msiIs.ins the
authority, both In Europe and America; the sad and
ruinsus effects Of which, in the one, are seen In
countless emigrants flying from its tyranny and
mi misery 70 our own happy land and N the othsr IN
wealth and vices Of the clergy, and In the cesscless
insurrecons, massacres, and proverbial instability
Of our Southern sister Republics.
Resotssd, That upon these principles We appeal
from the opinions whose proclamation has CAUSED caused
this meeting, 70 the people Of the United States;
and, although we might infer they are an exponent
Of executive feelings, from the eicial positions Of
soro Nbo CohhUncu the prOcecdlnEh, yet 1--WE Will sun
hope that the President who alone has the power,
win arrest the prescription already begun Of faithful
offceholders, both Democrats and Wbigs for daring
20 entertain American and Protestant sentiments,
and win reject the mercenary suggestion urged upon
him BY the fourth resolution Of the meeting last week.
as covert scheme 10 crafty the appetite ef Office
seekers at the expense Of many who zealousy and
efficiently aided In his elevation 70 power and whose
removal under existing circumstances will FIX an in
delible stain upon him and a. the President
of the United States.
fesolped, That having seen the denunciations that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fusionists' If the North, who denounced abb
sorbed in the traitorous hctions" which distract
those States, by which they are one after another be-
ing placed in opposition 10 the administration, we
were astonshed TO hear the pressing invition in the
second resolution Of our opponents to men Of all po-
htical opinions, without regard 10 their political
snteoedents," - form 'usien" with them in their
future actionan invitation broad enough 10 include
Garrison. Abby Kelly, and Fred Douglas, besides
their coadiutors In the two houses Of Congress.
Resotged, That wo, too, appeal 10 all Americans
who love the Union, which 'must be preserved and
the constitution, which established and maintains IT,
and the rights Of tho States which compose il, and
especially 70 the religious the moral and the order
loving classes 70 unite with us In eecting the re-