Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-15

freely to combat them. +
BE IL, therefore, enacted By tho General As
sen6ty, 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 or burdcned in his body or goods
norshal he otherwise suffer on account ofhsreiigious
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-
lati0n 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 IL 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
The following preamble and resolutions,
adopted at 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 Caruss Saloon, on the 10th instant
upon call made in and approved by the Executive
organ, the proceedings of which, in the resolutions
sd 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-
ens, however dressed up in abstract professions of
patriotism, asusl principles dear to the American
tn nf tha ittr}io
and to the peace and prosperity Of our country and
whereas the Executive is invoked therein to
from public employment such oficehoders as enter
tain those principles thereby to perpetrate ruthless
prescription of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest diference of opinion: therefore 81
RseoL0ed That mere professions of love to the con-
sitution and to civil and religious freedom, when
contadictcd by actions cannot deceive the sensible
and vigilant guardians of American liberty, whose
apprehensions have been excited at beholding the
strides that have been made toward complete con-
troll Of our government by the subjects Of foreign
potentate well-known az the avowed enemy Of our
whole American system, to whose overthrow they
are solemnly devoted,
Resolued, That as vglant custodians of that bene-
hcent system of civil and religious freedom bequeath
cd 10 US by the fathers of the republic Il is our duty
% meet and repel all nsidious attacks upon lib
ssties as well as all open assaults; and that view
Hth indignation and alarm the assertion of princi-
- and purposes on the part of the recognised ex-
Pdnsns OF the Roman Catholic Church in the United
s6tM, subversive Of sur republican institutions,
which constitute aggressions of such character
that not now resisted, will lead at no distant day.
TO the overthrow Of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment OF despotism.
Resoloed, That WHILE in the past political divisions
of the country, as Wings and Democrats, we have
struggled In honest conflict contested principles
and measures, al Of which now settled, yet in
the present crisis Of danger to all that both parties
hold dear we win bury every remembrance Of past
opposition, and "pledge TO each other our lives our
fortunes, and our sacred honor" net to
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace it
ResoISed, That we proclaim, as the cardinal princi-
Piles Of our political and moral creed sacred regard
bf the constitution in all its provisions upon which
are based our glorious American principles freedom
Of speech freedom Of opinion, freedom Of conscience,
freedom q the prcss, together with a school system
for tho diffusion Of intelligence sanctifed by open
Bible the rule of faith and practice holding as an
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
cssentisl 10 the success Of free government
Resolped, 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
stution, we claim for Americans the right TO govern
their own country; and those who do not like our
government have our hearty consent 10 90 elsewhere
In the pursuit Of happiness.
Rsso1cd That the fourth resolution of the meeting
at Csrusis Saloon, recommending 10 the President OF
the United States prescription OF all officers of the
federal government who may have thought ct to be-
come members OF the association of Know Knoth-
ingr--a recommendation which, before It's adoption,
had bssn recognized and acted upon by the EIecu-
tive Of the United States--proposes an alarming and
dangerous infsction of the principles of sefgovern-
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.
ResoIted, That every Protestant denomination In
the United States maintains the constitutional prn
cple Of a 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
of aft tha
authority, both in Europe and America the sad and
ruineus effects Of which, in the one, are seen in
countless emigrants flying from It's tyranny and
misery TO our own happy land, and In the other, in
wealth and vices of the clergy, and In the ceaseless
Instructions, massacres and proverbia instability
Of our Southern sister Republics.
ResotUed, 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
6f executive feelings, from the official positions Of
those who controlled the proceedngs yetwe will still
hope that the President, who alone has the power,
will arrest the prescription already begun of faithful
oficeholders, both Democrats and Wings, for daring
20 entertain American and Protestant sentiments,
and will reject the mercenary suggestion urged upon
him by the fourth resolution Of tie meeting last week,
as covert scheme TO GRITTY the appetite OF ece-
seekers at the expense Of many who yealously and
efficiently aided in his elevation TO power and whose
removal under existing circumstances will fix an in
of the United States.
ksso5pNd, That having the denuncstions that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fusonists" ef the North, who denounced as abb
sorbed in "the traitorous factions" which district
those States by which they after another be-
ing placed in opposition TO the administration, we
astonished TO hear the pressing nvition in the
second resolution of opponents TO men OF all po-
liticai opinions, without regard TO their political
sntccedents," to form "fnsien" with them in their
future nctionan invitation broad enough 70 include
Garrison, Abby Kelly, and Fred Douglas, besides
their coadutors In the two houses Of Congress.
Rssotped, That we, too, appeal TO all Americans
who love the Union, which "must be preserved and
the constitution, which established and maintains it
and the rights of the States which compose II, and
especially to the religious, the moral, and the order
loving classes, TO unite with in effecting the re-
FIRMS necessary 10 the safety and prosperity Of our
country, believing, ss do that II is high time the
career Of Interested and unscrupulous dernsgogucs
should be checked and the government be placed in
the hands of men acqusnted with its character and
spirit and who duly value its countless blessings.
And whereas we believe in the competency, ability,
and right of Ameficanborn citizens TO govern their