Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-17


ments Of Others only as they shall square with, or
differ FROM his own; that it is time enough, for the
rghtful purposes Of civil government, for its Off
GERS 10 interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and,
nnay that truth is great and win prevail if left to
herself that she is the proper and sufficient antag-
onist Oh 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 It is permitted
freely to combat them.
, Be u, therefore, enacted By tho General As
se'nbly, That no man shall be compelled to fre-
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,
he otherwise suffer on account ofhsreiigious
opinions or belief but that all men shall be free to
profess and by argument to maintain, their opiri-
ions in matters OF religion and that the same shall
in no wise diminish, enlarge or affect their civil
capacities. H
And though we well know this Assembly, elected
by the people for the ordinary purposes of lepis.
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 are Of the natural rights Of
mankind, and that if any act shall be hereafter
passed to repeal the present. 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
tas., .a PieSolt tno generai senIiments OF the
american party IN TINS city, and Will doubt
less be read with interest by the friends of
American principles throuphout the country
~ u;t l - o'- o ooJ,
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
organ tne proceedings OF which, in the resolutions
sas0 70 have been adopted at that meeting and in the
speecnes q certain selected orators At subsequent
eye IN the columns OF said organ, and its kindred
presses with approbation and whereas said resolu-
uens however dressed up in abstract professions Of
patriotism, asDal principles dear to the American
heart and necessary to the safety Of the constitution
and 10 the peace and prosperity of country and
Whereas the Executive Is invoked therein to remove
rom PuDhc employment such oficeholders as enter
tain those principles thereby to perpetrate ruthless
prescription Of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest differences OF opinion: therefore
hesoSued That mere professions of love to the con-
sntution ana 70 civil and religious freedom, when
contradicted by actions, cannot deceive the sensible
and v,gilant guardians Of American liberty, whose
apprehensions have been excited at behofdng the
strides that have been made toward complete con-
uof VI our government Dy the SUBJECTS OF Foreign
potentate well-known as the avowed enemy Of our
whole american system, to whose overthrow they
are soiemnly devoted.
Hesotoed That as vigilant custodians Of that bene
ncent system OF civil and religious freedom bequeath-
ed to us by the fathers of the republic it is our duty
70 meet and repei al insdious attacks upon our lib
critics as well as all open assaults; and that view
WIN indgnation ana alarm the assertion OF princi-
pies ana purposes on the part OF the recognised ex
gonents Of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
oM.es' snDvernve OF eur republican institutions
winch consntnte aggressions of such q character
lnat not now resisted viii lead at no distant day.
70 tne overthrow of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment of despotsm.
4ssoeoed Ihat while In the past political divisions
OF the country as wings and Democrats, we have
struggled an honest conflict over contested principles
ana measures all OF which are now settled, yet In
the present crisis OF danger TO all that both parties
hoid dear we VIII bury every remembrance of past
ana pledge 70 eacn other our lives, our
iorunes ana our sacred honor net TO cease our ex-
sruons untii our country shall be freed from the
dangers tnat now menace it
hesoeoed That we proclaim, as the cardinal princi-
Pies o. our pohtca and moral creed sacred regard
Ior me constitution IN all Its provisions upon which
are oased our glorious American princlples-freedo
OF speech, freedom OF opinion freedom OF conscience
freedom Of the press together with school system
,or tne dnusion OF nteigence sanctifed BY an open
noe = sde RUE q n ana holding as an
esannsneo Princpie tnat inteihgence and virtue are
essentai 70 tne success OF frec government
hesotped, That while we welcome 70 our country
.he vioums OF tyranny rom foreign lands and offer
mem place py our SIDE under the shield OF our con-
sutuuon, we claim for Americans the right to govern
their own country; and these who do not like our
governmen. nave our nearly consent TO go elsewhere
: sne pursur ~ oi happiness,
ne0oed, Ihat the fourth resolution OF the meeting
saloon, recommending 70 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 knoth-
mgs-e recommcndahon which, before its adoption,
had been recognised and acted upon by the Execu-
i've OF the United States-proposcs an alarming and
dangerous nirachon OF the principles OF selgoyern-
ment, and calls for the prompt and decisive rebuke
o. all the free citizens OF these United States without
distincnon OF party, sect or creed
heSeoedy Lhat every Profestant denomination in
ciPle of separation OF Church and State-in which
P,nc'pie many American Cathohcs sincerely concur,
wnlie on tne other hand, the Papal Church abroad