Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-23

ments OF Others only as they shall square with. or
differ nom, his own; that II Is time enough for the
rlghtful purposes of civil government, for its Off
cers 70 Interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and,
nna that truth is great and win 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 dsarmed 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 the General A.
ssnbly, 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 burdened in his body or goods
norsha he otherwise suffer on account ofhis
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-
latlon 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 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 27th day of September
last present tho 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
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 itsk kindred
presses with approbation and whereas said resolu-
uons however dressed up in abstract professions of
patriotism, asIal principles dear to the American
heart and necessary to the safety of The constitution
whereas the Executive Is invoked therein 70 remove
rom public employment such oficeholders as enter.
tain those principles thereby to perpetrate ruthless
prescription Of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference Of epinion: therefere-
hesolgsd That mere professions of love TO the con-
sttutlon and to civil and religious freedom, when
oontradicted BY actions cannot deceive the sensible
and ylgilant guardans Of American liberty, whose
apprehensaons have been excited at beholding the
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
are solemnly devoted.
Rssolpsd That, as vigilant custodaus Of that bene
dcent system Of civil and religious freedom bequeai-
cd 70 us by the fathers Of the republic ii il our duty
TO meet and repel all insdous attacks upon our ib-
ertes as well as all open assaults and that view
with indignation and alarm the assertion Of priuci-
pies and purposes the part of the recognised ex-
ponents Of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
states, subyersive OF cur republican institutions
which constitute aggressons of such q character
that II not now resisted. will lead at no distant day
70 ths overthrow Of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment of despotism
Rssosocd, That while in the past political divisions
o. the country, as Wings and Democrats we have
and measures, all Of which are now settled. yet in
the present crisis Of danger 70 all that both parties
hold dear we will bury every remembrance Of past
opposition, and pledge 70 each other our lives, our
fortunes, and our sacred honor net 10 our ex
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace II
ResoIosd, That we proclaim, M the cardinal princi-
pies OF our political and moral creed sacred regard
are based our glorious American principles
Of speech, freedom Of opinion freedom Of conscience,
freedom OF the press together with school system
Tor ne dnnsion Of ofintegence sanctifed by an open
estAbished principle that intelligence and virtue are
essentisl to the success Of free government
Rescfued, 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-
stituton, wc claim for Americans the right 10 govern
their own country; and these who do not like our
government have our hearty consent 70 20 elsewhere
IN the pursuit Of happiness.
Reslosd That the fourth resolution of the meeting
a Carusis Saloon, recommending 70 the President ei
The United States prescription Of ali officers Of the
federal government who may have thought ft 70 be-
come members Of the association Of Know Knoth-
.I.fs<
had been recognised and acted upon by the Exeeu-
tive Of the United States an alarming and
dangerous infrsction Of the principles of selfgovern
ment and calls for the prompt and decisive rebuke
distinction Of party, sect or creed
RseolpedJ That every Protestant denomination In
The united States maintains the constitutional prn-
oiPle Of separation Of Church and State-i5 which
principle many American Catholics sincerely concur
while on the other band, the Papal Church abroad
openly, and alwryl and everywhere maintains the
doctrine OF obedience OF the civil 70 the ecclesiastical
snthsrity, both IN Europe and America; the sad and
ruineus effects Of which, in the one, are seen In
countless emigrsnts flying from It's tyranny and
misery 70 our own happy land and In the other, in
the .ignorsnce and poverty Of the masses, in the
weslth and vices Of the Clergy and IN the ceaseess
Of our Southern sister Republics.
hssotpcd, That upon these principles we appeal
nom the opinions, whose proclamation has caused
a saa Isss . ns %s. RsiPs & q s1 the Uu.'s
Of executive feelings from the eficj positions Of
those who controlled the proceedings yet we will still
hope that the President who alono has the power
viii arrest the prescription already begun Of faithful
both Democrats and Wings, for daring
70 entertain American and Protestant sentiments,
and will reject the mercenary suggestion urged upon
him by the fourth resolution of the meeting fast week
as covert scheme 10 GRITTY the appetite Of Office
seekers nj the expense sf many who zealousiy and
efficiently aided in his elevation 10 power and whose
removal under existing circumstances viii 6x an in
deible stain upon him AZ man and ~ the President
of the United States.
fesoiped, That having seen the denunciations that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fusionstso II the North who are denounced az alb
sorbed in "the traitorous factions which distrac,
hoss States by which they are enc after another be-
ing placed in opposition 70 the administration, we
were sstonisbed 70 hear the pressing invion in the
second resolution Of our opponents 70 men Of all po-
lics opinions, without regard 10 their political
snfacedeotn n form f,.ay, Nth than, h, t,eir