Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-02

ments OF others only as they shall square with, or
differ rom, his own that it is time enough for the
rightfnl purposes of civil government, for Its OFF,
GERS TO interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and,
finally that truth is great and win prevail ifef TO
herself that she is the proper and sufficient antag
onist OF error, and has nothing to fear from the
conflict unless by human interpositon dsaImed OF
her natural weapons, free argument and debate,
errors ceasng to be dangerous when 1t Is permitted
freely TO combat them.
BE "a, therefore, esaotsd by tho General As
semtty, That no man shall be compelled TO fre-
quent or support any religious worship, place, or
ministry whatsoever, shall he be enforced, re-
strained molested burdened in his body or goods
norshall otherwise account ofhisreiigious
opinions or belief but that al 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, affect their civil
capacities
And thoughwe well know this Assembly, elected
by the people for the ordinary purposes Of lcgis-
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
rations, such an sct 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 q call made IN and approved by the Executive
organ, the proceedings of which, in ths resolutions
said to have been adopted at that meeting and in the
speeches of certain selected orators subsequent
adjourned meeting, are now spread before the public
eye IN the columns Of said organ, and its kindred
presses with appreciation and whnreas said resolu-
TONS however dressed up in abstract professions OF
patriotism, asDa.l principles dear TO the American
heart and necessary TO the safety of the constitution
and TO the peace and prosperity of country and
Whereas the Executive is invoked therein TO
from public employment such oficeholders as enter
tain those principles thereby to perpetrate ruthless
prescription of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest diasrenoe Of opinion; therefore
fdsoeoed, That mere professions Of love 10 the
stitutiDn and TO civil and religious freedom when
contradcted by actions, cannot deceive the sensible
and vigiiant guardians of American liberty whose
apprehensions have been excited at behofdng the
strldes TINT have been made toward complete con-
troll OF our government by the spbjects ef foreign
potentate wellknown as the avowed enemy Oh our
whole American system, TO whose overthrow they
are solemnly devoted.
ResoIced, That viglant custodians Of that bene-
cent system of civil and religious freedom beaueat-
cd to Us by the fathers Of the republic it is our duty
TO meet and repei all insd0us attacks upon lib
critics as well as oil open assaults and that we yisw
with indignation and alarm the assertion of prnci-
Piles and purposes ON the part of the recognised en-
Ia olieC ir, Hn;t
states, subversive Of eur republican institutions,
which constitute aggressions Of such a character
that If not now resisted, will lead, at distant day.
10 the overthrow of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment Of despotism.
Rssaped, That WHILE In the past political divisions
OF the country, as Wings end Democrats, we have
struggled in honest conflict over contested prnsiples
and measures, all Of which are settled, yei in
the present crisis of danger 70 all that both parties
hold dear we viii bury every remembrance of past
opposition and pledge 20 each other our lives our
fortunes and our sacred honor net TO cease our ex-
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace It.
RssoIped, That we proslAim az the cardinal prnci-
Piles OF our political and moral creed sacred regard
for the constitution In all It's provisions upon which
are based our glorious American principles
Of speech, freedom Of opinion freedom Of conscience
freedom of the press together with school system
for the diffusion Of intelligence sanctifed by an open
Bible the rule Of faith and practice holding as an
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
etkenthi u.
ResoLped, That while we welcome to our country
tbs victims Of tyranny from foreign lands, and offer
them place By our side under the shield Of our con-
shtnhon, we claim for AmeFieaps tbe right TO govern
their own country; and those who do not Ike our
government have hearty consent TO 70 elsewhere
n the pursuit of happiness.
Rssolped, That the fourth resolution Of the meeting
at Carusis Saloon, recommending 10 the President OF
the United States prescription OF all officers Of the
federal government who may have thought fit TO be-
al he iatio sf
lngs--a recommendation which, before is adoption,
had been recognised and acted upon by the Kxecu-
tive Of the United States-proposes an alarming and
dangerous infraction Of the principles Of segoyern-
mept and calls Tor the prompt and decisive rebuke
q AL the free citizens Of these United States without
distinction Of party, scot OF creed.
hesotped, That every Protestant denomination In
the United States maintaies the constitutional prin-
ciple Of 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
doctrine Of obedience Of the civil 70 the ecclesiastical
aotherity, both In Europe and America the sad and
ru'nsus effects Of which, IN the one, are seen 10
countless emigrants flying from Us tyranny snd
misery 70 our own happy land, and in the other in
the ignorance and poverty Of the masses, in the
wealth and vices Of The Clergy and n the oeaseless
Of our Southern sister Republics.
ResotDed, That apon these principles appeal
from the opinions, whose proclamation mas caused
tnis meeting, 70 the people OF the United States |;
snd sltbough we might infer they are an exponent
Of executive feelings, from the official positions Of
those who controlled the proceedings yet we will 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 meraenary suggestion urged upon
him BY the fourth resolution OF tie meeting last week
a. covert echeme 70 crafty the appetite Of Office
seekers At the expense " many who zealously and
efficiently aided in his elevation TO power, and vhose
removal under existing circumstances viii fix an in
deble stain upon him a and az the President
Of the United States
fesotued, That having seen the denunciatons that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fusionsts' II the North, who are denounced as alb
sorbed in "the trsitorous factions" which distract
those States by which they are enc after another be-
ing placed in opposition to the administration we
were astonshed 10 hear the pressing nvition in the
second resolution Of our opponents 70 men Of all po
litcal opinions, without regard 10 their political
antecedents" = form "fusien" with them in their
future actionan invitation broad enough TO include
Garrison, Abby Kelly, and Fred Douglas, besides
their coadiutors in the two houses Of Congress
Besotced, That we too, appeal 70 all Americans
who lore the Union, which must be preserved" and
the constitution, which established and maintains it.
and the rights Of the States which compose 1t, and
especially 70 the religious the moral and the order
loving classes 10 unite with us in efccfinp the re-