Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-13

rightfm 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 IL 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 disarmed Of
her natural weapons, free argument and debate,
errors ceasng to be dangerous when II Is permitted
freely to combat them. tget \.
Bs IL, therefore, enacted 6y the General A.
se'n6ty, 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, molested rburdened in his body or goods
norshall he otherwise sueron account ofhisregious
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. '4. .t@
And though we well know this Assembly, elected
by the people for the ordinary purposes Of legis-
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. or to narrow It's ope-
rations, such an act will be an Infringement of
natural right. It arfNf
The following preamble and resolutions,
adopted at a 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 Carusi's Saloon on the 10th instant
upon a call made in and approved by the Executive
organ the proceedings of which, in the resolutions
sad TO have been adopted at that meeting and in the
speeches of certain selected orators at subsequent
adjourned meeting, are spread before the public
eye IN the columns of said organ, and its kindred
presses with appreciation; and whereas said resolu
uens however dressed up in abstract professions Of
patriotism, asual 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 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 opinion therefore
hesobced That mere professions Of love to the
sntution and TO civil and religious freedom, when
contradicted by actions deceive the sensible
and yigilant guardians Of American liberty, whose
apprehensions have been excited at behofdng the
strides that have been made toward complete con-
troll OF our government by the subjects Of foreign
potentate weiEknown as the avowed enemy Of our
whole American system, TO whose overthrow they
are solemnly devoted.
Resolved, That vfgilant custodians of that bcne-
hcent system Of civil and religious freedom beoueath-
ed TO ms by the fathers Of the republic II is our duty
70 meet and repel all nsdious attacks upon our lib
critics .. weias all open assaults and that we view
with indignation and alarm the assertion of prnc-
Piles and purposes the part Of the recognised ex-
ponents Of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
states, subyersive Of eur republican institutions
which constitute sgEressons of such character
that not now resisted will lead at no distant day.
70 the sverthrow q the American Constitution and
The complete establishment of despotism.
fssoaeed, That while in the past political divisions
oI ,ne country. " as Wigs and Democrats we have
snd measures, all Of which are now settled yet in
the psescnt cros Of danger TO all that both parties
hold dear We will bury every remembrance Of past
fortunes and sacred honor not 70 cease our ex-
ertaons until our country shall be freed from the
| dangers that now menace IL r
/ Reso1ced, That we proclaim a. the cardinal princi-
Piles OF our political and moral creed sacred regard
for the constitution 10 all It's provisions upon which
Ars based our glorious American principles freedom
speech, freedom Of opinion, freedom Of conscience,
freedom Of the press, together with school system
Bible as the rule of faith and practice holding as an
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
essential 70 the success OF free government
Rssoseed, That while we welcome 10 our country
the victims Of tyranny from foreign lands and offer
them place BY side under the shield OF our con-
shtntion, claim for Americans the right 10 govern
their own country; and those who do not like our
government have our hearty consent TO 20 elsewhere
Rssoced, That the fourth resolution OF the meeting
At Csruss Saloon, recommending 70 the President oi
the United States prescription OF all officers Of the
federal government who may have thought ft 10 be-
come members Of the association Of Know Knoth.
,ngs- Recommendation which, before its adoption,
bad been recognised and acted upon by the Execu.
i've OF the United States-proposes an alarming and
dangerous infscncn OF the principles Of sefgovern-
frr tlx I'D -
Of all the free citizens OF these United States without
distinction OF party, sect OF creed.
hesotped, That every Protestant denomination in
the United States maintains the constitutional prin-
oiple Of separation Of Church and State--n 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 obedence Of the civil 10 the eccesiastca
authority, both in Europe and America the sad and
rusnsns effects Of which, in the one, are seen in
countless emigrants flying from its tyranny and
misery 70 our own happy land, and in the other, in
wealth and vices Of the clergy, and in the ceaseless
insurectons massacres, and proyerbial instability
Of our Southern sister Republics
! isesotped, That upon these principles we appeal
rom the opinions, whose proclamation has caused
this meeting, TO the people Of the United States
and, although might infer they are an exponent
Of executive feelings, from the official positions Of
those who controlled the proceedngs yefwe will stll
hope that the President who alone has the power,
viii arrest the prescription already begun Of faithful
ofBce-holders both Democrats and whlgs for daring
70 entertain Americsn and Protestant sentiments,
and viii reject the mercenary suggestion urged upon
him BY the fourth resolution Of the meeting last week
as covert scheme TO crafty the appetite Of Office
seekers at the expense sf many who xealously and
efficiently aided in his elevation 70 power and whose
removal under existing circumstances will Ak an In
delible stain upon him man and the President
| Of the United States.
fesoIpsd, That having seen the denunciations that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fusionists Of the North who are denounced az abb
sorbed in the traitorous factions which distract
those States by which they are enc after another be-
ing placed IN opposition N the administration, we
were sstonished 10 bear the pressing nviton in the
second resolution Of our opponents 70 Of all po-
hhoai opinions without regard 10 their "political
sDtecedents, u form "fusionr with them In their
future acton-an invitation broad enough TO include
Garrison, Abby Kelly, and Fred Douglas, besides
thetr coadiutors in the two houses Of Congress.
Resotpcd, That we, too appeal 70 all Americans
who love the Union, which afnust be preserved y and
the constitution, which established and maintains IL
and the rights Of the States which compose IL and
especially 70 the relgous the moral and the order
loving classes, 10 unite with us in eectinR the re
FIRMS necessary 10 the safety and prosperity Of our
country, believing, do that II is high time the
career Of interested and INSCRIPTIONS demagogues
should be checked. and the ha rlared