Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-05

GERS to interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and,
finally that truth is great and viii prevail flcA to
herself that she s the proper and sufficient antag-
oniat of error, and has nothing to fear from the
conflict, unless by human interpostion disarmed of
her natural weapons, free argument and debate,
errors ceasing to be dangerous when 1t s permitted
freely to combat them.
Be if, therefore, enacted By the General. As-
sembLy, 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 molcsted or burdened in hsbody or goods,
norshall he otherwise suffer on ofhsreiigious
opinions or belief but that all men shall be free to
profess, and by argument to maintain, their opir-
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 lcgis-
ation 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 of the natural rights Of
mankind, and that II any act shall be hereafter
passed to repeal the present, or to narrow it ope-
rations, such an act will be an infringement of
natural right.
The following preamble and resolutions,
adopted at q 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 Carusis Saloon, the 10th instant
A rnnda tr o,A
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 spread before the public
eye IN the columns of said organ, and its kindred
presses with appreciation; and whereas said resou-
items, however dressed up in abstract professions of
patriotism, ssJall principles dear to the American
heart and necessary to the safety Of the constitution
ana TO the peace and prosperity of country and
whereas, the Executive is invoked therein TO remove
from public employment such offceholders as enter
tain those principles, thereby to perpetate ruthless
prescription OF both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference of opinion therefore e PIN
Rssotued, That professions of love to the con-
stitution and to civil and religious freedom, when
contradicted by actions cannot deceive the sensible
and vlgilant 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-mown as the avowed enemy Of our
whole American system, to whose overthrow they
Resolped, That, vigilant custodans of that bene
hcent system Of civil and religious freedom bequeath
cd to us BY the fathers of the republic il is duty
TO meet and repel all insdous attacks upon our lib
critics as well all open assaults; and that we view
with indignation and alarm the assertion of princi-
pies and purposes the part of the recognised ex
ponents OF the Roman Catholic Church in the United
S s,a.ss suovsrsiye Of eur republican Institutions
that II not now resisted will lead at distant day.
70 the overthrow Of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment of despotism. Hsi
ResotUed That while in the past political divisions
OF the country as Wings and Democrats, we have
struggled In honest conflict over contested principles
and measures, all of which are now settled, yet in
the present crisis of danger TO all that both parties
opposition, and pledge TO each other our lives, our
fortunes and sacred honor net TO cease our ex-
ert'ons until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace it, s..f.....
hesoiped, That we proclaim as the cardinal princi
Piles Of our political and moral creed sacred regard
for the constitution Ia all its provisions upon which
are based our glorious American principles
speech. freedom of opinion, freedom Of conscience,
freedom Of the press together With school system
for the diffusion Of intelligence sanctfed by an open
Bible as the rule of faith and practice holding
established principle that intelligence and virtue
essential TO the success of free government
ResoSped, 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-
sttution, we claim for Americans the right TO govern
government have hearty consent 10 20 elsewhere
IN the pursuit OF happiness pft
Reoseed That the fourth resolution of the meeting
At Csrusis Saloon recommending 10 the President Of
federal government who may have thought ct TO be-
come members OF the association Of Know Kpoth-
ings-e recommendation which, before its adoption,
had been recognized and acted upon by the Execu-
dangerous naction Of the principles Of selfgoyern-
nent and calls for the prompt and decisive rebuke
Of all the free citizens OF these United States without
distinction Of party, sect or creed.
hesotced, That every Protestant denomination IN
The United States maintains the constitutional prin-
cipe Of separation Of Church and State-in which
principle many American Catholics sincerely concur
while on the other hand, the Pspsl Church abroad
doctrine Of obedience Of the civil to the ecclesiastical
authority, both in Europe and America the sad and
ruineus effects Of which, in the one, are seen In
countless emigranh flying from its tyranny and
the ignorance and poverty Of the masses, in the
wealth and vices Of the clergy, and In the ceaseess
insurrectons, massacrcs, and proverbial instability
Of our Southern sister Republics.
Resotoed, That upon these principles we appeal
from the opinions, whose proclamation has caused
This meeting 10 the people of The United States ;
and, although we might infer they are an exponent
Of executive feelings, from the eoisl positions Of
those who controlled the proceedings yet we viii still
hope that the President who alone has the power,
will arrest the prescription already begun of faithful
oftceholders, both Democrats and Wings, for daring
70 entertain American and Protestant sentiments
and win reject the meroenary suggestion urged upon
him by the fourth resolution OF the meeting week
a. covert scheme TO crafty the appetite Of Office
seekers at the expense ef many who xealously and
efficiently aided In his elevation to power and whose
removal under existing circumstances viii fix in
detble stain upon him man and as the President
Of the United States.
fssobref That having seen the denuncistions that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fusionists" ef the North who are denounced abb
sorbed in "the tratorous factions" which distract
those States, by which they after another be
ing placed in opposition to the administration, we
were astonshed TO hear the pressing invtion in the
second resolution Of opponents TO men Of all po-
htcal opinions, without regard 10 their political
anteoedents" ". form 'fusen" with them IN their
future actionan invitation broad enough 10 include
Garrison, Abby Kelly, and Fred. Douglas besides
their coadiutors In the two houses Of Congress.
Resotred, That we, too, appeal TO all Americans
who love the Union, which "nust 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, 10 unite with us in eectng the re-
frms necessary 10 the safety and prosperity Of our
country, believing, we do that II IL high time the
career of Interested and unscr,pulous demsgogues
should be checked, and the government be placed in
The hands of men acquainted with it's character and
sfrl xho dsl~ al,