Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-30

j
differ from, his own that it is time enough for the
rightfh purposes of civil government, for It's of-
GERS TO interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and.
finally that truth is great and will prevail if left to
herself that she is the proper and sufficient antag.
onist OF error and has nothing to fear from the
CONNECT 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
DC u, therefore, enacted by the General As
sen'6Iy, 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
norshal otherwise suffer on account ofhisreipops
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 wen know this Assembly, elected
by the people for the ordinary purposes of egis
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 irreyocable 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 If any act shall be hereafter
passed to repeal the present. or to narrow its ope
rations, such an act viii 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 . caii made 10 and approved by the Executive
organ the proceedings Of which, in the resolutions
said 70 have been adopted at that meetnp 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 approbation and whereas said resolu-
uens however dressed up in abstract professions Of
patriotism, asIaI principles dear to the American
neart and necessary to the safety Of the constitution
and 70 the peace and prosperity of country and
Whereas the Executive Is invoked therein TO remove
from public employment such oficeholders a. enter
tam those principles thereby perpeate ~ ruthless
prescription of both Wings aud Dsmoclts for al
honest difference Of opinion therefore
stitution and to civil and religious frsedom vAen
contradcted by actions, cannot deceive thA sensibk
and vIg1iant guardians Of American hbsrty, whose
appIehensions have been excited At hphnlding the
strioes that have been made toward Uumpets con.
Toi OF our government by tho suhiec&s of foreign
potentate well-khown as the avowed enemy OF our
whole American system, to whose overthrow they
RssoLped, That vigilant custodians Of that bene
hcent system of civil and religious freedom bcuueath
cd to us BY the fathers OF the republic Is our duty
% meet and fepel all insdious attacks upon our lib
critics as well as all open assaults; and that we view
with indignation and alarm the assertion of princ
pies and purposes on the part of the recognized en-
ponents OF the Roman Catholic Church in the United
ssatss, snbsersive Of eur republican institutions,
which constitute aggressons Of such character
tnat II mon now resisted, will lead at distant day
70 the overthrow OF the American Constitution and
shs complete estabishment Of despotism.
hesotrW, 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, Vet in
me present crisis Of danger TO all that both parties
noid Gear we Will bury every remembrance of past
oPpositon, and pledge 10 each other our lives our
fortunes, and our sacred honor not to our ex-
ertons until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace it.
Reso1ved, That proclaim, as the cardinal princi-
pies OF our political and moral creed sacred regard
Tor the constitution IN all its 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 nnctifed by an open
Bible as the rule of faith and practice, holding
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
| essential 70 the success OF free government
Resotved, 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 10 govern
their own country; and these who do not like our
government have our hearty consent 10 90 elsewhere
IN the pursuit Of happiness.
Rssoccd That the fourth resolution OF the meeting
at Carusis Saloon recommending TO the President Of
the United States prescription OF all officers Of the
federal government who may have thought it TO be-
come members Of the association Of Know Knoth-
ingsa Recommendation which, before its adoption,
had been recognized and acted upon by the Execu-
tive Of the United States proposes an alarming and
dangerous infracton Of the principles OF sefgovern-
%sI5 a., and calls for the prompt and decisive rsbuke
distnctson Of party, sect or creed.
hesoSed, That every Protestant denomination In
the United States maintains the constitutional prin-
ciple OF separation OF Church and Sate--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 to the ecclesiastical
anthsfity, both In Europe and America; the sad and
rutneus effects Of which, In the one, are seen In
/ countless smgrants flying from its tyranny and
misery 70 our own happy land, and in the other, in
wealth and vices asr Ui as ans n ss % sss
instructions massacres and proverba instability
| Of our Southern sister Republics.
hesobUed, That upon these principles appeal
from the opinions, whose proclamation has caused
this meeting, TO the people of the United States;
and, although we might infer they are an exponent
Of executive feelings, from the official positions Of
those who controlled the proceedings, ycfwe will still
viii arrest the prescription already begun of faithful
holders both Democrats and whigs for daring
70 entertain American and Protestant sentiments,
and will reject the mercenary suggestion urged upon
him by the fourth resolution of the meeting last week
az covert scheme TO crafty the appetite of Office
seekers at the expense sf many who zealousy and
efficiently aided in his elevation 10 power and whose
removal under existing circumstances viii FIX in
delible stain upon him as man and as the President
| of the United States. #s#a
| fesoIDed, That having seen the denunoations that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
oft NOrth rbo dam al aal.
sorbed in the raitorous factions" which distract
those States, by which they after another be
ing placed in opposition to the administration, we
were sstonshed TO hear the pressing nviton in the
second resolution Of opponents TO Of all po
it'cal opinions, without regard 10 their political
sntecedents," to form "fusenn with them in their
future actonan invitation broad enough TO include