Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-06

ucr oin, ms own that 10 Is time enough, for the
ngntiui purposes Of civil government for its Off
GERS 10 interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and,
nnaly that truth is great and will prevail If left TO
herself that she is the proper and sufficient antag-
onst OF error, and has nothing to fear from the
conflict, unless by human interpositon disarmed of
her natural weapons, free argument and debate,
errors ceasng to be dangerous when II is permitted
freely to combat them.
Bs q, therefore, enacted BY the General as
se'abty, That no man shall be compelled to fre-
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
nor shall he otherwise suffer on account ofhs religious
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 lepis-
laton 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 its 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 on the 10th instant
upon call made In and approved by the Executive
organ the proceedings of which, in the resolutions
sad 70 have been adopted at that meeting and in the
speeches Of certain selected orators at subsequent
adjourned meeting, are now spread before the public
presses, with APPROPRIATION and whereas said reson
nens however dressed up in abstract professions of
patriotism, asual principles dear to the American
heart and necessary to the safety Of the constitution
whereas, the Executive is invoked therein 10 remove
from public employment such oficeholders as enter
tain those principles thereby to perpetrate RUTHLESS,
honest difference Of opinion therefore : -
RssolUed That mere professions of love To the con-
sttution and 70 civil and relaous freedom. when
contradicted by actions cannot deceive the sensible
apprehensions have been excited at behofdnr the
strides that have been made toward complete con-
troll Of government by the subjects az foreipp
pctentate wellknown as the avowed enemy Of our
m. n
are soiemnly devoted. @'-7 IS
ResolUed That as viQilant custodians of that bene
6cent system of civil and religious freedom beoueath
cd to US by the fathers Of the republc h i or dut
70 meet and repe all insidious attacks upon orr lh
critics well as all open assaults. and tbat we view,
with indignation and alarm the Assertion ~ nr;nci |
pies and purposes, on thepart Of the recognsed az
poncnts Of the Roman Catholic Church in tbe ITn;te
States, subversive Of eur republican ;nstitntions
which constitute aOrress;ons ~ srch . nlas..., |
that If not now resisted, will lead at no disant day
% the overthrow of the American Constitution and
Rssolped That while In the mast political A; ;v;sona
Of the country, as Whics and Democrats ,re bsra
struggled In honest conflict over Contested nrnc;,les
the present crisis Of danger to All that both
hold dear we will bury every remembrance as mast
opposition and "pedee 10 each other our lives our
fortunes and our sacred honor net to cease our er
dangers that nov menace Il.
RssoJurd That ~ pvocIsim m The cardinal ,,,;nc,
pies Of our political and moral creed sacred regard
Tor the constitution In Al It's provisions upon which
Of speech freedom of opipion freedom az conscience
freedom of the press together win 4 school syster,
for the dusioii OF intelligence sapctifed bv an omen
est.blshed princnle that inseirercs and yrtns are
essential 10 ths success OF a free royernment
ResoSped, That while we welcome 10 our country |
the victims Of tyranny from foreign lands and offer
them place BY our aide under the shield Of our con-
stituton we claim for Americans the right 70 govern
their own country, and those who do not ill., onr
have our hearty consent 70 90 elsewbere
n the pursuit Of happineas "
Resolpsd That the fourth resolution of the meeting
II Carusis Saloon Recommending IA the President "a
the United States proscription ~ all Officers of tbe
federal government who NAV have Thought "a To be-
come members Of the association of Know Knotb. |
ings-a recommendation which, before its adoption |
bad been recognised and acted upon by tbe Trecn' |
tive Of the United Statss-proposes an alarming and
infraction of the PRINCIPLES of sefqoyern
ment and calls for the prompt and decisive rebuke |
Of all the free citizens OF these United States without
Of party, sect, or creed
ResoJpsd, That every Protestant denomination in
The United States maintains 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 TO the ecclesiastical
both In Europe and America the sad and
ruinous effects Of which, in the one, are seen in
countless emiRrants flying from its tyranny and
misery 70 own happy land, and 10 the other, in
The ignorance and poverty of the masses, IN the
wealth and vices Of the.clergy and in the cesseless
massscres, and proverbial instability
Of our Southern sister Republics. /
Resolced, That upon these principles We appeal
from the opinions, whose proclamation has caused
IN, fha ofth he Tfuffed Rfafes. |