Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-24

ments Of others only as they shall square with, or
diner nom, his own that II Is time enough for the
rghtful purposes of civil government, for its Off
GERS TO interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and,
nnaiiy that truth is great and viii prevail 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 nterposition disarned Of
her natural weapons, free argument and debate,
errors ceasng to be dangerous when II Is permitted
freely to combat them. TV
10 q, therefore, enacted BY the General As
sen6ty, 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
norshaih otherwise suffer on account ofhisregous
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 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 irreyocsble would be of no effect in law ;
yet we are free to declare, and do declare that the
rights hereby asserted of thenatural rights of
mankind, and that il 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 27th 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
upon call made in and approved by the Executive
organ, the proceedings Of which, in the resolutions
sasd 70 have been adopted at that meeting and in the
speeches Of certain selected orators at subsequent
adjourned meeting, spread before the public
eye in the columns Of said organ, and its kindred
presses with appreciation and whereas said resolu-
hens however dressed up in abstract professions Of
patriotism, aslaI principles dear TO the American
and to the peace and prosperity Of our country and
Whereas the Executive is invoked therein to remove
from public employment such oflceholders as enter
TAN those principles thereby to pergetate ruthless
honest difierence of opinion: therefsre-
hssotDed That mere professions of love to the con-
stitution and to civil and religious freedom when
contr.dicted by actions cannot deceiye the sensible
ana vle1lant guardians Of American liberty. whose
apprehensions have been excited at beholding the
strides that have been made toward complete con-
trol OF our government by the subjects Of foreign
potentate welfknown as the avowed enemy Of our
whole American system, to whose overthrow they
are solemnly devoted
RssoIvsd That as vigilant custodans Of that bene-
hcent system of civil and religious freedom bequeath-
cd TO us BY the fathers Of the republic II is our duty
% meet and repel oil nsidous attacks upon our lib
critics as well as all open assaults and that view
with indignation and alarm the assertion Of princ-
pies and purposes the part of the recognised
Ponents Of the Roman Catholic Church In the United
states, subversive Of eur republican institutions
which constitute aggressions of such character
that II not now resisted will lead at no distant day
TO the overthrow Of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment Of despotsm.
RssoIred That WHILE in the past political divisions
struggled in honest conflict contested principles
and measures, all Of which are now settled, vet In
the present crisis Of danger to all that both parties
hold dear we will bury every remembrance Of past
opposition, and pledge TO each other lives, our
fortunes and sacred honor net TO cease our ex-
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace it.
Resotced, That we proclaim a. the cardinal princi-
pies OF our political and moral creed sacred regard
Tor the constitution in all ts 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
Bible a. the rule Of faith and practice holding as an
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
essential 70 the success Of free government
Resotped, That while we welcome to our country
the victims OF tyranny from foreign lands and offer
them place by side under the shield OF our con-
stitution claim for Americans the right to govern
their own country; and these who do not Ike our
governnent have our hearty consent to 70 elsewhere
Reoared That the fourth resolution Of the meeting
at CaruHs Saloon, recommending TO the President of
the United States prescription OF all officers of the
federal government who may have thought ft 70 be-
come members Of the association Of Know Knoth-
ings-a recommendation which, before its adoption,
had been recognised and acted upon by the Execu--
i've OF the United States-proposcs an alarming and
dangerous inraction of the principles Of selgcvern-
Of all the free citizens Of these United Staes without
distinction Of party, sect or creed.
Resotred That every Protestant denomination in
the United States maintains the constitutional prin-
oipe o. separation Of Church and Stste-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 10 the ecclesiastical
suthsrity both IN Europe and America; the sad and
runeus effects Of which, in the one, are seen in
countless emigrants flying from It's tyranny and
misery TO our own happy land, and in the other, in
the ignorsnce 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
hssotsed, That upon these principles we appeal
from the opinions, whose proclamation has caused
tns meeung, 70 the people OF the United States !;
and, although we might infer they are an exponent
q executive feelings, from the efcal positions Of
those who controlled the proceedings, yet will still
hope that the President who alone has the power,
will arrest the prescription already begun Of faithful
ofhoe-holdcrs, both Democrats and Whgs for daring
70 entertain American and Protestant sentiments,
and win reiect the mercenary suggestion urged upon
him BY the fourth resolution Of the meeting last week.
Is covert scheme 70 crafty the appetite Of Office
seekers at the expense Of many who zsslously and
eicenty aided in his elevation TO power and whose
removal under existing circumstances win Az an In
delible stain upon him and a. the President
Of the United States-
fsso'ped, That having seen the dsnunciations that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
fusionists Of the North, who are denounced a. alb
sorbed in "the tratorous factions. which distract
those States by which they are enc after another bc-
ing placed IN opposition 20 the administration, We
were ssonished 10 hear the pressing invton In the
second resolution Of our opponents % msn Of all po-
litical opinions without regard 10 their political
antecedents," ts form "fusien" with them in their
future action--an invitation broad enough TO include
Garrison, Abby Kelly, and Fred Douglas, besides
their coadjutors in the two houses Of Congress-
We TIM 40 all