Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-12

Iknuu purposes of civil government. far ;ts off
,. os,s - interfere when principles break out int
er eer. aSu against peace and good order; ant
hars.t 'ru.n Is great and will prevail II left
,r 'nat she Is the proper and sufficient antaa
onlst o. error, and has nothing to fear tron, Is
Sonnict unless by human interposition disarrued .
ner natural weapons, free argument and debate
errors ccaAing to be dangerous when il Is permtte
Freely TO combat them
ne therefore, enacted 5y The General 4,
sm'o.y That no man shall be compelled 10 frc
quent or support any religious worsb;p nlaoa y
ministry whatsoever, nor shall he he epf,road -
straned molested or burdened in his body or ono,,s
nor shall he otherwise suffer on account ofbs
opinions or belief but that all men shall Ia fo. J,
profess, and by argument to maintain their on;n
IONS IN matters Of religion and that the same sbal
- no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their ciyi
And thoughwe well know this Assemble a,...os
py the people for the ordinary purposes of lesis
laton only, have no power to restrain the acts !,
succeeding assemblies constituted with powers
oquai 70 our own and that, therefore To decare
this act irrevocable would be of no effect IN Law
ye5 we are free to declare, and do declare that III
ngn,s hereby asserted of the natural rights n
,ianhhu ana that II any act shall be hereafter
70 repeai the present, to narrow its ope
natural right. el'D' oi
The following preamble and resolutions
ADOPTED at mass meeting Of the citizens of
Washington, on the 9th day Of September
iast present the general sentiments of the
american party" in this city, and will doubt
less ce read with interest BY the friends Of
to wit: so1y'
tor ,nsa pnsiio I,cctnE Of citizens of Washing
upon call made in and approved by ths Erasi,
organ the proceedings of which in The
sssa 2 have been adopted at that meeting ana in he
=. certain selected orators at subsequent
eye IN Ae columns Of said organ and ~ III Rindps Si
presses, with sppfobation; and Wasrvss ssid Fssola
nss,..s aomsssr afsssed a in abstract o
heart and necessaty 70 tie SAFETY Of de constittion
and g me peace and proaperity of our county and
Ensrsss ahe Executive 4 iny6tsd hsrsn % fsDore
.in m Roe,,c smp,Gy3ns sh ossAoIs Z sstst
prescription Of both wings ana bsscc,its "a "a
nonast difierence Of spinisn: thasefere-4 7ss "A
Inat msys psntassions Of love y The con
stitutaon and 70 dril and religious freedom, when
contradcted BY acons, cannot decsive the sensible
ana ugant guardians of American liberty, whose
spprehensions have been excited ct behctding the
troll Of our governments BY the subjects Of foreign
Potentate well.known 40 tho avowed enemy Of our
whole American system, 70 whose overthrow they
RssoIDsk That as riqilant custodians of that beue
hcent system OF civil and religious freedom bequeath-
ed 70 Us by the fathers Of the republic 1t Ii our duty
70 meet and repel all nsdous attacks upon our lib
critics as well all open assaults; and that He view
with Indignation and alarm the assertion Of prinei-
pies and purposes, the part Of the recognised
poncnts Of the Roman Catholic Church In the United
States, subversive Of sur republican institutions,
that, If not resisted win lead at no distant day.
70 the overthrow of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment Of despotsm
Resodoed, That while ID the past political divisions
Of the country, as Wings and Democrats, we hare
struggled in honest conflict over contested principles
and measures, all of which are now settled vet in
the present crzis Of danger 10 all that both parties
opposition, and pledge to each other lives our
fortunes, and Our sacred honor" net TO cease our
ertons until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now mensoe it. -
Rssobced, That we proclaim, as the cardinal princi-
pies OF our political and moral creed sacred regard
tor the constitution in Ill its provisions, upon which
are based our glorious American principles-feedom
of speech freedom Of opinion, freedom Of conscience,
freedom OF the press, together with school system
tor the diffusion Of intelligence sancted by open
Bible as the rule of faith and practice holding
established principle that intelligence and virtue
essential 10 the success of free governments
Resotpcd, That while we welcome 70 our country
the victims OF tyranny from foreign lands, and offer
them place by side under the shield Of our
stituton, we claim for americans the right TO govern
their own country; and those who do not like our
government have our hearty consent TO 20 elsewhere
II the pursuit OF happiness.
Rssopef That the fourth resolution Of the meeting
At Caruss Saloon, recommending TO the President Of
the United States prescription u all officers Of the
federal government who may have thought fit to be-
come members Of the association Of Know Knoth-
ings-@ recommendation which, before its adoption,
had been recognised and acted upon by the Execu-
tive Of the United States proposes an alarming and
dangerous infracton Of the principles Of sefgovern-
ment and calls for the prompt and decisive rebuke
OF all the free citizens Of these United States without
distinction of party, sect, or creed.
hesoipsd That every Protestant denomination in
the United States maintains the constitutional prn-
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 70 the ecclesiastical
authority, both In Europe and America the sad and
rutneus effects Of which, In the one, are seen in
misery 10 our own happy land, and In the other in
the ignorance and poverty OF the Masses in the
wealth and vices Of the clergy and In the ceaseless
insurrectons massacres, and proverbial instability
of our Southern sister Republics.
Resotped, That upon these principles we 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 yet viii still
hope that the President, who alone has the power
will arrest the prescription already begun Of faithful
ofhce-holders both Democrats and Wings, for daring
70 entertain American and Protestant sentiments
and viii reject the mercenary suggestion urged upor
him by the fourth resolution Of the meeting Inst week
a. covert scheme TO gratfy the appetite Of Office
seekers at the expense Of many who zealously and
efficiently aided in his elevation to power and whoss
removal under existing circumstances viii fx in
delible stain upon him ss man and as the Presdcn
Of the United States
fe~oiped, That having seen the denunciations tina
almost daily issue from certain presses against tn
"fusionists" ef the North, who denounced alb
sorbed IN the trnitorous factions" which distrac
those States by which they after another be
ing placed in opposition 10 the administration, vi
were sstonished TO hear the pressing inviton in th
second resolution Of opponents TO men of all po
litical opinions, without regard to their "politica
antecedents," to form 'fusien" with them in thei
future aotionan invitation broad enough 10 iuclud
Garrison, Abby Kelly and Fred Douglas, beside
their coadjutors In the two houses Of Congress.
Resotred, That we, too, appeal 10 all American
| who love the Union, which "must be preserved" AM
the constitution, which established and maintains II
and the rights ef the States which compose IL am
especially TO the religious, the moral and the order
loving classes, TO unite with us in efectng the n
FIRMS necessary TO the safety and prosperity of 90
country, believing, AZ do that II is high time tn
career OF Interested and unscrupulous demagogue
should De checked, and the government be placed !
the hands Of men acquainted with it's character an
spirit, and who duly value it's countless blessings.
And whereas we believe in the competency, ability