Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-21

conflict unless by human rterposition disarmed of
her natural wedpons, free argument and debate,
errors ceasing TO be dangerous when il is permitted
freely to combat them.
Be. IL, therefore, enacted 5y the General As
seni6ty, That no man shall be compelled to fire.
quent or support any religious worship, place, or
ministry whatsoever, shall he be enforced. re-
strained nolested orburdened In his body or goods
nor shall he otherwise suffer ON account ofhs
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 Ieeis-
lation only, have 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 IL any act shall be hereafter
passed to repeal the present, or to narrow It's ope
rations, such an act will be an Infringement Of
natural right
The following preamble and resolutions,
adopted at 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
ton WAS held at Carusi's Saloon, on the 1qth instant
upon a call maae in and approved BY the Executive
organ the proceedings OF which, in the resolutions
said TO have been adopted at that nesting and in the
speeches Of certain selected orators at subsequent
adjourned meeting now spread before the public
eye IN the coiumns of said organ, and its kindred
presses with APPRECIATION and whereas said resolu-
uens however dressed up In abstract professions Of
patrotnm, asual principles dear to the American
heart and necessary TO the safety Of the constitution
and to the peace and prosperity Of our country and
Whereas the Executive Is invoked therein to remove
lrvm pubhc employment such ofceholders as enter
tain those principles thereby to perpetrsts ruthless
prescription Of both Wings and Democrats for IN
honest difference of opinion therefore s
HeeoIued, That mere professions Of love TO the con-
stltution and TO civil and religious freedom when
confrndcted by actions cannot deceive the sensible
and vigilant guardians of American liberty, whose
apprehensions have been excited at beho1ding the
strides that have been made toward complete con-
troll OF our government by the subjects of foreign
potentate well-known as the avowed enemy of our
whole American system, TO whose overthrow they
are solemnly devoted "a II
Resoloed That as vigilant custodIsns Of that bene
icent system of civil and religious freedom bequeah-
ca 10 s by the fathers of the republic it is duty
critics as well as all open assaults; and that view
with indignation and alarm the assertion of princi-
pies and purposes on the part Of the recognised
ponents OF the Roman Catholic Church in the United
States, subyersive of eur republican institutions
which constitute aggressions of such a character
that If not now resisted will lead at no distant day.
TO the overthrow Of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment Of despotism.
RssotUed, That while in the past political divisions
Of the country, as wings and Democratic, we have
struggled in honest conflict contested principles
and measures, all of which nre now settled yet in
the present crisis of danger 70 all that both parties
hold dear we will bury every remembrance Of past
Opposition, and "pedge TO each other our lives
fortunes and our sacred honor" net TO cease our ex
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace it.
Resored, That we proclaim, as the cardinal princi-
pies OF our political and moral creed sacred regard
for 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
Bible as the rule Of faith and practice holding an
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
essential TO the success Of free government
Rssotced, That while we welcome 10 our country
the victims Of tyranny from foreign lands and offer
them place BY our side under the shield Of our con-
stitution, we claim for Americans the right 10 govern
their own country; and those who do not like our
government have hearty consent 70 20 elsewhere
IN the pursuit Of happiness.
at CarusPs Saloon, recommending 10 the President OF
the United States prescription OF all officers Of the
federal government who may have thought ft 10 be-
come members Of the association Of Know Knoth-
ngs--s recommendation which, before It's adoption,
had been recognised and acted upon by the Execu.
tive Of the United States proposes an alarming and
dangerous infraction 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.
Resotccd, 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 Pspal Church abroad
openly, and always, and everywhere maintains the
doctrine OF obedience OF the civil 10 the ecclesiastical
authority, both In Europe and America the sad and
ru'neus 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 ether, in
the ignorance and poverty of the masses, in the
wealth and vices Of the clergy, and in the ceaseess
insurrectons, massacres and proverbial instability
of our Southern sister Republics
ResotUed, That upon these principles we appeal
from the opinions, whose proclamation has caused
this meeting, 10 the people Of tho United States
and, although we might infer they are an exponent
OF executive feelings from the efcinl positions of
those who controlled the proceedngs yet we will still
hope that the President who alone has the power,
will arrest the prescription already begun of faithful
both Democrats and Wings for daring
70 entertain American and Protestant sentiments,
him by the fourth resolution Of the meeting last week.
az covert schome 70 crafty the appetite Of Office
seekers at the expense Of many who zealously and
efficiently aided in his elevation 70 power, and whose
removal under existing circumstances win fix an in
debe stain upon him as q man and as the President
of the United States
Resobued, That having seen the denunoiations that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
fusionists' ef the North who are denounced Ms alb
sorbed in "the traitorous factions" which distract
those States, by which they are one after another be-
ing placed in opposition 70 the administration, we
were astonshed 70 hear the pressing invtion in the
second resolution Of our opponents 70 men Of all po-
htcal opinions, without regard 10 their "political
antecedents," " form 'fusien" with them in their
future sctionan invitation broad enough 10 include
Garrison, Abby Kelly, and Fred. Douglas, besides
their coadiutors In the two houses Of Congress.
hesosped, That we, boo, appeal TO all Americans
who love the Union, which "must be preserved and
The constitution which established and maintains IL
and the rights OF the States which compose IL and
especially to the religious the moral and the order
loving classes 70 unite with us in eectng the re-
FIRMS necessary to the safety and prosperity of our
country, believing, we do that II IL high time the
career Of Interested and INSCRIPTIONS demagogues
should be checked and the government be placed in
the hands Of men acquainted with its character and
spirit and who duly value its countless blessinRs
And whereas we believe in the cnrnrsfnycv a6il;tv