Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-12

PoNSo
GERS to Interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and,
nnaiy that truth Is great and win prevail II le 10
herself that she is the proper and sufficient antag-
onist OF error and has nothing to fear from the
conflict unless by human interposition disarmed OF
her natural weapons, free argument and debate,
errors ceasing TO be dangerous when 10 Is permitted
freely TO combat them 1 SRf8M
Be IL, therefore, enacted 5y Ehs GeasyoI A.
scmbiy That no man shall be compelled 10 sffe-.
quent or support any religious worship, place, or
ministry whatsoever, nor shall he be enforced re-.
strained Inolested Orburdened In body or goods
nor shall otherwise suffer on account
opinions Or belief but that all men shall be ffee 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. 8
And though we wen know this Assembly, elected
BY ths people for the ordinary purposes Of legis.
lai only, have no power TO restrain the acts Of
succeeding assemblies constituted with powers
equal 70 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 Of the natural rights Of
mankind, and that IL any act shall be hereafter
passed 70 repeal the present to narrow its ope-
rations, such an act win be an Infringement Of
natural right. s
The following preamble and resolutions,
adopted at q mass meeting of the citizens Of
Washington, on the 9th day Of September
asst 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,
70 wit: 53fi. n
Whereas, public meeting of citizens of Washing
ton was held at Carusfs Saloon on the 10Th instant
md hxyy yba
organ the proceedings Of which, in the resolutions
asd 70 have been adopted at that meeting and in the
speeches OF certain selected orators at subsequent
the columns @ ssd snd
presses, with appreciation; and whereas said reson
ITEMS however dressed up in abstract professions Of
patriotism, asDal 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
from public employment SUCH oficehoders as enter
tain those principles thereby operperate ruthless
prescription of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference Of opinion: therefore
Rseopsd That mere professions Of love to the con-
stitution and to civil and religious freedom, when
oo9dSssd os 6y actions nnot deceive the sensible
apprehensons have been excited at behofding 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.
Rssolued, That as vgilant custodans Of that bene-
6cent system of civil and religious freedom beoueat
TO meet and repel all nsidious attacks upon our lib
critics as well all open assaults and that we view
with indignation and alarm the assertion Of princi
pies and purposes the part Of the recognised ex-
ponents OF the Roman Catholic Church In the United
States subyersive Of eur republican institutions,
which constitute aggressions of such a character
that not now resisted viii lead, at distant day.
q @ sne ovsrarox q the American Constituson and
Resotoed, That while, in the past political divisions
OF the country, as Wings and Democrats, we have
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 our sacred honor net 10 our ex-
dangers that now menace Il r. 50 ~ -.
Resotusd. That we proclaim, as the cardinal princi-
pies OF our political and moral creed sacred regard
Tor The constitution In all It's provisions upon which
Of speech freedom of opinion, freedom Of conscience
freedom Of the press, together with school system
for the diffusion of intelligence, sancted BY open
established principle that intelligence and virtne are
essential TO the success Of a free government sna
Rseotped That while we welcome 10 our country
the victims Of tyranny from foreign lands, and offer
them place by side under the shield Of our oon-
stitution claim for Americans the rghs 10 govern
their own country; and those who do not ike our
government have our hearty consent 70 20 elsewhere
I, the pursuit Of happiness
ReJocd, That the fourth resolution Of the meeting
at Caruss Saloon, recommending 10 the President oi
the United States prescription OF all officers OF The
federal government who may have thought ft 20 be-
come members Of the association of Know Knoth-
ings-a recommendation which before ia adoption.
had been recognized and acted uron bv The Erecu.
tve Of the United States proposes an alarming and
dangerous nfactiou of the principles Of s.lfrovern-
nent and calls for the prompt and decisive rebuke
Of all the free citizens OF these United States without
distinction Of party, sect or creed 80 F59fF
Rexotped, That every Protestant denomination In
the United States maintains the constitutional prin-
cip'e o. separation Of Church and Stste-ia 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 obedsnce Of the civil 10 the ecclesiastical
authority, both In Europe and America; the sad and
ruineus effects of which, in the one, are seen IN
countless enigrants flying from its tyranny and
misery 70 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 ceaseless
insnrrcctions msssacres and proyerbal instability
Of our Southern sister Republics.
Resotped That upon these principIe~ wa appeaI
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