Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-20

- - s SsS ~ ALkJAJLA A.
ments Of Others only they shall square with, or
differ from, his own that II is time enough for the
rghtfnl purposes Of civil government for its off,
GERS TO interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and,
finally, that truth is great and win prevail if 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 interposition disarmed of
her natural weapons free argument and debate,
errors ceasing to be dangerous when il is permitted
freely to combat them.
Be it, therefore, enacted 5y the General As-
sembly, 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, molested burdened in his body or goods
norsha he otherwise suffer account
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 welI know this Assembly, elected
by the people for the ordinary purposes of legs-
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 irrevocable would be of no effect in law
yet, 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. to narrow its 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 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 /: a M
Whereas public meeting Of cit,zens Of Washing
upon cali made in and approved BY tie Executive
organ, the proceedings of which, in the resolutions
SAID to have been adopted at that meeting and in the
speeches Of certain selected orators at subsequent
adjourned meeting, are now spread before the public
eye in the columns of said organ; and its kindred
presses, with appreciation and whereas said resolu-
tiens however dressed up in abstract professions Of
patriotism, aaal principles dear to the American
heart and necessary 10 the safety Of the constitution
and to the peace and prosperity of our country and
whereas, the Executive is invoked therein to
from public employment such oficeholders as enter
prescription of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference Of opinion: therefore
Resotoed, That professions Of love to the con-
stitution and to civil and religious freedom, when
contradcted by actions cannot deceive the sensible
and vigant guardians of American liberty, whose
apprehensions have been excited at beholding 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
Resoleed That as vigilant custodans Of that bene-
cent system of civil and religious freedom bequeath-
ed to by the fathers of the republic il is duty
to meet and repel all insdous attacks upon our lib
critics as well as all open assaults and that we view
with indignation and alarm the assertion of prnci
piles and purposes the part of the recognised
ponents Of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
States, subversive of eur republican institutions
which constitute aggressons of such character
that if not resisted win lead, at distant day,
to the overthrow Of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment of despotism. oA
Resolsed That WHILE in the past political divisions
Of the country, as Wings and Democrats we have
and measures, all of which are now settled, yet 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 our lives, our
fortunes, and our sacred honor" net to
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace it,
Resolued That we proclaim, as the cardinal princi-
pies Of political and moral creed, sacred regard
for the constitution in all its provisions, upon which
are based our glorious American prnciples-freedom
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 as an
established principle thst intelligence and virtue are
essential TO the success of free government.
Resotped, That while we welcome to country
the victims Of tyranny from foreign lands and offer
them place by our side under the shield Of our
ettuton claim for Americans the right TO govern
their own country; and these who do not like our
government have our hearty consent to 60 elsewhere
R&solped, That the fourth resolution of the meeting
at Caruss Saloon recommending TO the President Of
the United States prescription OF all officers Of the
federal government who may have thought ft TO 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-
tive Of the United Statesproposcs an alarming and
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.
Resolped, That every Protestant denomination in
the United States maintains the constitutional prin-
cple Of q 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 10 the ecclesiastical
authority both In Europe and America; the sad and
ruineus effects of which, in the one, are seen In
countless emigrants flying from It's tyranny and
ths AND 1sppy pdgsrtr Se n he
wealth and vices Of the clergy and in the ceaseless
instructions, massacres, and proverbisl instability
of our Southern sister Republics.
Rssotced, 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
oil executive 1eennRs, from the offcai poslti0ns OF
those who controlled the proceedings yet win still
hope that the President who nlone has the power,
win arrest the prescription already begun of faithful
oice-bofders, both Democrats and Wings, for daring
entertain American and Protestant sentiments,
and will reject the mercenary suggestion urged upon
him by the fourth resolution Of the meeting last week.
as q covert scheme TO crafty the appetite OF office
seekers at the expense Of many who zealously and
efficiently aided in his elevation 10 power, and whose
removal under existing circumstances will fix an in
delible stain upon him as and the President
of the United States.
Kesolped, That having seen the denunciatons that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fusionists' # the North, who denounced ms abb
sorbed in "tbe traitorous factions" which distract
those States by which they after another be-
ing placed in opposition to the administration we
were astonished to hear the pressing invon in the
second resolution of opponents 70 Of all po
liiical opinions, without regard TO their political
sntecadents," ~ form "fusen' with them in their
future actionan invitation broad enough 10 include
Garrison. Abby Kelly, and Fred. Douglas, besides
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