Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-16

ments OF Others only as they shall square with, or
differ rom his own that it is time enough, for the
rghtfui 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 viii prevail iflef 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 ceasng to be dangerous when 1t is permitted
freely to combat them.
Be q, therefore, enacted By the General As
sembiy 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
shall he otherwise suffer on account religious
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 power to restrain the acts Of
succeeding assemblies, constituted with powers
equal TO our own; and that, therefore, to declare
this act irrevocable would bo 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 If 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 a 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:
Whereas, public meeting of citizens Of Washing
ton was held at Caruss Saloon, the 18th instant,
organ, the proceedings of which, in the resolutions
ssd 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 n the columns Of said organ, and its kindred
presses with appreciation and whereas said resolu-
ncns however dressed up in abstract professions Of
patriotism, aspah principles dear to the American
heart and necessary to the safety Of the constitution
ana 70 the peace and prosperity of country and
Whereas the Executive is invoked therein TO remove
from public employment such oflceholders as enter
tain those principles thereby to perpetrate ruthless
prescription Of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference Of opinion: therefore
hesobUe6 That mere professions Of love TO the con-
stituton and to civil and religious freedom. when
conradiced by actions, cannot deceive the sensible
and vlgliant guardians of American liberty whose
apprehensions have been excited at behofding the
strides that have been made toward complete con-
Tol OF our government by the subjects Of foreign
Potentate weil-known as the avowed enemy Of our
whole American system, TO whose overthrow they
are solemnly devoted.
Rssossvd, That vigilant custodans Of that bene-
nccnt system Of civil and religious freedom bequeath-
cd TO us by the fathers of the republic ii is our duty
70 meet and rcpel all insidous attacks upon our lib
critics as we'll as all open assaults and that we vew
with indignation and alarm the assertion of princi-
rn and ~
ponents Of tie Roman Catholic Church in he United
States, subversive of eur republican institutions,
which constitute aggressions 81 such b character
that II not now resisted viii lead st distant day
70 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 Democrats, we have
struggled in honest conflict over contested principles
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 10 each other cur lives our
fortunes and our sacred honor net 10 cease our
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace il
Resolped That we proclaim as the cardinal princi-
pies OF our political and moral creed sacred regard
Tor 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 q school system
for the diffusion Of intelligence sanctfed by an open
Bible ss the rule Of faith and practice holding an
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
essential 70 the success Of a free government
the victims OF tyranny from foreign lands and offer
them place by side under the shield of our con-
stitnhon, we claim for Americans the right to govern
their own country; and those who do not like our
government have our hearty consentto 20 elsewhere
n the pursuit OF happiness
hssoScsd That the fourth resolution Of the meeting
At CAruafs Saloon recommending 10 the President of
the United States prescription Of all officers Of the
federal government who may have thought at 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-
tive Of the United States-proposes an alarming and
dangerous nfraction Of the principles Of sefgovern-
Of ali the free citizens Of these United States, without
nsnncton OF party, sect, or creed.
R<sotped, That every Protestant denomination in
the United States maintains the constitutional prn-
ciple Of separation Of Church and State-in which
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 its tyranny and
misery 10 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
Of our Southern sister Republics.
from the opinions whose proclamation has caused
this meeting, 70 the people Of the United States;
and although We might infer they are an exponent
Of executive feelings, from the efhcial positions Of
those who controlled the procecdings yet 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,
and will reject the mercenary suggestion urged upon
him by the fourth resolution Of the meeting last week.
a. covert scheme 10 GRITTY the appetite Of Office
seekers st the expense VI many who zealously and
efficiently aided in his elevation 70 power and whose
removal under existing circumstances win fx an in
debe stain upon him as q mar, and the President
Of the United States
heso5ced, That having seen the denuncstions that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fnsionists' # the North, who are denounced alb
sorbcd in "the traitorous factions" which distract
those States, by which they are enc after another be
ing placed in opposition 70 the administration,
were astonshed TO hear the pressing nvition in the
second resolution Of opponents TO Of all po-
hhcel opinions, without regard 10 their political
anteccdents," V 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.
Resotoed, That we too, 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