Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-23

coniiiSl unless py human nterposlti0n dsarmed OF
her natural weapons free argument and debate,
errors ceasng TO DO dangerous when 1t is permitted
freely to combat them
BE d, therefore, enacted BY the General As-
seabty, 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, moested burdened in his body or goods
orsha he otherwise suffer account ofhisreipous
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-
iation 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 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 27th day Of September
last present the general sentiments of the
American party" in this city, and win doubt
less be read with interest by the friends OF
American principles throughout the country,
to wit: N
Whereas, apublc meeting Of citizens Of Washing
ton was held at Caruss Saloon, on the 10Th instant
upon call made in and approved by the Executive
organ, the proceedings Of which, in the resolutions
sad TO have been adopted at that meeting and in the
speeches Of cerain selected orators at subsequont
adjourned meeting,are spread before the public
eye In the columns of said organ, and its kindred
presses with appreciation and whereas said resolu-
np in abstract
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 toremove
trem public employment such oflceholdars as enter
tain those principles thereby to perpetrate ruthless
prescription of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference of opinion: therefore
RssoIoed That mere professions or dove TO the con-
sntutlon and 70 civil and religious freedom. when
and vigilant 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 tho subjects Of foreign
potentate well-known the ayowed enemy of our
whole American system, " whose overthrow they
are solemnly devoted.
Rssolced That as vigilant custodians of that bene
hcent system Of civil and religious freedom bequeath
ed TO us by the fathers of the republic 1t is duty
70 meet and repel all insdious attacks upon our lib
critics as well as all open assaults and that we view
with indignation and alarm the assertion OF princi-
Piles and purposes, on the part Of the recognised ex
gonents Of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
which constitute aggressions Of such a character
that II not now resisted will lead at no distant day
70 the overthrow Of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment Of despotism.
Resosped, 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
opposition, and apledgc TO each other eur lives our
fortunes, and our sacred honor net 70 cease our
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace IL
RssoSosd, That we proclaim, as the cardinal prinei
pies OF our political and moral creed sacred regard
for the constitution In all its provisions upon which
are based our glorious American princples-freedom
Of speech, freedom of opinion freedom Of conscience
freedom q the press together with school system
Tor the dusion Of intelligence, sapcthed by open
Bible az the rule Of faith and practice holding as an
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
essential 70 the success Of . free government
hseotced, 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 con-
sttuton, we claim for Americans the right TO govern
their own country; and these who do not like our
government have our hearty consent 10 20 elsewhere
Rssopsd That the fourth resolution Of the meeting
NJ Cafusis Saloon, recommending TO the Presdent oi
the United States prescription Of all officers OF the
federal government who may have thought t 10 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-proposcs an alarming and
dangerous infraction Of the princpeSof sefgoyern.
men5 and calls for the prompt and decisive rcbuke
Of all the free citizens OF these United States without
Distinction OF party, sect or creed.
hesotued, That every Protestant denomination in
the United States maintains the constitutional prn-
otPie 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
rutnsus effects OF which, in tho one, are seen In
countless emigrants flying from its tyranny and
misery 70 our own happy land, and in the other, in
the ignorance and poverty of the masses in the
westh and vices Of the clergy, and In the ceaseess
of our Southern sister Republics
Resobsed, That upon those principles we appeal
Rom 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 official positions Of
those who controlled the proceedngs yet we win still
hope that tho President who alone has the power
will arrest the prescription already begun Of faithful
ofice-hoders, both Democrats and Whigs 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
as covert scheme 10 crafty the appetite Of Office
seekers at the expense Of many who reslously and
efficiently aided in his elevation 70 power and whose
removal under existing circumstances will FIX an In
delible stain upon him a and as the President
Of the United States.
hesotped, That having seen the denupcistons that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fusonisto Of the North, who are denounced az alb
sorbed in "the traitorous factions" which distract
thoss States by which they enc after another be-
ing placed in opposition TO the administration, We
were sstonished 10 hear the pressing nviton in the
second resolution Of opponents 20 men Of all po
lticsl opinions, without regard to their "politca
snteoedents,' 10 form 'fusien" with them in their
future actionan invitation broad enough 10 include
Garrison, Abby Kelly and Fred Douglas, besides
their coadlutors In the two houses Of Congress-
Resobped, That we, too, appeal 70 all Americans
who lore the Union, which must be preserved" and
the constitution, which established and maintains IL
and the rights Of the States which compose IT, and
especially TO the religious, the moral and the order
loving classes, 10 unite with us in eectng the re-
FIRMS necessary TO the safety and prosperity Of our
country, believing, do that IL 10 high time the
career Of Interested and interruptions 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 blessings
And whereas we believe in the competency ability,
and right Of Anerican-born citizens 10 govern their
own country: therefore