Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-26


uents Of others only as they shall square with, or
differ from his own; that It is time enough for the
rlghtfal purposes Of civil government for It's OH
GERS TO Interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and,
nnaily that truth Is great and win prevail If left 70
herself that she Is the proper and sufficient antsg-
onist Of error, and has nothing 10 fear from the
confiict unless by human interpostion disarmed Of
her natural weapons, free argument and debate,
errors ccssng 70 De dangerous when 1t Is permitted
freely to combat them.
Bs u, therefore, enacted By the General A.
sens6ly, 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 olested. burdened in his body or goods
shall he otherwise suffer on 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
N no wise diminish, enlarge, Or affect their civil
And though we wen know this Assembly, elected
by the people for the ordinary purposes Of legis-
ation 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 irrevocabe 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 If any act shall be hereafter
F>e,oSA
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 Caruss Saloon ON the 10th instant
upon 2 call made in and approved BY the Executive
sasd 70 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 resou-
tens, however dressed up in abstract professions Of
patriotism, asuaI principles dear to the American
heart and necessary TO the safety Of the constitution
ana 70 the pence and prosperity of country and
rom public employment such officeholders as enter
tain those principles thereby to perpetrate ruthless
prescription Of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference of spinion therefore
stitution and to civil and religious freedom when
contradicted by actions cannot deceive the sensible
and vigilant guardians of American liberty, whose
apprehensions have been excited at behofding the
u
troll OF our government by the subjects Of foreign
potentate wellknown as the avowed enemy Of our
whole American system, to whose overthrow they
are solemnly devoted
Resolved That, as vigilant custodans Of that bene
hcent system Of civil and religious freedom bequeath
ed to by the fathers of the republic ii is our duty
TO meet and repel all nsidous attacks upon our lib
critics as well as all open assaults and that we view
with indignation and alarm the assertion of princ-
pies and purposes the part Of the recognised ex
ponents of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
states, subversive of eur republican institutions
which constitute aggressions of such q character
that If not now resisted win lead at no distant day.
TO the overthrow Of the American Constitution and
the complete establshmsnt az dcspotisn.
Resolved That while In the past political divisions
Of the country, as Whigs and Democnts 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 70 each other our lives, our
fortunes and sacred honor not TO cease our ex-
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace IL
Resotued, That we proclaim as the cardinal princi
pies OF our political and moral creed sacred regard
for the constitution in all its provisons upon which
are based our glorious American principlesfreedom
Of speech freedom of opinion, freedom of conscience
freedom Of the press, together with school system
for the diffusion of intelligence sancted by an open
Bible the rule of faith and practice holding as an
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
essential to the success Of free government
Resotped, That while we welcome TO our country
the victims of tyranny from foreign lands and offer
them place by side under the shield Of our con-
situton, we claim for Americans the right TO govern
their own country; and those who do not like our
government have our hearty consent 70 70 elsewhere
Rsolued 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 it TO be-
come members Of the association Of Know Knoth-
VIII hafn fts al
had been recognised and acted upon by the Execu-
tive Of the United States--proposcs 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.
Resotced, That every Protestant denomination in
the United States maintains the constitutional prn-
ciple Of 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 TO 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 its tyranny and
misery TO our own happy land, and in the other, in
the ,ignorance and poverty Of the masses, in the
Instructions, massacres and proverbial instability
Of our Southern sister Republics.
Rssotped, 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
Of executive feelings, from the official positions Of
those who controlled the proceedings yet will still
hope that the President who alone has the power,
will arrest the prescription already begun Of faithful
of6ce-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 fast week
a. covert scheme 10 GRITTY the appetite Of Office
seekers at the expense IF many who zealousy and
efficiently aided in his elevation 10 power and whose
removal under existing circumstances win FIX an in
delible stain upon him as man and the President
Of the United States.
hesotped, That having seen the denuncistions that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fusionists' ef the North, who denounced as abb
sorbed in "the traitorous factions" which distract
those States, by which they are enc after another be-
ing placed in opposition TO the administration, we
were astonshed 10 hear the pressing invition in the
second resolution of our opponents to men Of oil po-
hcal opinions, without regard TO their political
antecedents," ts 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.
ResotUed, That we, too, appeal 10 all Americans
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