Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-19
WASHINGTON. D. G. THURSDAY AFTERNOON, April 10 1855

ments OF Others only they shall square with, or
diner from his own; that it is time enough, for the
rightful purposes of civil government, for Its Off
GERS 70 interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and
that truth is great and viii prevail If left TO
nerSeh that she Is the proper and sufficient antag
onist OF error, and has nothing to fear from the
connct, unless by human interpositon disarmed of
ncr natural weapons, free argument and debate
errors ceasng to be dangerous when 1t is permitted
freely 70 combat them.
~ ~ therefore, enacted by The General As
seai6ty, 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 or burdened in his body or goods
nor shall he otherwise sufferon account ofh religious
opinions or belief but that all men shall be free to
profess, and by argument to maintain, their opn.
ions IN matters Of religion, and that the same shall
In no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil
capacities 'ta@
And though we wen know this Assembly elected
by the people for the ordinary purposes Of lepis
lation only, have no power to restrain the acts Of
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 9th 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 s n
Whereas, public meeting of citizens Of Washing
upon call made in and approved by the Executive
organ, the proceedings Of which, in the resolutions
saN TO have been adopted at that meeting and in the
speeches OF certain selected orators at subsequent
eye in the columns Of said organ, and its kindred
presses, with aPprobaton and whereas said resolu-
tens however dressed up in abstract professions Of
patriotism asual principles dear to thet American
and TO the peace and prosperity Of our country ana
Whereas the Executive is invoked therein TO remoyo
from public employment such oficeholders as entA-
tam those prinspss thereby to pergetate ruthle
honest difference Of epiniof therefore
ssobUea, That mere proessioes Of love to the con-
stituton and TO civil and religious freedom, when
contradcted by actions, canhot deceive the sensible
and vig1lant guardians of American liberty whose
apprehensons have been excited at behofdinp 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 Amsricsn system, TO whose overthrow they
Reso1oed, That as vigant custodians of that bene-
hcent system ofcivil and religious freedom bequeath
ca 70 us by the fathers Of the republic 1t is our duty
70 meet and repe all insidious 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 ex-
ponents OF the Roman Catholic Church in the United
AtnH drthv nf
which constitute aggressions of such a charactef
that II not now resisted will lead at no distant dat
70 the overthrow Of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment of despotsm.
Resotred, 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 pledge to each other our lives, our
fortunes and sacred honor" net 10 cease our ex-
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace IL
Piles of our political and moral creed, sacred regard
for the constitution in all its provisions upon which
are based our glorious American principlcs-recdom
OF speech, freedom Of opinion freedom of conscience
for the diffusion Of Intelligence, sanctied BY an open
Bible the rulr of fath and practice holding as an
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
essential TO 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-
stituton, claim for americans the right to govern
their own country; and these who do not Ike our
goyernment have our hearty consent 10 60 elsewhere
II the pursuit Of happiness.
Resolvsd, That the fourth resolution Of the meeting
at Caruss Saloon, recommending 70 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 It's adoption
had been recognised and acted upon by the Execu-
tive Of the United States-proposcs 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.
hssoeced That every Protestant denomination In
the United States maintains the constitutional prn
oiple Of separation Of Church and State--n which
principle many American Catholics sincerely concur
while on the other hand, the Pspal 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 It's tyranny aud
misery 70 our own happy land, and in the other, in
wealth and vices Of the clergy and in the ceaseless
insurrectoDs, massacres and proverbia instability
of our Southern sister Republics.
Resotsed, That upon these principles we appeal
this meeting, 10 the people of the United States;
and, although we might infer they are an exponent
Of executive feelings, from the eficia positions Of
those who controlled the proceedings yet win still
hope that the President who alone has the power,
will arrest the prescription already begun of faithful
ce-boders, both Democrats and Wings for daring
70 entertain American and Protestant sentiments
and win reject the mercenary suggestion urged upon
him BY the fourth resolution Of the meeting last week.
az covert scheme 10 GRITTY the appetite Of Office
seekers at the expense Of many who zealously and
efficiently aided in his elevation TO power and whose
removal under existing circumstances win fix an in
delibe stain upon him as man and the President
Of the United States
fesoiosd, That having seen the denunciations 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 after another be-
ing placed in opposition TO the administration, we
were astonshed TO hear the pressing invition in the
second resolution Of our opponents to Of all po-
hhcal opinions, without regard 10 their political
antecedents" 70 form "fusien" with them in their
future action an invitation broad enough TO include
Garrison, Abby Kelly, and Fred Douglas, besides
their coadiutors in the two houses Of Congress.
UAAAIA uFI.-