Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-05

HBhuui purposes OF civil government, for its Off
cers 70 Interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and
hnaily, that truth is great and will 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 interposti0n disarmed of
her natural weapons, free argument and debate.
errors ceasng to be dangerous when it is permitted
freely to combat them.
BE IL, therefore, enacted BY the General as
se,abty, 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
norsha he otherwise suffer account ofhis 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-
laton 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 irrevocablc 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
passed to repeal the present. or to narrow its ope-
rations, such an act will be an Infringement of
natural right.
a
The following preamble and resolutions,
adopted at q 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 heda Carusis Saloon, on the 10th instant
upon call made in and approved by the Executive
organ, the proceedings Of which, in the resolutions
saad 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 resol-
uons however dressed up In abstract professions Of
patriotism, asual principles dear to the American
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 to remove
nom public employment such officeholders enter
tain those principles thereby to perpetrate ruthless
prescription Of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference Of opinion therefore
Resocsd, That mere professions Of love TO the con-
stitution and TO civil and religious freedom, when
contradcted by actions, cannot deceive the sensible
and vigilant guardians Of American liberty, whose
apprehensions have been excited at beholdng the
strides that have been made toward complete con-
troll Of our government by the subjects Of foreign
potentate we.known as the avowed enemy of our
whole American system, to whose overthrow they
are solemnly devoted.
Rssolped That as vigiant custodians of that bene-
fcent system Of civil and religious freedom bequeath
ed to us by the fathers of the republic it is duty
to 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 princi-
Piles and purposes, on the part of the recognised
ponents of the Roman Catholic Church In the United
States, subyersive Of our republican institutions,
which constitute aggressiops Of such character
that If not resisted will lead at no distant day.
n he thrpyV NJ fha Ann
the complete establishment Of despotsm.
Resot0ed 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, vet 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,
fortunes and sacred honor net TO cease our ex-
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace IT,
hssotUcd, That we proclaim, as the cardinal prnci-
Piles OF our political and moral creed, sacred regard
Tor the constitution in all its provisions upon which
are based our glorious American principles freedom
OF speech, freedom of opinion freedom of conscience
freedom Of the press together with q school system
for the diffusion Of intelligence sanctifed by an open
Bible the rule Of faith and practice, holding as an
estAblished principle that intelligence and virtue
essential 10 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-
stituton, we claim for Americans the right TO govern
their own country; and those who do not like our
governmcnt have our hearty consent TO 20 elsewhere
n the pursuit Of happiness.
Rssolped, That the fourth resolution of the meeting
st Csruss 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 States-proposes alarming and
dangerous infrscton OF the principles Of selfgoyern
ment and calls for the prompt and decisive rebuke
Of All the free citizens OF these United States without
distinction OF party, sect, OF creed
Resotped, That every Protestant denomination In
the United States maintains the constitutional prin-
cipic 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 70 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 70 our own happy land and in the other, in
the ignorance and poverty Of the masses, in the
wealth and vices Of the clergy and in the ceaseess
insurrectons, massacres and proverbal instability
OF our Southern sister Republics.
ResotDed, 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 vet we will still
hope that the President who alone has the power,
Will arrest the prescription already begun OF faithful
oftice-hoders, both Democrats and Wings for daring
TO 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 crafty the appetite Of efice
seekers at the expense Of many who zealously and
efficiently aided in his elevation TO power and whose
removal under existing circumstances win fx an in
delible stain upon him man and the President
Of the United States.
fesoiOed, That having seen the denunciations that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fusonists' Of the North, who are denounced as abb
sorbed in the traitorous factions" which distract
those States by which they one after another be-
ing placed in opposition TO the administration, we
were astonisbed TO hear the pressing invtion in the
second resolution Of our opponents TO Of all po
liticsl opinions, without regard 10 their political
antecedents," to form 'fusien" with them in their
future action AN invitation broad enough TO include
Garrison, Abby Kelly and Fred. Douglas, besides
their eosdiutors in the two houses Of Congress.
Resotrsd 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 it, and
especially 70 the religious, the moral and the order
loving classes, 10 unite with in efecting the re-
firms necessary TO the safety and prosperity of our
hall e. II