Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-17
WASHINGTON. ID. G.. SATURDAY
AYI IAFTERNOON, MARCH II, 1856.

menfs Of others only as they shall square With or
diner ffom his own; that Il Is time enough for the
righffui purposes Of OWL 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 win 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 interposition disarmed Of
her natural weapons free argument and debate,
errors ceasng 10 be dangerous when II Is permitted
freely 10 combat them. as 81 m II :
Be u, therefore, enacted 6y us General As
ssn'bty, 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 or burdened In his BODY or goods
norshallhe otherwise suffer ofhis RELIGIOUS
opinions or belief but that all men shall be free 10
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. 3
And though we wen know this Assembly, elected
by the people for the ordinary purposes Of legis-
iafion 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 irevocable would be Of no effect m 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 part" 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 Carsis Saleon on the 10th instant
upon call made in and approved by the Executive
organ the proceedings Of which, in the resolutions
SAID 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 in the columns Of said organ, and its kindred
items however dressed up in abstract professions Of
patriotism, asuad principles dear to the American
heart and necessary TO the safety Of the constitution
and TO the peace and prosperity Of our country and
from public employment such ofliceholders as enter
tain those principles thereby to perpetrate ruthless
prescription of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference Of opinion: therefore
Rssotoad That mere professions Of love to the con-
sttution and to civil and religious freedom, when
contradcted by actions capnpt deceive the sensible
and vigilant guardians of American liberty, whose
aPPrehensions have been excited at beholding the
troll OF our government by the subjects Of foreign
potentate well-known as the avowed enemy of our
whole American system, to whose overthrow they
are soemnly devoted.
Rssoloed, That as vgilant custodaus Of that bene-
cent system Of civil and religious freedom bequeath-
cd TO by the fathers of the republic il Is our duty
TO meet and repel all nsidious 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 the part Of the recognised ex-
ponents Of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
states, subyersye of eur republican institutions,
which constitute agEessions of such q character
that If not now resisted, viii lead, at no distant day,
TO the overthrow Of the American Consultation and
the complete establishment Of despotism,
Rssososd That while, in the past political divisions
struggled In honest conflict over contested principles
and measures, all Of which are now settled yet Ia
the present crisis of danger 10 all that both parties
opposition, and "pledge toeach other our lives our
fortunes and our sacred honor net to 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 principles
Of speech freedom of opinion, freedom Of conscsnse
freedom Of the press, together with school system
for the diffusion OF intelligence, sanctfed by open
Bible as the rule Of faith and practice holding as an
established principle that intelligence and virtue are
essential 10 the success Of free government
Resolped, That while we welcome 70 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 10 govern
their own country; and those who do not lihe our
government have our hearty consent o 60 elsewhere
II the pursuit az happiness
Resd,oed, That the fourth resolution Of the meeting
at Oarqsis Saloon, recommending to the President oi
the United States prescription OF s officers Of the
federal government who may have thought ct 10 be-
come members of the association Of Know Rnotb-
,ngsIs recommendation which, before its adoption.
had been recognised and acted upon by the Execu,
tive OF the United States-proposes an alarming and
dangerous infructon Of the principles of selfgovern-
ment and calls for the prompt and decisive rebuks
Of all the ee citizens OF these United States without
distinction OF party, sect OF creed.
Resolved, That every Protestant denomination In
the United States maintains the constitutional prir.
ciple OF q separation Of Church and St.s-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
ru'neus effects Of which, in the one, APE seeh IN
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
nsurreenons M msssaeres and proverbial instability
hesotpsd, That upon thess principles We appeal
from the opinions, whose proclamation has caused
this meeting, 70 the people Of the United States
Of executive feelings, from The official poaitsns OF
those who controlled the proceedings vet we will stil
hope that the Prcsident who alone has the power,
vii arrest the prescription already begun Of hirhfnl
ofaoe-hoiders both Democratic and whigs for daring
70 entertain American and Protestant sentiments,
and viii reject the mercenary suarsston urged upon
him BY the fourth resolution OF the meeting fast week.
az covert scheme 70 crafty the appetite Of Office
seekers at tho expense sf many who zealously and
efficiently aided In bis elevation 10 power and whose
removal under existing circumstances win fx an in.
delible stain upon him as man and the President
Of the United States.
fesoIrsd, That haying seen the denunciations that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fnaonists 81 tho North, who are denounced as abb
sorbed in "the tratorous factions" which distract
those States BY which they are after another be-
Ing placed in opposition 10 the administration, we
were astonshed TO hear the pressing invition in the
second resolution Of our opponents 10 men Of all po-
liical opinions, without regard 10 their political
enteccdents," 70 form 'fnsion" with them In their
future sctionsn invitation broad enough 70 include
Garisent Abby Kelly, and Pred Douglas, besides
their ocadtntors In The two houses Of Congress.
Rssotpsd, That We, too appeal 70 all Americans
who love TIE Union, which 'must be preserved and
the constitution which established and maintains il
rfohfa m thr Qfofc. ..t~l. ,o.x .n.. .,1