Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-07

neh.s oi olnefs ohiy as they snail square With, or
diner nom, his own that il Is time enough, for the
rightful purposes of civil government, for its Off
GERS to interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and,
nnay 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 interpositon dsarnaed of
her natural weapons, free argument and debate,
errors ceasing to be dangerous when it is permitted
freely to combat them
Be q, therefore, enacted 5y Tho General As-
semdly, 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, burdened in his body or goods
norsha he otherwise suffer account ofisreiieious
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.
And though we well know this Assembly. elected
by the people for the ordinary purposes of legis-
lation 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 rrevocable 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 opc-
rations such an act will be an infringement of
natural right.
The following preamble and resolutions,
adopted at a 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
Whereas, public 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
sasd TO have been adopted at that meeting and In the
speeches OF certain selected orators at subsequent
adjourned meeting, spread before the public
eye IN the columns of said organ, and its kindred
presses, with appreciation and whereas said resou-
uens, however dressed up in abstract professions Of
patriotism, asnal 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
rom puDhc employment such oficeholders as enter
tain those principles thereby to perperate ruthless
prescription of both Wings and Democrats for an
honest diherence of opinion: therefore
HssoSued That mere professions Of love to the con-
sutution 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
strides that have been made toward complete con-
potentate well,known as the avowed enemy Of our
whole American system, to whose overthrow they
are solemnly devoted.
RssolpAa That a. vigilant cystodisns Of that bene
ncenf system of civil and religious freedom bequeath-
cd to US by the fathers Of the republic it Is our duty
TO meet and repef all insidous attacks upon our lib
critics as well as all open assaults; and that we view
with indignation and alarm the assertion Of princi-
pies and purposes ON the part of the recognised er
Ponents Of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
states, subversive Of eur republican institutions
winch constitute aggressions Of such character
that not now resisted will lead, at no distant day
TO the overthrow Of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment of despotism.
Resotped 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
hold dear we will bury every remembrance of past
opposition, and "pledge 10 each other lives our
fortunes, and our sacred honor net to cease our
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace it.
Resotved, That we proclaim, as the cardinal princi
Piles OF our political and moral creed sacred regard
for the constitution in all its provisions upon which
are based our glorious American principles s-freedom
OF speech, freedom Of opinion, freedom Of conscience
freedom Of the press, together with school system
Tor the diffusion of intelligence, sanctfed by an open
Bible the rule of faith and practice holding as an
established principle that intelligence and virtue
essential to the success of free government
ResoJued, That while we welcome 10 our country
the victims Of tyranny from foreign lands, and offer
them place by our side under the shield Of our con-
stituton claim for Americans the right 10 govern
their own country; and these who do not like our
government have hearty consent 10 20 elsewhere
in the pursuit of happiness
Resotced 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-
ings-a recommendation which, before its adoption,
md tad trp0n hv tha
tive OF the United States proposes alarming and
dangerous nfaction 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.
hesotued That every Protestant denomination in
the United States maintains the constitutional prin-
cipe 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 10 the ecclesiastical
authority, both In Europe and America; the sad and
rutneus effects Of which, in the one are seen in
countless emigrants flying from It's tyranny and
misery TO our own happy land, and in the ether in
the ignorance and poverty Of the masses, in the
wealth and vices of the clergy, and in the ceaseess
Instructions, massacres, and proverbial instability
Of our Southern sister Republics.
Rcotoed, 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 proceedngs yet will still
hope that the President who alone has the power,
viii arrest the prescription already begun of faithful
ofBce-holders, both Democrats and Wings for daring
70 entertain American and Protestant sentiments
and viii reject the mercenary suggestion urged upon
him by the fourth resolution of the meeting last week
az covert scheme TO GRITTY the appetite Of office
seekers at the expense Of many who zeslously and
efficiently aided in his elevation to power and whose
removal under existing circumstances will FIX in
delible stain upon him as man and the President
Of the United States.
hesoIped, That having seen the denunciatons that
almost daily issue from certain presses against the
"fusionists' If the North, who are denounced abb
sorbed in the trsitorous factions" which distract
those States by which they are after another be-
ing placed in opposition 70 the administration, we
we're sstonished TO hear the pressing nvion in the
second resolution Of our opponents 70 men of all po-
htical opinions without regard 10 their "potical
antscedents," to form "fnsion" with them in their
future action--sn invitation broad enough TO include
Garrison, Abby Kelly, and Fred Douglas, besides
their cosdjutors In the two houses of Congress-