Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-27

ments Of Others only as they shall square with, or
differ om his own; that IL is time enough for the
rghtful purposes Of civil government for its Off
GERS 70 interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and,
finally that truth is great and will prevail ifeft 10
herself that she Is the proper and sufficient antag-
onist Of error, and has nothing to fear from the
conflict, unless by human interpostion disarned OF
her natural weapons, free argument and debate,
errors ceasing TO be dangerous when 1t Is permitted
freely TO combat them.
Be il, therefore, enacted By the General As
se'adly, That no man shall be compelled to ffe-
quent or support any religious worship, place, or
ministry whatsoever nor shall he be enforced. re-
strained, molested orburdened in his body or goods
norshal he otherwise suffer account ofhisreiigous
opinions or belief but that all men shall be free to
profess, and by argument 70 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 wen 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 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 viii 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 will doubt
less be read with interest by the friends Of
pi,,1a tI.,,
TO wit: -
ton was held at Caruss Saloon, on the 18th 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
presses, with appreciation and whereas said resolu
ions, however dressed up in abstract professions OF
patriotism, asIa.l principles dear TO the American
heart and necessary to the safety of the constitution
and TO the peace and prosperity of our counry and
Whereas the Executive is invoked therein to remove
irem public employment such officeholders as enter
.an those principles thereby to pergerate ruthless
prescription OF both Wings and Democrats for an
honest difference of opinion: therefore
Reso50ed That mere professions of love 10 the con-
stituton and TO civil and religious freedom, when
contradcted by actions, cannot deceive the sensible
and vigilant guardians of American liberty, whose
approximations have been excited at behofdng the
strides that have been made toward d complete con-
troll Of our government by the subjects Of foreign
potentate wel-known the avowed enemy Of our
whole American system, 70 whose overthrow they
ure solemnly devoted.
Resotced, That vigilant cusodians Of that bene-
cent system Of civil and religious freedom bequeath-
ed to US by the fathers of the republic it is duty
to meet and repe all insdious attacks upon our lib
critics as well as all open assaults; and that we view
With indignation and alarm the assertion of prnci-
pies and purposes, on the part Of the recognised
ponents OF the Roman Catholic Church in the United
~tates snbversive Of republican institutions,
which constitute aggrcssions of such character
thRt II not now resisted, will lead at no distant day
to the overthrow Of the American Constitution and
the complete establishment of despotsm.
Reso1ped, That while, IN the past political divisions
OF the country, as Whigs and Democrats, we have
struggled In honest conflict contested principles
and measures all of which are now settled, vet in
the present crisis Of danger to all that both parties
bold dear We will bury every remenbrance of past
opposition, and "pedge 70 each other our lives, our
fortunes and our sacred honor" net cease our ex-
ertions until our country shall be freed from the
dangers that now menace il
Resojped That we proclaim AZ the cardinal prpci-
pes Of our political and moral creed sacred regard
Tor the constitution in allits provisions upon which
are based our glorious American prnciples-frecdom
OF speech, freedom Of opinion freedom OF conscence
freedom Of the press together with school systen
for the diffusion Of intelligence sanctiBed by an open
Bible as the rule Of faith and practice holding AZ an
established principle that intefgepce and virtue are
eoscntihi W tbt succees OF fee g0fernmentt
Resolpsd, That while we welcome to our country
the victims Of tyranny from foreign lands and offer
them place by our side under the shield of our con-
stptOn, we claim for Americans the right TO govern
tasfr own country; and these who do not like our
government have hearty consent 70 20 elsewhere
u the pursuit Of happiness. 4i&
Reeolped. That the fourth resolution Of the meeting
at Oanss saloon, recommending 10 the President Of
the United States prescription Of all officers Of the
federal government who may have thought Git 20 be-
come members Of the association Of Know Knoth-
ings-a accommodation which, before its adoption,
had been recognised aud acted upon by the Execu-
tive Of the United States proposes an alarming and
dangerous infraction Of the principles OF seleoyern
ment and calls for the prompt aud decisivs rebuke
Of all the free citizens OF these United States without
distinction Of party, sect, or creed. So
hssolped 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 10 the
authority, both in Europe and America; the sad and
ru'neus effects OF which, in the one, are seen In
countless einigrants flying from its tyranny and
misery 70 our own happy land, and in the other in
wealth and vices Of the clergy and in the ceaseIess
insurrections, massacres and proverbial instability
of our Southern sister Republics
Resotsed, That upon these principles ive appeal
from the opinions, whose proclamation has caused
and, although we might infer they are an exponent
a executive feelings, from the official positions Of
those who controlled the proceedings yetwe win still
hope that the President who alone has the power,
will arrest the prescription already begun of faithful
oahce-holders, both Democrats and Whgs for daring
20 entertain American and Protestant sentiments,
and VIII reject the mercenary suggestion urged upon
him by the fourth resolution Of the meeting last week
as covert scheme TO crafty the appetite sf Office
seekers at the expense Of many who zealously and
ricently aided in his elevation 10 power and whose
removal under existing circumstances will fix an in
deiible stain upon him as man and the President
Of the United States.
hesolpsd That having seen the denunciations that
almost daily Issue from certain presses against the
"fusionists # the NORTH who are denounced as alb
sorbcd IN "the tratoruus factions which distract
thoso States by which they after another be-
ing placed in opposition 20 the administration, we
were astonished TO hear the pressing invtion in the
second resolution Of our opponents 70 men Of all po-
htical opinions, without regard 10 their political
antecedents,' 1. form fusion" with them in their
future actonan invitation broad enough TO include
Garrison, Abby Kelly, and Fred Douglas, besides
their condlutors in the two houses Of Congress.