The Washingtonian., 1845-06-14
EXECUTION OF THE LAWS.

..H 3,IH
EXECUTION OF THE laws.
1t may not be true that the ''word is gov
erned too much" On this abstract question,
we feel no disposition to commit ourselves, at
present. A great deal. doubtless could be
said, for, and against, this proposition. IF our
object were merely to furnish matter for our
columns, or to show how learned or metaphy-
sical we could be- sufficient field is offered
by the suggestion Of this question. But, would
our readers be satisfied with our decision
Or, would they be benefited by its discussion?
Could any practical good result from such an
examination? We confess that the maxim
sounds well enough, and it might turn out,
upon proper inquiry into lis merits, that il con-
tains most wholesome truth. Or, it might
be ascertained that the facts of the case do not
justify the conclusion, and that it embodies the
spirit OF restless, lawless misrule. With this
very difficult problem we shall not attempt to
interfere. The state Of our work,-the excess
sive heat Of the weather,-wih subjects and
matters pressing upop CUR attention, which we
tl-a.er understand, and wficl, are, certainly, Of
ouch more importance, in our judgment, for
bid any such attempt u
Eut, without undertaking to decide this
very knotty point, we may be allowed to sug
gesl. As our own opinion, thai it is a great fol-
". and most grievous wrong, to retain upon
our statute books laws obsolete or imperative,
and which have never been repealed or re-
scinded. Our present complaint is, not that
",he world is governed too much" but that
we have laws pied upon laws, enactments adj
ded to enactmer,s, which have been justified
and approvedpy the public voice. and requi-
s,e 10 4ne public welfare, which are, to all ia
tents and purposes a dead letter. Nor do we
merely intend to point to laws, which the cum
ming, the artful, and the depraved, have it in
their power to elude, and against which no
wisdom in legislation can provide; but to those,
the provisions Of which are plain, clear, indis-
putable,-the violations of which are equally
palpable, and frequent, and in regard to which,
no attempt is made, on the part Of those
charged with their execution, to have them
respected and obeyed Better, in our judgment
would it be to abrogae all such laws. Let our
Legislators look into this subject, and have ex-
plunged from our statute books all laws, arbi-
trary, oppressive, unjust, or necessarily nope
rative. Let the laws by which we are to be
governed, be as few and simple in their provi-
sions as possible, SO that all may understand,
and yield a cheerful and ready obedience to
them.
But whenever and wherever these laws are
found to be necessary and wholesome, let them
be enforced, at all hazards, and without the
slightest respect to persons. Let the proud,
the rich, the aristocratie, be taught to under
stand, that they are as much amenable to
those laws as the humblest citizen of the
land. In this respect, at least, let us have
"no privileged orders among us. In theory
we spurn such an assumption it fre-'
quently happens, in the practical operation Of
our laws, that as broad and deep distinctions
are permitted to exist, as ever distinguished
the nobility OF other lands We intend these
remarks at present, to be general applying
TO every portion Of the country, and in refer
ence to all existing laws, and their faithful
execution. Consistency demands reform in
this particular The enlightened split of
the age requires it. Public justice and public
policy, alike require the modification, or repeal
of existing laws, found to be injurious or bur
dcnsome 10 the community; or their due en-
forcement, by those into whose hands this
power has been committed, until so modified
or repealed. Let not the officers of Justice
those who have been invested with Executive
funclions-shrink from the performance OF