The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-18

Union 10 the other, unjustifabe step, an un-
warrantable assumption OF responsibility, and no
paper would probably have been louder in its in
dignant tones than the Enquirer.
The Enquirer harps upon the readiness Of the
President to march upon Texas. He has also de-
clared his readiness to march against any State,
when 1t shall be necessary, where the laws have
been successfully resisted. Does this satisfy the
Enquirer? No. Ii says he issued proclamation
against Texas. So he has against Boston, and all
other places, for, in his Mesa ge he solemnly
nounces that the laws shall be enforced epery lohere
The Enquirer and other prints have been calling
on the President for proclamation for some time !;
they wanted to his hand He has at length
made one marked by dignity, manness, and
firmness. Have they given him credit for it? Not
particle; but, on the contrary, have opened upon
him fresh batteries of abuse and denuncIation.
The Enquirer complains that Hughes and Knight,
the agents who went IN pursuit of the fugitive
slaves were subjected to vexatious suits, and com
pellcd to give bail in large amounts, among a
strange people. Was this the fault OF the Presi-
dent or the marshn, Certainly not. Did it con-
stitute null ifcatori of the federal law? Certainly
not 1t was malicious and vexatious persecution
which people liable TO any where, and for
which the parties in this have their remedy
i'll the courts Of Massachusetts. Let the proper
remedy be sought in the proper place, but do not
hold the President responsible for the malicious pro-
ceedlngs OF a free negro mob
But If these agents were forced to give bail, III
large amounts, among a strange people, there ID a
per contra to the fact, which the Enquirer fails to
forth in the same prominent characters with which
1t enters the debit They found friends there, toh0
READILY and cheerfuy roent their ball. as large Us the
amount
But let all be as is charged Let us admit that
the marshal failed in his duty, that the President
derelict in his and that the Boston mob had it
all their own way Is dissolution of the Union
the remedy? Is the whole Cvniederacy to be dis
ruptured for the misconduct of State! Are n
hundred cities to be sacked and burnt because one
has nufed a law of Congress? Are millions of
people TO be punished for the misdemeanor Of few
hundred ianatics' ls a law intended to operate in
thlrty-one States, and TO last forever, to be de-
nounced inefficient and nugatory, because it has
been evaded in the first and only instance in which
its execution has been attempted Let the boldest
answer.
In the same article upon which we are comment
ing the Enquirer copies and endorses the following
from the Washington Union:
'The internal improvement scheme of Mr.. Fill
more, If the means the credit of the Government,
stretched TO its utmost tension should be able TO
carry it out, even partially would obliterate the
boundaries OF the States, destroy their pride, and
humble them into mere supphants of Federal
bounty"
| Now we respectfully ask, what would sooner
"obliterate the boundaries Of the States, destroy
their PRIDE and humble them into mere suppliants
! Of federal bounty" than for the President, upon
every little popular outbreak 10 order out the fed
| eral troops-bockade the houses of the people, and
shoot them down in the streets. An unprincpled or
ambitious man, at the head of the Government,
would not be slow TO avail himself of every the
trivial pretext for thus overawng the States, and
strengthening his own authority. The States would
soon learn TO look TO the Federal Government for
counsel in the administration of their affairs
and support in quelling resistance TO their own
laws. They would soon feel that they had neither
the physical nor moral force TO maintain their owr
dignity and authority; and the absence of an over
swing body of Federal troops from city would b,
the signal for riot and insubordination. We foi
one deny this ready power TO the President. He ha
no right 20 act unless under the sternest necessity
| and then not from hearsay and spaper reports
officers that the ordinary means have failed, an
that the assistance of the military is necessary tn
enforcement of the law. The exercise Of extraor
binary Federal authority within the limits Of
State should be watched with vigilant and jealou
eye-particularly by those who seem 10 have TIA
"pride Of the States" as much at heart al the En-
quirer and Union.