The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-11-03
The Power ana ths DUTY OF IN. President.

We have reason to believe that the marshal OF The dis
trict OF Massachusetts has met with difficulties and OBJ
strucons in the discharge Of his official duties from
combinations or mobs loo powerful 10 be overcome
suppressed by the ordinary Of Judicial proceed
ngs in the city OF Boston, and that he has taken proper
steps to apprze the President OF The United States Of the
fact II this be true the President has cast upon him the
responsibility Of taking scare that the laws be faithfully
executed" What is his power and what his duty in such
an emergency az this presents The constitution pre-
ssribes that duty TO be to stake care that the laws be
faithfully executed" The act OF Congress Of the 2sh
February. l795--sections and 3-poins out the mode
in which this duty shall be performed
..SEc And b. further enacted. That whenever the laws
of the United States shall be opposed the execution
obsucted in any State, by combinations 100 pow
eeedipr or by the powers vested In The mashas by this
act shall be lawful for The President OF the United States
or Safes as may be 10 suppress such combaa
lions, and the laws % be duly execued and the
cessary until the expiration Of thirty days after the
rnencemen Of the then next Sc ssion OF Congress 49,
SIC g. Provided Gltrdy and be further enacted, That
whenever may be necessary, in The jadgmen, Of the
President to use the military force hereby directed to be
such insurgents dispense, and retire peaceab
10 the il res pective abodes, within limited time"
There no special mode prescribed Of apprizng the
President OF such difficulties or distractions in the
ecuton OF the federal laws; but the marshal is the
officer whose power and authority are Immediately inter-
fered with, he would be naturally and properly the officer
to inform the President OF the existence OF the emergency
for his official cooperation Has the marshal Of the dis
rct of Massachusetts given him such information Has
the President determined to act land in what manner
The first step as have heretofore urged the issuing
Of proclamation Will the President do thiss II not,
what will he dor Might not the President issue the
proclamation TO the people OF the danger of viola
ting the law, and in the mean time make arrangements
by dsposng Of the troops Of the United States to
support the proclamation, il necessary
OF the troops 10 be called out to aid in the
execution Of ciu process and must act under the general
supervision OF the civil officer ntrused with that duty
but while acting in this capacity, they subject 10 the
as the troops OF the United States: they are, in word
military force. but subject to the order and control Of
ciu officer Should the occasion arise for effective action
the Executive has PROFESSIONALLY all the right, power
and authority employ such force to suppress riots and
combinations as may be requisite to accomplish the object
for which their aid is invoked Has the President done
anything or prepared do anything, to the
focement OF the fugitive slave law in Boston, Or has
he suffered this violent outrage to pass by without notice
or rebuke Mere general promises TO enforce the law
are OF little in such critical times these Ac
tonpomp and efficient action under the statutes OF the
land and according to the precedent set by General
Washington--is demanded. Is Mr.. Fillmore ready TO
glue thus PLEDGE that he will not shrink from his duty
We hope he may be equal to the crisis trust he may
stand self poised amidst the impending dangers