Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-11-23

any other flour day and country from crimes Of excitement
turbulence, and force and commonly therefore, de-
be- TO domestic peace by vndcatng the supremacy
of the laws.
WE KNOW that this law will be enforced here fairly and
according to its terms and that il will be vindcated no
matter what the personal character of the who may
sail it. what their profession position in life or their just
influence other topics with those who about them
This law, repeat it, will be enforced, and if broken. it will
be vindicated The constitutional compact, which was made
within these very walls, will never be repudiated here
have alluded unreserved discussion among the es-
sentia and characteristic rights of counymen II may
be MORE duty and yet there limits beyond which
what sometimes called discussion neither profitable mol
lawful To question: TO debate to determine upon the poll
cy or the impoicy of particular law system Of laws TO
influence by argument by appeals feeling even the &C
ton Of those whom the law making entrusted by
the constitution the judgment Of the people of the States
who by their votes make the law-nake-a this is Lawful
and may be praseworhy But further and refuse ODE
dence 10 statute TO stimulate oppugnation it while il
stands in all the dignity of the supreme law of the land
harass the officers of the law while engaged in enforcing it.
seek TO deter them from attempting to do by denun-
citation of harm, by pledges of immunity, tc
deeds Of violent resistance against hemths is neither the
duty the moral right nor this gives you charge
| is it the legal right Of any citizen
There several Of Congress which may be properly
brought to your view in connexion with this subject The
Of these in the order Of dates the act Of the 3Oh April
1890, commonly called the Crimes Act (ch 81 The 2Sd
section Of this act provides that elf any person shall knew
ngly and wiuy obsuc resist, oppose any officer OF the
United States in serving attempting to serve any mesne
warrant any rule order Of OF the courts
of the United States any other legal judicial writ OF
whatsoever every such person SHALL on convicon
be imprisoned exceeding twelve months, and fined not ex
ceedDg three hundred dollars This section has been held
by Judge Washington comprehend all descriptions of pro
in the hands of officer Of the United States
and the offence of resistance to be complete where the party
has refused obey officer according his writ, whether
the refusal accompanied by breach of the
~ h.
Another is that Of the ID Of March, 1881, (chap 49,
of which the second section contains these words any
person shall corupty by threats force endeavor 10 in
fuence inmdae impede any juror. Witness or officer
in any of the Unied States in the discharge OF his duty
shall corupy, by threats force obsuct impede
endeavor obsruct impede the due administration Of
justice therein every person offending SHALL conviction
be punished fine exceeding five hundred dollars BY
imprisonment exceeding three months or both, according
to the nature and aggravaion Of the offence"
Besides these the act Of Congress Of the 18th OF Septem
Der last ch COY relates particularly to the offences OF
obsructDg the Of fugitive from labor, and OF rescu-
ing attempting him when arrested, aiding him
escape from custody after arrest harborng conceal
him prevent his discovery and arrest after know
ledge notice that he such fugitive each Of which
offences it subjects to fine not exceeding one thousand dol
lars, and imprisonment not exceeding SIX months.
IT. gentlemen shall be brought to your knowledge that
either Of the offences which these acts describe has been
mitted within this district either by resident citizens or by
Strangers it will be your duty, under the oaths and srma-
lions you nave now taken, 10 Dng the acs 10 tue noce
the court either by appropriate prcsenmen or by bills
Of indictment against the parties inculpated.
am cdiciay apprzed however, that evidence will
be laid before you which should form the basis Of such
ton your part. We have all Of US, from time to time
heard Of popular gatherings in this and Of the
adjoining countless which purposes said to have been
threatened, approaching less closely to crime But
do not remember to have heard that any officer OF the Uni
ted Slaes other person charged with process has been
resisted within the bounds Of this district that the meet
ngs around have gone further than the proclamation Of
peculiar theories Of political MORALS and some vague
and contingent menaces. And would distinguish literally
and would have you distinguish between mere exava-
gance of dcon aud the endeavo by threats force to
obsruct the execution of the laws of the country.
have now, gentlemen completed in all ankness the few
observations which the occasion has seemed to to call for
submit them you with the fullest assurance that they
will be accepted by you in kindred spirit and that your de-
teraons and your action the interesting subject to which
they relate will be characterized by frmnes dignity and,
above ALL by uucompomisng devotion to the constitution
of the United States. X. IA.