The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-12-07
Resistance to Officers.

We nave "oru W say respecting Nio-
lence offered 10 officers when in the dis.
charge oil official duties. In our own, as
well as in some other places, sentimen,
seems 10 exist among certain classes that
resistance 10 officers is a matter Of small
moment, ligh, offence, simila- in grade to
petty cases Of assault, and battery, and 10 be
punished as such trivial offences are. How
much this sentiment has been produced by
the appeals which have been made for poli,-
ical purposes 10 passion and ignorance. and
to the spirit Of fault finding both with a par.
iicular law and the manner Of executing il,
we shall no, stop 10 enquire. Most certain
ly the things we have mentioned, have not
been without their efiec, upon the vicious
and ignorant, and have led, or paved the
way for that resistance which our police
officers have encountered in several ins,an-
ces, when in the discharge OF their duty,
and particularly in the more recen, cases
which occurred here last Saturday, when
he Marshal Of the City was met with VIC
lence when executing precept.
The law has wisely made violence 10 an
officer a grave offence, as much for the pro-
lection Of all, as for his own safety, and
every man who is law-abiding citizen,
aud who expects 10 be shielded from sudden
and violent injuries, should be ready a, all
times 10 protect our officers, and to discoun.
ienance all that leads to the commission OF
violence when the law is attempted 10 be
put in force. We do not arm ourselves
against rufians. Our protection when we
meet them, is the confidence we have in
the security which the law gives 10 our per-
sons and properiy-,o the knowledge that
we have, lha, the Wholesome restraints Of
law are upon all lawless persons, keeping
Them, as it were, on their good behavior.
We have placed the power to secure us
from injury, in the hands Of appointed Off
GERS, who are responsible for all abuse of
their powers, and we expect them TO secure
our safety wherever we are. But the eff.
cacy Of their power depends upon the peo-
pie, and in order to render the power ellica.
cicus, the people should siernly rcbuke all
that tends 10 weaken the power they have
gwen to be exercised for their good. An
officer should feel when executing pre-
ceP', when called 10 suppress a riot, or 10
make an arrest, that he has The power OF
the State, 10 sustain him. and it should be
understood tina, to resist or assault an officer
involves more serious consequences than
the same injury done 10 a private person.
The punishment Of such an act, should be
certain, immediate, and severe - such
tina, the mere presence Of an officer would
qucll any disturbance AMI subdue any Of
fender. This is the sures, way to prcven,
resistance. liar officer abuses his power,
as we have before said, the remedy is am
pie. Those who risk their persons and their
lives for the public safety are entitled TO
every security which the people who make
tho law, and true public sentiment can
put in their hands. He who extenuates the
conduct Of those who offer resistance to the
sheriff, on the ground that the law sought
to be executed is an improper one, or who
finds fault with the manner in which the
police discharge thoir duties, generally, does
not. i, is true, render himself liable 10 pun
ishment, bu, he is frequently more guilty
than those who are melted by his words and
his influence TO resist the public officers
The defiant spirit which seems to exis,
needs 10 be promptly rebuked, and we do
bu, fulfil n duty which we owe 10 the pub
lie, when we ask tina, our officers should
have the powerful arm Of a eouec, public
sentiment when in the discharge Of their
duties. They have a right to require this
much, and none but men Of a lawless spirit
who like public disorder better than quie,
will withheld il from them.