The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-05-25

the extreme. i9lgqp a 2t4ful i'el bheif I.
BILL 10 RESTRAIN oUTRAGEs UPON THE
AMERICAN FLAG
e It is the opinion of able constitutional lawyers
that the President is armed with all authority
strain and redress oursges and to protect the cti
zens Of the United States who may have business
with the citizens subjects Of other governments.
We are clear, indeed, that such the intention of
the trainers Of the constitution simply because the
efficiency and force Of the federal arm in cases of
extreme necessity would seem justly to demand that
IL should be 10. We are reminded Of this subject
now by the existence of several cases Of outrage
committed upon the flag, citizens, and property of
the United States which, under existing laws, can
not be redressed ',, i,o t.,s.,,1..s8 AZ .,t,,, /.
q In reference to this matter the honorable senator
from Illinois, Judge Douglas introduced bill in the
Senate yesterday which was referred to the Com
mittee on Foreign Affairs. We give "a copy of the
project of Judge Douglas, as the subject is one of
the importance, and cannot receive too much
BILL to restrain and redress outrages upon the flag and
~, ~ M citizens Of the United States ~. aaI
" Bet enacted By The Sesas and Hous Of Representatives of tho
Unaad ats of Amsyioa COy,s asssnbd That in case
of fragrant violation of the laws nations by outrage upon
the flag SOIL citizens of the United States upon
their property under circumstances requiring prompt
dress and when in the opinion of the President delay
would be incompatibe with the honor and dignity of
the republic the President 10 hereby authorised TO
poy such force he may deem necessary prevent the
pspesou Of such outrages and to obtain just redress
and subtraction for the same, when perpetrated and IL
sha be his duty to lay the facts of each case together
with the for his action In the premises before
Congress- at the earliest practicable moment for such
further action thereon as Congress may direct r1
q The power Of the United States is contested all
over the world being quite sufficient to restrain
outrages upon their flag, and to redress wrongs in
Aicted upon their citizens and property. The real
difficulty exists in the fact that the executive
thority is too limited to enable the President to put
in force the abundant material we acknowledged
to possess In this way in the chief commercial
ports Of the world, Americans are told that their
government sis very good at home, but is absolutely
powerless abroad This branch, in fact, Of the ex-
eoutive functions is reserved to Congress-. The
President in other words, is armed with plenary
authority to embroil the nation in mischief but
when an active service is required Of him. to restrain
aggression upon the rights or persons Of our citi-
zens, that is duty which Congress- by the common
law Of our administrations, reserves to itself The
President may do ever much evil, but is forbidden
to do any good. Such we regard as the language of
existing laws ON the subject. t s3 bra a!a6 =
We hold it to be the clearest policy in the world
that the strength of the nation in case of wanton ag
gression upon our flag, should be put in position
to be exercised to extent necessary to vndicate
the honor and dignity of the republic. flla#
q The bill proposed by the distinguished senator
from Illinois is measure of the greatest Importance
to the country If it becomes law, it will simply
arm the Executive with authority to protect the flag
and citizens Of the United States. We have idea
that this has been introduced into the SEN
ate with any special reference to the alleged out
RACES which have recently been perpetrated upon
the merchant vessels Of the United States in the
West Indies, or, indeed, with reference to any spe
cal case or cases of kindred nature elsewhere nor
is It at all probable that such authority thus confer
red upon the President would in any manner tend
to embroil the country in difficulties with any nation
AS we see the proposition, it is eminently peace
MISUNDERSTANDING efficient administration of the
government possible at least, and by the known ex
istenoc and concentration of the power in the hands
of the President restraining the aggressor against
acts Of outrage against our flag, n ags}