Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-06-03
Senator DOuglas' BilLt TO Restrain
ONkraEcS uPOn n American
Flag.

DO0BA0S bAAA u HSeslritAh
ONkragcs upon the American
Flag.
The Washington Union speaks as fol-
lows OF che important measure recently
introduced into the Senate, by Mr.. DoUG-
Las, which We have heretofore publish
ed
1t is the opinion of able constitution
al lawyers that tho President is armed
with all authority to restrain and redress
outrages and to protect the citizens OF
the United States who may have bust
ness with the citizens or subjects of 9TH
or governments. We are clear, indeed,
that such was the Intention of the fran
ers of the constitution, simply because
the efficiency and force ofthafederal arm,
in cases of extreme necessity, would
seem Justly to demand that it should be
SO. We are reminded of this subject by
the existence of several cases of outrage
committed upon the flag, citizens and
property ofthe United States, which, un-
der existing laws cannot be redressed.
In reference to this matter, the hon
orable senator from Illinois, Judge
Douglas, introduced a bill in the Senate
yesterday, which was referred to the Com
mittee on Foreign Affairs. al
The power ofthe United States is con-
fessed all over the world as being quite
sufficient to restrain outrages upon their
flag, and to redress wrongs inflicted up
on their property. The real difficulty
exists in the fact that the executive au-
thority is too limited to enable the Presi-
dent to put in force the abundant ma
teria1 We are acknowledged to possess.
In this way, in the chief commercial
ports of the World, Americans are told
that their government lis very good at
home, but is absolutely powerless abroad.
This branch, in fact, of the executive
functions is reserved to Congress. The
President, in other words, is armed with
; plenary authority to embroil the nation
in misehief;b but when an active service
is required of him, to restrain aggres-
sion upon the rights or persons of our
citizens, that is a duty which Congress,
by the comm n law of our ad ninistra-
tons, reserved to itself. The President
may do ever SO much evil, but is forbid
den to do any GOOD Such we regard as
the language of existing avs on the
subject.
We hold il to be the c~learest policy
III Tie NOIiu ludl IlO SLECuSth VI IN u d
ton, in ease of wanton aggression up
on orr flag, should be put in a position
to be exercised to an extent necessary
to vindicate the honor and dignity o!
the republic.
The bill proposed by the distinguish
ed Senator from Illinois, is a measure Of
the greatest importance to the country.
II it becomes Il law, it will simply arm
the executive with authority to protect
the flag and citizens of the United
States. We have no idea that this
measure has been introduced into the
Senate with any special reference to the
alleged outrages which have recently
been perpetrated upon the merchant
vessels of the United States in the West
Indies, or, indeed, with reference to any
special case or cases of the kindred ma
9ture elsewhere, nor is it at probate that
such authority thus conferred all upon
the President, would in any manner
tend to embroil the country in Difficult
ties with any nation. AS we see the
proposition, it is e%minently a peace
MISUNDERSTANDING an efficient admin
istration of the government possible at
least, and by the known existence and
concentration of the power in the hands
of the President, restraining the aggres,
sor against acts of outrage against oul
flag.