Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1858-06-01
A Bill to Restrain outrAgss upon the Amsri
ran Fta0

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! II is the opinion Of able constitutional law
yers that the President is armed with all au-
thority TO restrain and redress outrsgss, and to
protect the citizens Of the United States who
may have business with the citizens or subjects
Of other governments. We are clear, indeed,
that such was the intention Of the trainers OF
the constitution, simply because the efficiency
and force Of the federal arm, IN cases Of eX
tTeme necessity, would seem Justly to demand
that It should he so. We are reminded OF this
subject now BY the existence Of several cases
Of outrage committed upon the dag, citizens,
and property of the United States, which, uh-
der existing laws, cannot be redressed.
In references to this matter. the honorable
Senator from Illinois, Judge Douglas, intro
duced bill in the Senate yesterday, which
was referred to the committee on Foreign Al
fairs. We give copy Of the project OF Judge
Douglas, as the subject is one Of the graVest
importance, and cannot receive too much az
tention:
BILL to restrain and redress ou,rsses upon tAe DAG
ard citissns of the Uuifed atates.
BE It endetsa BY The Ssnafs and House Of Rep
Tessatafires Of the CRifed Siafes Of .7m'riea IN
COagrfss 0sSembled. That, in case of aagrant
violation cf tne laws of nations by outrage
upon the flag, soil or citizens Of The United
States, OF upon their property, under circum-
stances requiring PROMPT redress, and when,
in the opinion of the President, delay would
be incompatIble with he honor and diguity Of
the republic, the President is hereby author
ized to employ such Force as be may deem
necessary to prevent the preparation Of such
outrsges, and to obtain just redress and salts
faction for the same, when peTpelrated; and It
shall be his duty to laV the facts Of each ease,
together with the reasons for bis action in the
premises, before Congress, at the earliest prae-
ticable moment, for such further action there
on as Congress may direct.
The power Of the United States is confessed
all over the world as being quite sufficient to
restrain oulfages Upon their hag, and TO redress
wrongs inflicted upon their citizens ard prop
erty. The real difficulty exists in the fact that
the executive authority is too limited 10 enable
the President to put in force the abundant ma
terial we are acknowledged to possess. In this
way, in the chief commercial ports Of the
world, Americans are told that their govern
ment is very good at home, bot is absolutely
pOwerless abroad.n This branch, In fact, Of
the executive functions is reserved 70 Congress.
The President, In other words, is armed with
plenary authority to embroil the nation In mis-
chief but when an active servire is required
of him to restrain aggression upon the rights
OF persons Of our citizens, that is a duty which
Congress, by the common law Of our admins
trstions, reserves TO Itself. The President may
do ever 90 much evil, but is forbidden to do any
good. Such we regard as the language Of ex-
listing laws on the subject.
We hold it to be the elearest policy in the
world that the strsngth of the nation, in case
Of wsnton aggression upon our flag, sheuld be
put in position 10 be exercised to an extent
necessary to vindicate the honor and dignity Of
the republic.
The bill proposed BY the distinguished Ssns-
tor from Illinois is a measure OF the greatest
Importance to the country. If It becomes
law, it will simply arm the executive with au
tho-ity to protect the flag and citizens Of t. .
United States. We have no idea that this
has been introduced into the Senate
with any special reference to the alleged out.
rsges which have recently been peTpetrat
upon the merchant vessels of the Uuited Ststes
in the West Indies, or, indeed, with referen,e
10 any special case or cases of kindred nature
elsewhere, nor is it at all probable that such
authority thus conferred upon the President
would in any manner tend to enbroil the coun-
Try in difficulties with any nation. As we see
.he proposition, it is eminently peace meas
lre-Tendering an efficient administration Of
the government possible at least, and by the
known existence and concentration OF the
power in the hands Of the President, restrain
ing the aggressoT against acts of outrage
against our flag Washington Union.