Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-02-21
cause it to be upheld, maintained nnd
efaciontly administered.

ef6oiently administered.
The constitution assigns particular
classes OF causes to tho 0riQinal iuris-
diction Of the Supreme Court, and other
courts are to exercise such powers and
duties az are or may be prescribed bv
Congress. Congress has not a. vet
found it necessary or expedient to con-
fer On the Circuit or other inferior
courts all the jurisdiction created or au-
thorized by the constitution, thus there
are many cases in which q summary
jurisdiction usually belonging to courts.
are provided for by general Law, but
some such cases ere provided for. Thus
BY act Of March 2, 1888, it ID declared
that the jurisdiction of the circuit
courts Of tho United States shall extend
to all cases in Law or equity arising IN
der the revenue laws of the United
States; and il any such person be injur
Cd in his person or property ON account
of any act by him done under any rev.
enue law Of the United States, he may
bring suit Immediately in the circuit
court of the United States; and il he be
sued in any State Court for such act, he
may cause such suit TO be Immediately
removed into tho Circait Court of the
United States; and II the State Court
refuses q copy of the record, that record
may be supplied by affidavit; and il the
defendant be under arrest or in custody,
he il to be brought by habeas corpus
before the Circuit Court of the United
States. Under the first part of these
provisions, writs of mandamus and in
junction may be issued and all other
writs and processes suitable to toe case;
and any Judge of any court of the Unit
ed States is authorized TO grant writs of
habeas corpus in all cases of prisoners
committed or confined for any act done
in pursuance of q Law of tho United
States, or Of any order, process or de-
cree of any court of the United States.
These provisions are all found in the
permanent sections of tho act of Con-
gress already referred to. The import
ancs and efficisncy of these provisions,
if events we're 70 arise by which Obstruc-
tions to the collection of revenue should
be attempted or threatened, are too OBJ
vious to require comment. The several
district attorneys Of the United States
will take especial care to inform them
selves of these enastments Of Law, and
be prepared TO cause them to be en-
forced in tho first and in every case
which may arise, justly calling for their
application.
Declarations merely theoretical or
resolutions only declaratory Of opinions,
from however high authority emanat-
ing. cannot properly be made the sub
ject Of legal or judicial proceedings.
They may be very incorporate, they
may be very exceptionable, they may
be very unconstitutional; but until
something shall be actually done or at
tempted, blundering or obstructing the
execution of the laws OF the United
States, or injurinR those employed in
their execution, the officers OF the gov
eminent will remain vigilant indeed
and prepared for events, but without
any positive exercise of authority. It is
most earnestly to be hoped that the re-
turning good sense OF the people in all
the States, and an increase OF harmony
and brotherly good will everywhere,
may prevent tho necessity OF resortinR
to the exercise of legal authority; it 10
to be hoped that all good citizens will
be much more inclined to reflect on the
value Of the Union and the benefits
which it has conferred upon all than to
speculate upon impracticab!e means for
its severance or it's dissolution. No
otAt6 1/cklSlSbuIo, - 30 OVAAoAsss 40 oOA4
petent 20 declare such severance or dis
solution-the people OF no State have
clothed their Legislature with any suoh
authority; any act. therefore, proclaim
ing such severance by Legislature
would bs nearly null and void, a. alto
Rether exceeding its constitutional pow
ers. No State was brought into the
Union by the Legislature thereof, and
No St.kH an ., ho mt ont Of thA V1nion nv
the Legislature thereof. Doubtless it is
to be admitted that revolution. foroibls
revolution, may produce disnember-
ment moro or less extensive; but there
il no power ON earth competent, by any
peaceable or recognized manner Of pro-
oeeding. to discharge the conscisnoes of
the citizens Of tho United States from
the duty Of supporting the constitution.
The government may be overthrown, or
the Union broken into fragments by
force of arms or force Of numbers, but
neither can Be done by any prescribed
form or peaceable existing authority.