Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1890-05-03

ENFORCING THE LAW.

decision of the Supreme Court OF
the United States relative to the
NEAGI e case.
This settled the right of United
States officials to have protection
afforded them in the discharge OF
their duties, as well as gave them
immunity from trial or punishment
by state courts for any breach of a
state law in discharging said duty.
President HARRISON has caught
the inspiration and proceeds at
once to call the attention of the |
Attorney General to the necessity |
of upholding the laws. Here is
his letter.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Apr. "a, 90.
To the Attorney General.
Sir,-I have had frequent occasions |
during the last six months % confer |
with you in reference to distractions
offered in the counties of Leon, @ Ids |
den, Madison and Jefferson, in the state
OF Florida, to the execution Of processes
OF the courts of the United States. 1t
Is not necessary to say more OF the
situation than that the officers of the
United States are not suffered freely to
exercise their lawful functions. This
condition OF things cannot be longer
tolerated. You will therefore instruct
United States Marshal Weeks, as soon
as he has qualified, to proceed at once
TO execute such writs of arrests as nay
be placed In his hand. III he appre-
hends resistance he will employ such
civil posse as may seem adequate to dis
charge the resistance or overcome it.
He should proceed with the calmness
aud moderation which should always
attend public OH GER in the execution
of his duty and at the same time with
the irmness and courage that will
impress the lAwless with wholesome
sense OF danger and the fuulity of resis
lance. You will assure the officers OF
the law and those who have ioolishly
and wickedly thought TO set the law at
defiance that every resource lodged
with the Executive by the Consti ution
and laws will, as necessity arise, be
employed TO NAL it safe aud feasible
to hold a Federal commission and to
execute the duty it imposes.
Very respectfully,
BENJAMIN HARRISON.
That language cannot be mis-.
taken. He has before intimated
that in the event of a failure to
respect the authority of the United
States, martial law would be pro
claimed.
In this position the President is
ably seconded by the Attorney
General. He writes:
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, Apr. &c.
Robert j. Weeks, United States Ma
shall, Jacksonville, Fla:
Sir,-You have doubtless ere thi
received your commission as United
States Marshal for the Northern els
trict of Florida. For several month";
past it has been reported that in certain
counties in your district warrants o
arrest issued by United States court
have not been executed because o
resistance, actual and threatened, b,
those sought TO be arrested and thei
partisans. This state of things canno
and will not be longer tolerated 4
letter from the President, OF which
enclose copy, speaks for Itself Yo
will at once proceed upon the lines lad
Gated III that letter and will rtpOr
promptly any attempt TO interfere wit
you In the discharge of your duties
am informed that recently in som
place Marshal seeking TO serve writ
in ordinary civil cases has bee
refused ordinary accommodation
such as horse hire, hotel entes tainmenl
etc., to enable such services 10 b pc
formed By such means Ulcers of Ia
Government can be put TO great inco
venience, but they cannot and will nc
be prevented from executing process
of court. Means can and Will be foun
for-transpOrLing and sustaining Cover
ment officers wherever it is necessary 70
them to go in order TO arrest and brin
into court offenders against the law.
Very respectfully,
w. II. II. Nil LER,
Attorney General.
That letter has the right rims
Let them enforce the laws. LIE
them ferret out and punish tn
murderers of ex-M arshal Mizell'
deputy. Let them be tried, col
victed and hanged dead by thei
necks and Iyneh-las0 will go.
But the same law that allow
the Government to protect it's of
Gals clothes 1t with power [
protect it's citizens. The outrage
praticed upon colored men can
stopped snd the perpetrators puI
ished. We are pleased to note tn
fact that the country is awakenin,
Let President HARRISON carr
out the laws with a firm hand an
Lynch-ldso will go and the ascend
ency of the Democratic Party
this country with it.