River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1891-01-15

first enacts. the second expounds, the
third executes. and the result of that
triple supremacy is not chaos. but
harmony and power. If the existing
laws were now only sufficiently en-.
forced most of the evils against
which new legislation is demanded,
would largely disappear.
1.-The mighty hand of executive
power was created to protect and de-
fend the people and their institutions
against the assaults of foes within, as
well as against the attacks of enemies
without. Let it no longer neglect its
duty. On the same table where waits
the pen of the Chief Magistrate, rests
also the sword of the COMMANDMENTS
Chief. If evil doors heed not the ex-
ecutive order and proclamation, the
Constitution intends that they shall
feel the sharper argument of arms.
The Constitution knows nothing of
crime and disorder, defiant and unsub-
dued. 1t places at the disposal of the
Commander-in-C Chief all the civil and
military forces of the government,
and requires him to execute the laws,
and maintain peace. There are no
conditions; there is no alternative.
The LAWS MUST BE oBEYED.
The mode in which the laws shall
be enforced is not prescribed. That
is wisely left to the good judgment
and discretion of the executive, and
may vary according to the exigencies
of the particular occasion. The con-
stitution grants power, and demands
result has no real right to hold the
power. Executive Office is no place
for timidity and INDIGESTION. Alike in
monarchy and republic, but more es-
pecially in the latter, the safety and
peace of the people depend on The in
tegrity, the wisdom, the strength, and
the activity of the executive power.
In the suppression of riot and disorder
and the prevention of crime it may be
necessary to destroy property, and
even to take human life; and the peo-
pie have made their chief magistrate
the judge of that necessity, and have
given him authority to execute the
laws, ''peaceably if he can, forcibly if
he must 1t is serious thing to
destroy property; it is dreadful thing
to take human life; and the just ex.
ecutive will make the utmost effort,
by warning, appeal, and command, to
secure the supremacy of the laws
without injury to either; but if riot
and crime will not heed his warning,
appeal and command, he must meet
the emergency according to his oath
of office, and those who willfully resist
the law must fall.
ITO take care that the laws be faith
fully executed, is diligently to observe
and inquire whether they are obeyed;
and in case any violation of law ap-
pears or is discovered, to admOnish
the offenders to cease their disObedi-
ence; and if the offense be serious, to
law. breakers for punishment in due
course of law; and if in other cases the
preliminary warning is not promptly
followed by compliance, to apply,
without needless delay, such force as
may be necessary to secure obedience
of the laws, and in case the wrong
committed can be undone, to compel
its prompt undoing, and IL a repetition
of the offense be attempted or threat
ened, to interpose the necessary means
of prevention. To preserve the peace,
to maintain order, to protect the peo-
ple-these are the purposes for which
the laws should be faithfully execu-
ted.
at is an impressive truth that just
in proportion as the executive au-
thority is alert, active and deter
mined, will its moral power be found
adequate, without a resort to physical
force. There will be little resistance
to law, when it is known that the law
is equally able and ready to protect
the faithful, and to punish the re-
fractory.
1.-The principle of executive author
ity is essentially the same in family,
school and state. INSTRUMENTATION is
fatal to peace, to prosperity, to happi-
ness.
1.-The claim that because consldera-
bic number of persons in particular
locality are opposed to particular
law, it cannot, or should not be en-
forced, is too imbecile for serious dis
cussion. If the laws are defective,
amend them; if oppressive, repeal
them; but while they stand, enforce
them. Only this, is rational govern
ment.
1T is, therefore, high and impera-
tive duty to ekalt the regal principle
of human government in the affec-
tions of the people; to lead them to
revere and study its majestic nature
and lofty duties: and TO encourage
them to support with all their power
those executive officers upon whose
courage and fidelity they must ever
depend for protection and defense.
However perfect may be the laws, and
the judicial decisions that expound
them, the people cannot enjoy the
blessings of reign of law and order
without a faithful and efficient exer-
else of the EXECUTIVE POWER.
1.-The American Republic is not the
absence of government. 1t aims to be
the very perfection of government. In
the name and by the authority of THE
PEOPLE, it exercises sovereignty, enacts
and enforces law, maintains its indie
pendence among the nations of the
earth; makes war anu establishes
peace. Thus august, supreme and ir-
resistible is the regal principle in free
government, and upon its vigor, &C