Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-02-26
Enforcement Of Law.

The following are the closing portions
of the annual address by President Borney
OF the National Law and Order League at
Pittsbnrg, Penn, in November last.
The commanding need of our time is
for executive officers who understand and
will exercise the executive power. The
laws do, indeed, need improvement, and
judicial proceedings, reform, but not as
urgently as existing laws need better en-
forcement. In his most exalted character
of dignity and power, the supreme execu-
tive i called chief magistrate. In that
character he organizes the administration
of his department of the government, under
appropriate orders, rules aud regulations.
and carries into effect with promptitude
and efficiency. that great body Of the law 5
which do not require any judicial irterpre-
tation or decision. but only executive di-
recton and application This is govern
mcnt The legislative department acts by
statute; the Judicial by Judgment, and the
executive hv proclamation aud order, and
each in It's province i supreme. The
first euacts the second compounds the thild
executes. aud the result Of that triple
supremacy is not chaos, but harmony and
power.
The mighty hand of executive power
Wa created to protect aud defend the
people aud their institutions against the
assaults of foes within, as we'll as against
the attacks of enemies without
The Constitution knows nothing of
crime and disorder, defiant and un-
subdued. II places at the disposal of
the Commandcr-in-C Chief all the civil and
military forces of the government, and
requires him to execute the law. aud main
tain peace. There are no conditions there
i no alternative. The LAW MUST HE
4 oBEYEp.
The mode in which the law shall be
enforced is not prescribed. That j. Wisely
left to the good Judgment and discretion
Of the executive. and may vary according
10 the eXigcuCies of the occasion. The
constitution grants'power, and demand, u
result; but he who cannot give Il result has
no real right to hold the power. Execu-
1--WE office i no place for timidity and
inleei>ion Alike IN monarchy aud in
republic, but more especially in the lat
ter. the safety and peace of the people
depend on the integrity. the wisdom,
the strength and the activity of the execu-
tive powers. In the suppression Of riot
and disorder. aud the prevention Of crime
1t may be necessary to destroy property,
and even tu take human life: and the pco-
Pile have made their chief magistrate the
Judge of that necessity, and have given
him snthority to the laws. peaceably If
he can, forcihly if he must 1t is Sc
ron, thing 10 destroy property it is a
dreadful thing to take human life; and the
just executive will make the utmost efforts,
ny warning, appeal aud command to Sc
cure the supremacy of the law without in
jury to either, but if riot and crime will
not heed his warning, appeal and com
mand, he must meet the emergency ac-
cording to his oath of office. and those
who willfully resist the law must fall.
To take care that the laws be faithfully
executed" j. diligently to observe and in
quire whether they are obrycd, and in case
any violation Of law appears or is di-cov-
cred to aimonish the offenders to cease
their di>obedience; and If the otfense be
serious, to cause the arrest and detention
of the law breakers for punishment in due
course of law and If in other cases the
preliminary warning i not promptly fol.
lowed by compliance. to apply, with need
less delay, such force a. may be necessary
20 secure obedience of the Jaws. aud in
case the wrong committed can he undone
to compel its prompt undoing, and if a
repetition of the otitu~e be attempted or
threatened, to inttrpose the necessary
means Of prevention. To preserve the
peace, TO maintain order, to protect the
people these are the purposes for which
the laws should he faithfully executed.
1t is an impressive truth that just in
proportion as the executive authority is
alert, active and determined, will it, NOR
al power be found adequate, without a re-
sort to physical force There will he lit
tie resistance to law, when it is known
that the law is equally able and ready to
protect the faithful, and TO punish the re-
iractory.'
The principle of executive authority
j. essentially the same in family, school
and state. INSTRUMENTATION is fatal to
1 peace, to prosperity, to happiness"
The claim that because a considerable
number Of persons in particular locality
are opposed to particular law, it cannot
or should not be enforced. is too imhecie
for serious discussion. Ii the laws are
defective, amend them; if oppressive. re-
peal them; but while they stand, enforce
them. Only this, is rational government.
/ 1T is. therefore, a high and imperative
| duty to exalt the regal principle of human
I government in the affections of the people
Y to lead them to revere and study its ma
/ icstic nature and lofty duties, and to en-
| courage them to support with all their
power those executive officers upon whose
courage and fidelity they must ever depend
for protection and defence. However per
feet may be the laws and the judicial de-
cisiOns that expound them, the people can
not enj joy the blessings of a reign of law
! and order, without faithful and efficient
exercise of the executive power
The American Republic is not the alb
sence of government. 1t aims to be the
very perfection of government. In the
name and by the authority of the people, il
exercises sovereignty, enacts and enforces
law, maintains its independence among
the nations of the earth, makes war and
establishes peace. Thus august, supreme
and irresistible is the regal principle in
free government and upon its vigor, activ-
| ity and wisdom, depends the actual enjoy
ment of the rights and liberties of the peo-
pie"