How should the government answer an armed insurrection against a federal tax?

OCR: 2 cited passage(s) are machine-read (OCR) text of old printings; quotations reproduce the stored OCR text, misreadings included.

1. WHAT HE SAID (the record)

Record ledger

• ACTION (1792-09-15): George Washington issued a proclamation on September 15, 1792, urging all persons to desist from obstructing the laws and requiring courts, magistrates, and officers to use their legal powers to bring infractors to justice and secure obedience to the laws. The proclamation emphasizes the need to prevent violent proceedings and to uphold the authority of the government. (key quote above) [1]
• ACTION (undated): George Washington issued a proclamation concerning the western insurrection, calling for the militia to be embodied to enforce the laws and suppress the insurrection. The proclamation shows that he believed the government should respond to an armed insurrection against a federal tax with decisive action to enforce the law and uphold the authority of the Union. (key quote above) [2]
• ACTION (undated): George Washington issued a proclamation warning insurgents in western Pennsylvania to desist from their opposition to the laws. The passage shows that he took a firm stance against the armed insurrection by condemning their actions and calling for compliance with the laws. "PROCLAMATION WARNING THE INSURGENTS IN THE WESTERN PARTS OF PENNSYLVANIA TO DESIST FROM THEIR OPPOSITION TO THE LAWS." [3]
• ACTION (undated): George Washington issued a proclamation declaring the use of military force to suppress the Western Insurrection, which was an armed resistance against a federal tax. The proclamation emphasized obedience to the Constitution and the need to reduce the refractory to subordination to the laws. (key quote above) [4]
• ACTION (undated): George Washington issued a proclamation warning insurgents in western Pennsylvania to disperse and cease their opposition to federal laws. This action was based on a legal provision allowing the President to call forth the militia to suppress such combinations and enforce the laws of the Union. "And whereas, by a law of the United States... it shall be lawful for the President of the United States to call forth the militia of such State to suppress such combinations, and to cause the laws to be duly executed;" [5]
• ACTION (1794-11-19): George Washington announced to Congress that during their recess, some citizens had engaged in an insurrection, and he emphasized the need to address it in light of the government's stability and the enforcement of laws. He described the insurrection as a threat to order and the execution of laws, which implies a call for decisive government action. "It is due, however, to the character of our government, and to its stability, which cannot be shaken by the enemies of order, freely to unfold the course of this event." [6]
• ACTION (1794-11-19): George Washington approved the use of federal military force to suppress an armed insurrection against a federal tax, as he was called upon to address the situation in Pennsylvania where laws were obstructed by combinations too powerful for judicial proceedings. He weighed the crisis and took action to enforce the will of the majority as required by the Constitution. "On this call, momentous in the extreme, I sought and weighed, what might best subdue the crisis." [7]
• BELIEF (undated): George Washington believed that the people's opposition was not just to the excise law, but to all law and government, and to the officers of government. He expressed this belief based on the information he received from Mr. Findley. "That it was not merely the excise law their opposition was aimed at, but to all law, and Government; — and to the Officers of Government;" [8]

What cuts against it

• ACTION (1780-05-08): George Washington directed General Huntington to investigate an affair and promised to support magistrates, but this was in the context of Revolutionary War-era civil-military tensions, not a direct federal tax insurrection. "I shall not countenance any infringement of the rights of the civil authority; but shall be always ready to support the Magistrates in the execution of their duty and suppress all attempts to counteract them." [9]

• ACTION (undated): George Washington ordered the militia to be called forth to suppress the Western Insurrection, but this was after a failed attempt at conciliation. The record does not show a preference for nonviolent resolution in the face of armed resistance. "I sought and weighed, what might best subdue the crisis." [7]

• BELIEF (undated): George Washington believed the opposition was to all law and government, but this belief may have justified a harsher response than necessary. "That it was not merely the excise law their opposition was aimed at, but to all law, and Government; — and to the Officers of Government;" [8]

2. HOW IT APPLIES (reasoning; inference is marked)

1. George Washington believed that the government must enforce the laws, even in the face of armed resistance. (key quote above) [1]

2. He viewed the insurrection in western Pennsylvania as a serious threat to the Constitution and the Union. (key quote above) [2]

3. Washington took decisive action by calling forth the militia to suppress the insurrection, emphasizing obedience to the Constitution. (key quote above) [4]

4. He justified this action as necessary to uphold the will of the majority and the stability of the government. "On this call, momentous in the extreme, I sought and weighed, what might best subdue the crisis." [7]

5. The record suggests that Washington prioritized the enforcement of federal law over conciliation, especially when violence and treason were involved. *Inference*

3. HIS TAKE

Record coverage: DIRECT

The record shows George Washington directly addressing the question of how the government should respond to an armed insurrection against a federal tax. He believed the government must enforce the laws through decisive action, including the use of military force if necessary.

Extrapolation: Washington would support a firm and lawful government response to armed insurrection, including the use of the militia to suppress violence and enforce the law. He emphasized the importance of obedience to the Constitution and the need to uphold the will of the majority.

Competing readings: One reading is that Washington prioritized the rule of law and the stability of the government, as shown in his actions and proclamations. Another is that his response may have been overly harsh, given his belief that the opposition was to all law and government. The record supports both readings.

Confidence: High, based on multiple direct actions and statements from Washington regarding the enforcement of federal law and the suppression of insurrection.