Essay on Presidential Power in a National Crisis - 1211 Words

Presidential Power in a National Crisis Presidents of the United States take an oath to uphold the Constitution. In times of crisis, however, presidents are tempted to circumvent the spirit of the Constitution in the name of political expediency. The president of the United States of America is frequently under pressure, which could be for something as simple as dealing with his wife (especially if shes running for the US Senate), but usually the problem is more extensive. Then, the whole nation is affected, and the problem becomes a national crisis. A widespread panic is possible. The president must propose a plan to aid his nation while keeping the public under control. Lincoln. Roosevelt and Truman proposed bills to stop or prevent†¦show more content†¦The writ is a fundamental cornerstone of due legal process and can only be disregarded in times of civil emergency. The general didnt want to go to court and sent staff Colonel Lee with John Merryman. Lee appeared before Judge Taney and stated that the general w as busy with other matters (Sandburg 247). The colonel read a statement from Gen. Cadwalader asserting: John Merryman was charged with treason and was known for holding a commission as a lieutenant in a company in their possession armed hostility against the government (Sandburg 247). The generals statement added the president would also authorize a suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. President Lincoln sent word to Chief Justice Taney, explaining that it was his duty to authorize the commanding generals suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in the name of public safety (Sandburg 247). Congress resumed on August 6th, while Lincoln was making the final measures of his plan (Sandburg 247). The North and South were in a mammoth argument concerning the arrests of southern civil leaders. Without the writ of habeas corpus, there was no need to tell the south why the civil leaders were being held in custody. The war was now ready to begin, and the north and south would eventually be reunited. We can thank Lincoln for provoking the conflict. The suspension of the writ of habeas corpus was wrong and somewhat against the constitution.Show MoreRelatedResolutions For Amending The Constitution On Election Of The President1263 Words   |  6 Pagesand counterattacks. Personal insults. Outrageous newspaper invective. Dire predictions of warfare and national collapse. Innovative new forms of politicking capitalizing on a growing technology. As much as this seems to describe our present-day presidential contests, it actually describes an election more than two hundred years past. The presidential election of 1800 was an angry, dirty, crisis-ridden contest that seemed to threaten the nation’s very survival. A bitter partisan battle between FederalistRead MoreThe American Foreign Policy During The Vietnam War1016 Words   |  5 PagesArmy, was killed in action at the age of 27. 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