Can someone please tell me what this quote means, I am having trouble understanding.
“When Andrew Johnson took upon himself the duties of his high office he swore to obey the Constitution and take care that the laws be faithfully executed. That, indeed, is and has always been the chief duty of the President of the United States. The duties of legislation and adjudicating [making a judgment on] the laws of his country fall in no way to his lot. To obey the commands of sovereign power of the nation, and to see that others should obey them, was his whole duty—a duty which he could not escape, and any attempt to do so would be in direct violation of his official oath…”
also before anyone asks; yes I go to connections academy and No I don't want the answer.
Andrew Johnson, as all other presidents, swore to obey the Constitution and make sure that all laws were followed. It's not the president's job to judge these laws. He just should see that others obey them.
What do you not understand? The powers of the Presidency are spelled out in the Constitution. He/she shall faithfully execute the laws of the nation and see to it they are executed by the government. The executive cannot make law nor adjudicate it. Andrew Johnson was accused of not following the law as enacted by Congress, thus this reminder as to the President's role and function.
@Ms. Sue
Thanks! That helped a lot.
You're welcome, Johnny.
The quote is discussing the duties and responsibilities of the President of the United States, particularly in relation to the Constitution and laws of the country.
To understand the quote, let's break it down and explain it step by step:
1. "When Andrew Johnson took upon himself the duties of his high office he swore to obey the Constitution and take care that the laws be faithfully executed."
This means that when Andrew Johnson became President, he took an oath to follow and uphold the Constitution. He also made a promise to ensure that the laws of the country are enforced properly.
2. "That, indeed, is and has always been the chief duty of the President of the United States."
The main duty of the President, both historically and at the time this quote was written, is to obey the Constitution and faithfully execute the laws.
3. "The duties of legislation and adjudicating [making a judgment on] the laws of his country fall in no way to his lot."
The quote explains that the President's responsibilities do not include making laws or deciding how they should be interpreted (adjudicating). These tasks are the responsibility of the legislative branch (Congress) and the judicial branch (Supreme Court) respectively.
4. "To obey the commands of sovereign power of the nation, and to see that others should obey them, was his whole duty—a duty which he could not escape, and any attempt to do so would be in direct violation of his official oath…"
This part emphasizes that it is the President's duty to obey the commands of the government, which represent the sovereign power of the nation. The President is also responsible for ensuring that others follow these commands. It states that the President cannot escape these duties, and any attempt to do so would be a direct violation of the oath of office.
Overall, this quote highlights the importance of the President's role in upholding the Constitution, faithfully executing laws, and ensuring compliance with the commands of the government. It clarifies that the President's duties are distinct from those of making laws and interpreting them, which are the responsibilities of other branches of government.