The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-04-21
Atrocious Despotism.

There are some political acts Of an Adj
ministration which may be overlooked and
tolerated, because they arise from the Or
ganization and necessity Of parties. In
cases of that kind we are disposed to de.
nounce the incumbents for what is seldom
worthy of approval, as We desire to do no
injustice, and will not hold one party TO
any strickter accountability than another
But since the Administration at Washing
ton entered upon ITS reckless career of
sectionalsm. and addict aed all pretensions
to nationality, it has perpetrated some acts
which rise to the proportions Of heinous
offences. And these are by no means rare.
Two cases. which are low before US, will
serve to illustrate the practice and its NOR.
atty. Among the Northern Democratic
representatives who have stood firmly in
opposition to the Lecompton swindle, are
Messrs. McKibbin Of California, and PEN
deton of Ohio. Tho former is a native
of Pennsylvania, and his father holds the
Office Of naval agent in Philadelphia, to
which he was appointed on account Of his
own political influence, and not with re-
ference to his sons. Mr.. Pendleton, of
Ohio, is unfortunate enough to have a
brother-in-,aw holding an appointment in
Washington city at the gift of the Presi-
dent. We allude TO Mr.. Philip Barton
. Key. Throughout the whole of the Le-
compton controversy the Administration
has made unceasing attempts to in,imidate
these two fearless representatives, Pende.
ton and MeKibbin, Into voting for the
Kansas bill, against their own cherished
convictions of right and justice, by holding
suspended over the heads Of their relatives
threats of removal. 1t would not have
accomplished the object to thrust the
officials out promptly, and hence they have
been kept ip solely to influence the votes
referrel to, The frmness Of Messrs. PEN
dleton and McKibbin, under such circum-
stances, partakes somewhat OF Spartan
heroism. They werc expected to yield
on the first vote in the House, but
they stood fast. They stood fast on the
second vote also-that is, to ADHERE
Ell. Wotch.) They were then badgered
and beset to give way on the return of the
bill, but they stuck to the policy they had
begun with. They are now threatened
and coaxed for the next vote, and we know
not what will be the result, for poor hui
man nature il weak. But if there can be
any despotism more defled with the black
ness of barharism than this, We do moi
know it. We talk Of European tyrant
as if they were monsters in human shape
while there are many of them who would
shrink with disgust from the preparation
Of an act like this. The power Of the FIX
ecutivo In our government, always exor
bitantly great, has now been stretched Il
an extent which is subversive Of all tru'
Republicansm, and can lead to nothin:
but absolute despotism. The Admnistra
ton has sought, and 10 still seeking. daI
by day, to fetter the action Of the people,
represen tatives to deprive them Of tn
freedom Of collaboration 20 persecpt
members who do not favor its oelique de
signs to centralze al. power, in fact, II
the cabinet. and reduce the legislative do
partment to mere nullity. And this !
called democracy Itmay be styled any
thing, but it travels the sure highway t
tyranny, and can only bring up there
Ph,iadsiphia Gasstts.