The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1864-04-08
Administration Outrages.

AQmifiiST T6tiOl SuL dASSs
We frequently hear the opinion expressed
that the people are very different in regard to all
the outrages on personal rights perpstrated BY
this administration-th they are more so in
fact than even the people of France or England
would be under ike circumstances. This seems
TO be the case Why is it sol Is it because they
are really in favor Of the usurpers and tyrsnts
at Washington carrying on this war at any price!
Is it because they really have no sympathy with
those who stand up for their ancient rights un-
der the constitution or because they fear the mail
ed hand of Federal power7 Is it because Of
their hope in the ballot box. Or is it because
they have lost all virtue, and sunk into utter deg
radiation These questions may suggest some
of the reasons but without claiming that cur
assertions or arguments arc infallible, we ven
ture another reason still.
This country, Qhe north alone,) is larger in
extent of territory, in proportion TO its popala-
ton, than either England, France, Austria,
Prussia, or, perhaps, any other European Gov
ernment, except Russia. We believe that large
countries like large cities shelter criminals more
effectually than smaller ones, for the simple rea-
son that whatever the crime or outrage may be,
If it does not come under the immediate obser-
vation of the multitude it does not excite their
Indignation to such pitch as it would did they
see, with their own eyes, the actual outrages
committed. This being the case, great crimes
often 20 unpunished, because popular sentiment
does not demand the execution Of the laws and
the laws become dead letter in consequence.
If the entire population Of the north had been
crowded into space the size OF Pennsylvania
and New York and all the outrages Of this
administration had been committed upon them
that have been perpetratea in the various states
since this rebellion, there would have been an
uprising of the people in their own defence long
ago. This goes to show that large territory,
thinly populated, is much more easily led into
despotism than smaller ones thiekly populated.
AS proof IF this let US refer to the histories Of
ireland, Italy, Poland and Hungary, whose
struggles for liberty we have so recently seen.
II is true they were finally overcome-but nav
er conquered They still rise again and again.
But there are yet stronger proofs than those
already advanced.-The Oldest republics OF Ell
ther ancient or modern times were those small
est in extent of territory, in proportion to their
population. Let Us instance Athens and Spar
IL in ancient times; and the Swiss Cantons, and
the apparently insignificant Republic Of Andor-
ra on the confines OF Spain and Portugal. On
Ghe other hand the most despote governments
on the face of the earth, are those Of the largest
extent of territory for the simple reason that
difference in the interests Of localities made the
weaker sab.nit to the more powerful sections,
under the same government. The greatest Des-
potism in Asia to-day is China, the greatest in
Europe is Russia and under the policy of the
present administration ii is not hard to see which
Will be greatest on this continent-it 1t is not
so alreadv. We assert then that the American
people do not submit tamely to these usurpations
for the reasons most commonly given alone.
Suppose that our own little mountain county
was peopled with four times its present number,
and that our most prominent and most patriotic
men were taken away by force IN such man
ner as thousands have been from other places
by Lincoln's mnions. Would she not rise small
% she is in extent and with mountain rihemen
assert the rights for which Tell fought among
tbe mountains OF Switzerland where those prin-
Siples still live, while they lie buried here nor
in tbs tomb Of Washington? No. The people
Of America are not more different than those
OF other countries where they the actual oc-
eurrepce Of atrocities But, unfortunately,
there are too few who see and too many who
only Isar and do not believe. The time will
come yet when this administration, presuming
500 far, win spring mine beneath their feet that
VIII swallow them mp.