Twelfth Legislature

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1872 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER II. The Oppressions Of The Present Administration Exposed. Under this head we purpose showing the manner in which the officers of the present administration, from the Governor down, have exercised the unconstitutional power vested in them by the Legislature of the State, and assumed the exercise of powers prohibited both by the Constitution and laws of the State. All candid men who carefully read and understand the laws must admit that the government under which we live, though in form, a Republic, is in truth a Despotism, moderated only by the wisdom, the sobriety, and the magnanimity of the despot; and we will let the facts establish how moderate, how wise, how sober, and how magnanimous the despot has shown himself to be. The whole State is divided into military districts, and each district is placed under the command of an officer appointed by the Governor. The Governor is authorized to organize an army unlimited in number. He is enabled by what purports to be law, to supply this army, and to issue and sell the bonds of the State to provide the means for its support and maintainance. He holds the unsheathed sword and purse of the State, which are, to use his own language, the recognized right arm of despotism.--Every civil officer in the State is subject to his supervisory control and made subordinate to this military establishment. If this is not despotism, history is false, and no such thing ever existed but in name. Webster defines despotism to be absolute power; authority unlimited and uncontrolled by mere Constitution or laws, and depending alone on the will of the prince, as the despotism of a Turkish sultan. Pie defines a despot to be an emperor, king, or prince, (names are nothing) invested with absolute...