Japan became dependent on china to fight off the mongols. They had a tributary relationship
Do you know the context?
I suppose the quotation is stressing that the writer has put a lot of effort into getting their argument/grievances heard by the parliament, and that said parliament is 'tyrannical', implying that it rules without concern for the people or accountability to them. It seems that the quote may be a way of justifying some later action, essentially saying; 'we've tried and failed to do this in the proper way, so now we must be more forceful'.
The Whig party broke up as a consequence of the compromise of 1850.
