Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-01-27

same law Of selfshness which has ever
governed every privileged class. When
the jewellers OF Ephesus saw that Chrstiani-
ty would abolish the worship Of idols, they
cried out, great is Diana ofthe Ephesians;'
fand similar has been the language Of
every privileged class from that day TO this;
and hence, if a word be said against the
monopoly of manufacturing and banking,
these privileged classes exclaim, smagnif-
cent are the results Of tariffs, great and
glorious TO all the people is the science of
banking When look around me and
behold how labor is continually plundered
Of its reward, how it endures not only the
direct and necessary taxation levied by
government, but the unnecessary and yet
more burdensome taxation of tariffs and
banks, besides taxation from other sources
ofspecial legislation, am astonished at the
magnitude Of its resources, its ability of
endurance, and its exhaustless patience.
As party, then, seeking the amelioration
Of humanity, and opposed to every species
Of injustice and oppression, it becomes our
solemn duty to wage unceasing warfare
against all special legislation, and against
every measure which tends to rob labor
OF its just reward. Classic story tells us
that the wrathful gods once chained the
rebellions Prometheus to rock in mount
Caucasus, and sent ravenous vulture
continually to prey upon his heart, which,
ever as it was devoured, was quick renewed
again. But Hercules happening that way,
was moved by the agonies Of the victim,
and relieved him from his horrible torments.
( In the organization of modern society, labor
is the Prometheus, and the privileged
classes Of special legislation are the vulture
which feeds upon its ever growing heart
but democracy comes, and like a gooc
Hercules, drives away the cormerant bird
strikes the fetters from the limbs of labor
and says to the oppressed, go free! Such
is the Office which democracy wouldperform
for wronged and plundered labor. And
who will not join in this glorious work
Who that-has heart alive 10 the higher
and nobler impulses OF our nature, whose
affections are capable of expanding beyond
the narrow confines of mean and sordit
selfshness, who that has proper regart
for the dignity of human nature, and tht
welfare Of humanity, will hesitate wher
. such lofty considerations beckon him on
f ward J. ..-... aa...
, A striking contrast between democracy
and its antagonist principle of whigism, il
exhibited in this, that while whigism beget
and cherishes spirit Of avarice, and a sub
: servient regard for mere wealth, democra
Icy teaches and promulgates doctrine il
q all respects the opposite of this. 1t teach
I es that man, with his immortal spirit, hi
Q indotnitable energies, has been stamped, b
q his Creator, with all the evidences Of ST
f peror nature, and that his Intellectual an
+ moral cultivation are objects of higher in
n port than bank and tariff dividends, or tn
). price Of stocks. LISA part of our fait
s and creed, that, as man is gifted with fac
!. ulties capable of an indefinite degree {
q improvement SO is he capable Of an indie
/. mite moral progress, and it is among tn
a highest efforts and aims of true democrac
>. to give direction and impetus TO this pros
ii ress. Those who advocate a contrary do'
:. trine, affect to sneer at the idea of huma
to progress, and speak in terms of derision {
m the progressive democracy But it q
" one Of the effects of shallow philosoph
nj to put itself to shame. II, then, man is ii
,a capable Of progress, it follows as cons
ic auence, that he has either remained station
n, ary or he has retrograded. No man, ho,
rs ever, who has any acquaintance with II
"a history of the past, or has allowed himse
ed even the narrowest scope of observatio
lit for even brief period of, existence CT
be subscribe to the truth Of either Of the latt
nd propositions. Any effort at the refutatit
,al Of such an absurdity would be work
70. supererogation. We therefore leave whi
al ism to enjoy all the glory of its own stuE
al philosophy all the trophies of its own
ial nate egotism. We are content to behe
he in human progress. Even if it be a de-
,ot sion, one could hardly wish its Elysi
,b. beauties dspelled. But it is no delusie
ze The history Of our race since the frstda
he. Of creation attests to the soundness q
IN. truthfulness Of our position. There is
sry planted in the human heart longing at
the what is great, and good, and excellent.
% the deep shades and silent watches of
a. night, and often in the busy haunts o
ose bustle Of everyday life. who has not
Dor the inward workings Of his spirit, as if
lust were reaching out from its earthly pris
her house after what is purer, and better, {
this more beautiful! Who has not felt thatth
ng, is more glorious destiny for our y
nu. than any yet realizeda Where the pc
} of distinctions which now ennbitter cur 500
!. - intercourse and chafe the proud spirit,sl
we be lost in an exalted respect for the digr
ern. liof human nature and the brilliant excel
for cies Of the human mind and charac
the When man shall learn properly TO
nta. mate himself--when the stern behest 81
the 70 forth from the laboring millions,