Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-09-06


~We quote from the letter ofthe Hon.
Seth Whitmarsb, of Mass. in re.iv to the
invitation 10 attend to a Van BuTen Dis
union meeting at Taunton, as fellows:
SeeEonk, July 26, lS4S.
Gentlemen-Yo our favor of tie 22d inst,
came to hand this day, by which am in
formed that you have been appointed at
democratic meeting held at Taunton on the
2lst inst, committee of arrangements for
the mass meeting of the democratic citizens
of Bristol ssunty and all others who are
advocates of free soil and free labor upon it
in all the territories cf the United States, to
be held at Taunton, on Saturday 29th inst,
at 10 o'clock, A. M. and that you have in
pursuance of this object invited me to at
tend aad address the convention in favor of
those great principles.
l must have been in sleepy hollow, or
the democrats have suddenly changed, it is
truly something new to me for federal aid to
be called in to act with democrats political
ly, for federalists are doubtless embraced in
the invitation to all others; it is equally
new to me, on the eve of presidential
election, to see democrats abandon all but
one of their principles in the canvass, and
call in the aid of Mexican wings, who have
treacherously afforded aid and comfort to
the enemies of cur country when at war, to
defeat the democratic party, so that the
man Of no principles may be elected.
If judge by these indications and other
ike opera tons elsewhere, the object of the
meeting must be to favor the nomination and
election of MIR. Van Buren for the Presiden-
cy.
extremely regret that in old Bristol,
which has heretofore presented a front that
has held at bay old federalism, there should
bs found democrats who will join the bitter
enemies of democracy to pull down that
pillar Of democratic strength, strict adher-
ence to regular nominations made by dele
gates in convention appointed by the people,
under which the democracy have secured
the ascendency in the nation, and the coun-
try has grown great and prosperous, be-
yond example. The nomination of the en-
inent statesman and thorough democrat,
LEWIS CASS, for President, and the ac-
eomplished gentleman, the talented and un-
Hincing democrat, WILLIAM o. BUT
LER, for Vice President, (Butler, who has
made himself conspicuous in life and estab-
lished an enduring fame,) should give sat
isfacton to all but Mexican wings, who will
naturally oppose them both for their valor
in the field against the brethren of wings,
the British and the Mexicans.
Perhaps the answer to this may be that
Mr.. Cass will leave the people of the terri
tories to settle the question of slavery for
themselves, and that Mr.. Van Buren, will
prohibit by his veto its extension-but the
ssaH others" cannot brook the veto: but will
Mr. Van Buren exercise his power? Doubt
less he will in the same manner he said he
would in case of prohibiting slavery in the
District of Columbia, which be would do
by the assent of all the slave states, and he
puts the authority Of congress in the terrific
ries on the same ground as in the District
of Columbia, and, probably, in regard to
the territories, would have the same prsviso.
cannot lend my feeble influence to aid
in dividing the democratic party, and to
promote the unholy object of old federalism
with its coon skins and hard cider, in at
tanning power that they may tear down the
fair temple of freedom erected By our fathers
and cemented with their blood, for such is
and always has been the object of old feder-
alism from the days of Hamilton to this
time the oppression of the masses and the
exaltation OF the few is their great object;
this new born sympathy of theirs for the
slave, contrasts strangely with their conduct
some few years since when they hoped Mr..
Clay might be inducted into the Presiden-
tial chair and would need Southern votes.
Slavery in all its forms I consider great
evii-its extension most sincerely depre-
cate; but will not take course to pre-
vent its extension which shall bring ruin on
my country, and subject the white laboring
man Of the north to a slavery more out
rageous than that of the southern slave, |
which would be the result of hard cider fed
eral nomination. Old Massachusetts,, cov-
cred with federal souless corporations, ex-
hibits in glowing colors tile effect of such
legislation, and the cause of corporations,
which deny the right of their deferdent to
vote but as they dictate. To the old plat
form of sustaining regular nominations
most firmly adhere, where they are made
with fairness, as were those of CASS and
BUTLER, patriots and tried democrats, |
whom have no doubt, will be elected tri-
umphantly-log cabins and the Buffalo
convention, with all their usual aids to the
eontrary, notwithstanding.
/ nm gentlemen, respectfully yours,
SETH WHITkfARSH