Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-10-04
Col, Weller. the Democratic nou;n.e 70

ting, by a scounty committee of the Nation
al Reformers of Steubenvilleg Jefferson ceun-
ty, and gave his answer from the stand, in
a public speech before large assembage
of the people. and assen.ed to all Of the re-
form measures; to wit: in favor Of the gov
eminent ceasing. to sell the public land,-in
favor of laying them out in l60 acre lots
for the free and exclusive use of actual set
ltlers-also in favor of the exemption of a
homestead from any future debt or liability !;
and avowed his readiness to pledge himself
in writing to use his influence, whether in
or out of Office, to procure the adoption of
said measures. At Columbus also, he
pledged himselfto the same measures to the
satisfaction cf the Reformers there, and
it is probable that he has ere now SO stated
in letter to the state committee Ct Nation
al Reformers at Cincinnati who were about
to question him..
Gen. Cass, in his letter to the President
of the Baltimore Convention, accepting
their nomination, and endorsing the demo-
cratic National Platform, says: sAs party
we should not mistake the signs of the times !;
but should bear in mind, that this is an age
of Progress-of advancement in all the ele-
ments Of intellectual power and in the opin-
ions of the world and further: II the gov
ernment is stationary in its principles OF &C
ton, and refuses to accommodate its meas
ures, within its constitutional sphere cau-
tiously indeed, but wisely and cheerfully-
TO the advancing sentiments and necessities
Of the age, it will find its moral course i'm
paired, and the public will determine to do,
what the public authority should readily
do, when the indications of popular seuti-
ment are clear aud clearly expressed
So it may be seen, General Cass is ready
to second public opinion for all reforms.
Public opinion is becoming every week
more clearly expressed on this subject, and
the democratic party is the one to progress
with public opinion - no faster, for it is the
people speaking through their agents that
make laws, for Republic. In d:spot-
ism it is otherwise. Michigan, democratic
Michigan, was the first northern State to
adopt homestead exemption law, excepting a
homestead of liberal dimensions; and demo-
cratic Wisconsin was the first TO follow her
lead. l here notice these signs Of the times to
convince my National Reform friends, that,
fthey would have their measures speedily
adopted and made the settled policy Of the
country, they should unite with the great
party of progress, and urge the considera-
ton Of their reforms before the people, and
their adoption is certain. Here we have &
party, a reform party, ready formed, arc
organized in full strength, while it woule
take long series of years to form a new
party and wait for it to arrive to manhood
in strength; you have been long trying it.
and progress some what tardily, while I, a
reforner, standing alone on that question in
Ohio, not seven years ago, have the satisfac-
ton now of seeing land reform becoming
almost a cardinal measure of the democratic
party, to the notice of which have constant
ly at all proper times urged the considera-
| ton of these important reforms. And now,
let me ask my reform friends, what possible
benefit can it be for you to advocate the
election of Martin Van Buren or Gerritt
Smith for President? you know that nei-
ther one of them can get the election; and
the votes of reformers, if they could be cast
for Cass, would ensure his election, if it is
not already sure-which think it is. AT
all events, union Of reformers on the sue
cessful candidates, would give our cause a
new and powerful impulse, that scattered
vote could not give.
Iwould say, discard then your pledge,
which has ever been in the way Ct your
progress; for it compels you to vote for
those you have no prospect of electing. when
YOU might elect the least exceptionable Of
two, neither of whom are perhaps perfect
according to your opinions of perfection; /;
though one is coed man, and true to the
best interestr of the country. And Gen.
Cass's position in regard to slavery is al
together the best. All the officers and SOL
diers who have visited New Mexico and
California, and I beliexe all who write from
those territories, together with editors of
papers published in California argue, that
those territories are now free from the cause
of slavery, and must remain SO, unless it is
forced on them by the action Of Congress,in
opposition to the wishes as says the Cali
fornia Star sof ninety nine hundreths of
the people of the territory And Gen. Cass
is pledged tc oppose the action of Congress
on that subject pledged to veto any act OF
Congress extending slavery to those terrific
ries es-pledged to guarantee to the people OF
those territories, the exclusive power OF
making law, for their own government on
that subject. If you cast your vote for Van
Buren, or for Gerrett Smith, it is equal to
giving one half as many votes for Gen.
Taylor; who his friends say, is pledged not
to interpose his veto; or, except In extraor-
dinary cases. Besides Taylor is large
Shareholder, and Cass is no Shareholder,
and publicly deprecates tho existence OF
szavsry, and prays for its abolition susry
avhsre.' Cass is a talented and judicious
statesman of eminent requirements, extern
sive political knowledged, and great moral
worth. Gen. Taylor on the other hand is,
as by his own admission, but a mere soldier,
unacquainted with political affairs, and ta-
king SO little interest in them, that he never
voted but once in his life, though now near
sixty wears old. Your friend and co-worker,
JOHN HARMON.
Ravenna Ohio, Sept. 25th lS4e. !
Young America, Homestead Journal, and
other papers devoted to the advocacy OF
National Reform measures to which this
NAV be sent, are respectfully requested to
AI.o The Ohio Statesman and the |