Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1849-10-29
For the Sentinel.
True Democracy.

your paper some two weeks ago, endeaV-
ored to show that some advantage would re-
suit to the people if change were made In
our form of Government; if, instead of our
present complex aristocratic system of gov
erning by agents, some one or more removes
from the people, we would substitute SIM
pie Democratic form of government by the
people themselves. We claim that the peo-
pie have the natural right to govern and
manage their own affairs in their own way,
provided they do not encroach on the rights
of others.
The Constitution Of Ohio appears to re-
cognize this right, when in the last section of
the last article it declares that 'all powers
not hereby delegated remain with the peo-
ple,' thus implying that those powers are in
herent with the people, not derived from "a
ny enactment by Congress or State Con-
vention. Indeed, it appears to be fair con-
truction of the Constitution that the people
are free, and have natural and legal right
to meet together. and make all needful laws,
rules and regulations for their own govern
ment-not, indeed, inconsistent with the
provisions of that constitution.
No legislator can, by any possibility, tru-
ly represent numerous constituency, ex-
cept by special instruction on each section
and clause of each separate law or bill that
is deliberated on. 1t is by presuming to
act without these special instructions that
our Republican Legislators make SO many
egregious blunders. 1t is thus that they
make so many laws 50 bad that they are
soon obliged to alter or repeal them. 1t is
thus that they are SO constantly making
and unmaking laws, until their excessive
Legislation has become "a bye-word and
reproach,' as are also the disgraceful in
trigues of politicians and political asrirants
The remedy for these things may be found
in restoring political power 10 the people.
Let them create such Offices as they may
need, and establish such reasonable salaries
as will comport with the wages of the labor
er or the interest of the people, the employ
ers, not such salaries as will stimulate the
aspirant to foul and disgraceful intrigues.
How convenient is the state of the settle-
ments, and the intelligent and active habits
of the people in Northern Ohio for the chang
es we advocate. The center of almost eve
ry township is laid out and improved in
manner adapted to tie public business OF
Township Government, trul y democratic.
There all laws should be enacted and oil
controversies between the people should be
settled. There it could be done easier, cheap
er, and far better than at the distant seat OF
the County or State Government Every
township should have its court for the trial
of all cases except of The highest crimes
There should be kept the public records Of
lands, the tax books and the records OF deeds.
The people can find men in every town Ca
pable Of doing such business. In the New
England States taxes are levied and collect
ed by the people of each township for school
and public expenses, at the discretion of the
people. There, also, the township. Clerk
keeps record of births, marriages, and
deaths, besides recording deeds and other in
struments of writing, and the ear-marks of
cattle, sheep, and swine. Nothing would
induce them to exchange their system for
ours, for theirs is much the most convenient
for the people, though falling far short of a
true democratic government. Government!
did l say! That is not the proper term for
mere association Of persons as pure
democratic township. Such would be a mu-
tual association. The term government
would not seem applicable for free volun-
tary association, for coercion would there
seem unnecessary, unless for some rare
fhard cases. Of persons who might fail to
enter into the spirit Of the association.
If the people Of township might, by
asking, have the privilege to adopt the true
democratic system of self government, would
any township Of our county fail to ask?
What town, except, indeed, the county seat,
would prefer going to the distant county
town to get a deed recorded or to pay their
taxes-.or, indeed, to attend on court as a
Juryman Or witness, or even suitor. And
| then, to wait attendance on court week
after week, as some do, away from home
on expense, and at the end of the tern, learn
] that their case cannot be rea ched thew mnst
come again, and perhaps again. Such are
occurrences of every court term. Well.w
can have them remedied, if we will make
up party sufficiently powerful in the State
to influence Alright the making of the New
Constitution. But take care that the power
ful county-seat interest throughout the State
be not arlayed against the measure. Let
US make an effort for more pure Democ-
racy. RADICAL DEMOCRAT.