Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1849-10-29
A Daring and Impudent Plot to Defeat
the Will Of the People and Prevent a
New Constitution.

the Journal. of last night hoists the flag
OF dissenslon and disorder, to prevent the
organization of the Legislature, and thus
defeat the vote of the people in favor of
new Constitution. This is a bold move,
but it must be met with equal decision and
determination on the part Of the people or
there is an end of Republican Govern
ment. The whig leaders In Ohio are
desperate, and they seem determined to
bring about crisis that is not only terrible
to think Of but must lead TO the lasting
disgrace of our state, and black spot
upon freedom itself.
Defeated at Every point by the votes Of
the people, they should, like good citizens,
submit to their fate, as the Democrats have
done in the election Of Gen. Taylor The
expression Of public opinion at the ballot
boxes should be enough, and to that every
man verify the name Of freeman, should
bow in good grace. If this is not done,
where is our form Of government TO end!
In nothing but riots and cival wars, and
finally in Military Despo,ism! Are we
prepared for such m event? We think
not. No one of an honest heart or sound
out feeling Of horror ut the projectors.
The Journal starts out by showing what
the Legislature has necessarily to do, TO
provide for the election of delegates &c.
before a new constitution can be formed
and then adds:
"Not among the least difficult of these
duties judging from present appearances,
will be that devolved upon the coming leg
islature, of etfecting an organization"
1t then goes to show on what grounds
the wings will prevent an organization by
which the convention will be defeated!
The whole object seems to be, to head off
the people for their vote by tens Of thou
sands Of a majority, for Convention, and
render their intentions nugatory by de-
stroying the Legislative power Of the State
previous to the passnge of law to elect
delegates to Convention; for after that is
done New Constitution will go ahead
through all its forms unpl its final adopt IN,
whether there is ever another Legislature
held under the present one or not.
This the whig leaders well know and
hence their desperate resolve to prevent
such law being passed! To the fliends
of reform and n new Constitution, we say
be on your guard-the enemies Of your
interests and dearest rights have openly
and impudenily declared their intent-it is
for you to look to it and see that no violence
is done to your institutions and that your
will is not defeated.
The people Of Ohio. al the recent elec.
tion, have decided in favor of an amend
ment of the Constitution, TO put an end to
the disgroceful conflicts at the capitol of
the Stale-,hey want reforms, and ,hey
will have them. They decided against the
infamous fraud in dividing Hamilton coun-
ty, by electing majority in both branches
against the measure-,hey have decided in
favor Of a more equal system of taxntion-
they have decided IN favor of electing all
officers by the people, and thus taking
more thon half the corrupting power from
the Legislature-they have decided against
an increase of the State debt, and will thus
protect themselves from being annually
plundered of millions, by a corrupt band of
office holders whenever their interests die
tate the expenditures!
Then why defeat their will, and that
through riots, disorders and civil conflicts.
Here at the Capitol and in the county of
the Capitol, where the people saw daily and
nightly for themselves the struggles Of last
winter-where they witnessed Holcomb
and his thirty rioters for four weeks dis.
grace the Halls of Legislation, the whig
party met most severe defeat, one, too,
that ought to have its effects all over the
State. At home, too, Holcomb run behind
nis ticket every where, and came near
breaking down all on the ticket with him,
,nougn ne had three large whig counties to
hold him up.
Will the whig leaders ne, or learn wis