Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-03-11
Akron Convention.
CorrespOndences Of the Portage Sentinel:

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4 Correspondence.ofith Of the Portage Sentinel;
4 Messrs. Editors-There is much inquiry
] among democrats, a little removed from the
scene ofsocenrren C, con cerningg the motive
4 and probable effect of the late Free Sol
convention at Akron. The solicitude fel,
by our people, arises altogether from the
fact that that convention was got up in the
name Of another political party, by men
who for a longtime had been distinguished
/ in the ranks of the Democracy, and was
ss,ads ii ffrstsa HI s1ss .s,h, x.
pressed their, remuneration. of their old party
associations. 3. Its, quite natural under the
circumstances ,sthat democrats should think,
inquire and feel-and it is highly important
that they should think and feel correctly
for the judgment Of the mind must soon be
expressed atthe ballot-box, whers opinions
ripen into consequences. ess
The seeding democrats, above referred
to, who have been fully baptized into the
third party, appeal TO their former brethren,
to follow them, and join in their denuncia-
ton of the party's candidate, and the party
itself; and if they can support the appeal
with satisfactory reasons, we should be rea-
dy to comply; for democracy, acts under
the direction Of intelligence and conscience.
But let us see what ground of argument
they assume The Democratic party, say
they, is not right upon the subject of slave-
ry. We have repeatedly declared our hos
tility TO the principle of slayery-nobody
has heard US say that he is guiltless who re-
strains the free exercise of a fellow creatures
natural rights. We deeply regret that the
confederation Of States could not have been
effected without the recognition, in the fun
damental law, of right, in certain States,
inconsistent with The declared principle up
on which all our institutions were based.
But our government has come TO us as it
was fashioned by the republican fathers
the States alone can undo the evil. Here
we meet with no contradiction, except from
a few inconsiderate persons who deny that
the Federal Constitution recognizes slavery
at all. But they say their eonsciences will
not admit. of thsir association with a party.
majority Of whom, is not ready, on all oc-
casions, however little the occasion may
have TO do. with the subject, to declare them
selves in favor of certain line of policy to
prevent the creation of slavery where it does
not now exist. Lett be well understood
they do not claim that any democrat is in
favor of submitting to slavery in the territo-
ries. The complaint is, that in some por-
tons of the State. the democracy have not
vet said that the Prouiso is the constitutions
al and proper method of preserving terrific
rial freedom, and that THIS opinion shall be
test and q qualification, an the aonaa'aa-
ton Of candidates for State officers. 1t
makes no difference with these men how
good democrat candidate may be, or
how little connection there may be between
the office and the solitary idea of their faith,
or how uncompromisingly he may be op-
posed to the extension of slavery-or yet,
what the known opinion of the candidate
may be in regard TO their test; it must be
made party test, and dictate, and charac-
terize the nomination. That would GER
tainly reduce democracy to very small
point. Patriotism does not require it-rea-
son is not satisfied with it. a 8 ~
- While the Democracy of this State are
all agreed in their opposition to the increase
of slave territory, it would be strange in
deed, if they were equally agreed upon the
Proviso as the proper means of preventing
it. The very men who denounce us be-
cause we are not willing to throw up our
whole code of principles, and substitute an
opinion which may just as we'll be held in
common with them, are the ones who con-
tributed most to diminish our confidence in
that opinion. They told US, and sealed it
with the might of their opinions as states
men and jurists, that for Congress to legis-
late upon the subject of slavery in the ter
ritories, would be plain violation Of the
constitution; that such legislation was en-.
tirely unnecessary, and in fine, that the
Wilmot Proviso was humbug! The DEM
Gratis listened to this teaching from Messrs.
Spalding and Bierce; and, believing them
to be incapable of wilfulIy deceiving their
friends, to make them believe lie, and
com NIT the enormous sin of aiding in the
propagation of slavery, their opinions were
undoubtedly affected thereby. 1t strikes me
that before they prescribe men for their O.
pinioins received from them, they ought to
seek them out, remove by fair reasoning the
errors for which they are responsible. and
then, as a question Of integrity must neces-
sarily arise, to show some evidence of i'm
proved sincerity, tojustify a renewal of con-
fdence. @~'
But what, it is frequently. asked, has
wrought this sudden change of opinion,
formed in an hour, and in secrecy so pro-
found, that democrats did not suspect it un-
til they attempted an explosion Of the par