Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-03-04
The Akron Convention again.

Portage, held at Akron on the 22d ult :, but
not having the proceedings before us, we
were left to speculate as to the objects and
action of the Convention. This week we
place the long string of resolutions before
our readers that they may see for them
selves the action Of the convention and how
near right we were in our sarmises as to its
objects. We thought then, and the resolu-
tons confirm the opinion, that the object
Of the Convention was, to take measures
for the nomination of a Guber atorial can
didate in opposition to Judge Wood, and
thus to divide those who contend for the
same measures of State policy, and advocate
the same measures of reform, thus endan-
gering their success and jeopardizing their
triumph, when united effort and action
would ensure their speedy establishment.
We have no desire TO impugn the motives
of those who have united in this movement,
but we can but regard it as one fraught with
no benefits, and which can only tend to pro-
mote the defeat of every reform for which
we have so long struggled.
The greater portion of the resolutions, it
will be seen, are devoted to the subject of
slavery, condemning Gen. Cass' Nicholson
letter, Gen. Taylor's Special Message, and
the compromise resolutions Of Henry Clay,
contending for the passage Of the Proviso,
for the abolition of slavery in the District
of Columbia for absolving the General Gov
ernment for all responsibility for the exist
ence of slavery and the slave trade in all
districts, territories and other places sub
ject to its control; against the enactment of
laws for the reclamation of slaves that shall
be of binding efficacy upon the people of
the States, &c. These resolves are well E.
nough in their place, and may serve to show
that those who passed them have hearts
that sympathize with the oppressed; but
why they should form the ground for sep
aration of any portion of the democracy
from their party in an elec tion Of officers
who have no control over those questions,
we are at loss to discover. Admitting
the doctrines of the resolutions to be true,
what can any democrat hope to gain by
an abandonment of his party in the coming
political contest? Certainly not the estab-
lishment of their anti-slavery measures, nor
the success of the principles of State policy
which they advocate. Such course can
only serve to give strength to the whig par.
ty, and to perpetuate its unjust and unequal
measures. Is not this suicidal policy
In addition to the resolutions upon the
subject of slavery they adopted others, setting
forth their State principles, and which d.
not materially differ from the doctrines laie
down by the 9Th Of January Democrat,
Convention. They declare themselves il
favor of homestead exemption, of equal tax
alton, against an increase Of the public debt
in favor of the election of all officers by ths
people, in favor Of bienniel sessions of tn,
legislature, against the grant of special priv
ileges, and against the granting of Banking
Charters without the consent of the peopl,
of the State given at some general election
These are questions which the Democracy o
Ohio have advocated for years, and they
are the only questions at issue in the com,
ing contest which the people can determine
for, whatever may be the peculiar views o
the Governor of Ohio upon the subject O.
slavery, he has no power to enforce thos.
views or take any action upon the subject
If, then, the questions of State policy as pu
forth by the Democratic Convention are, a.
these resolutions admit, Of Importance to ths
people of Ohio, is it not folly, nay madness
to seek to divide the friends of that policy
and thus endanger its success, by bringing
in questions which are in no way connected
with the contest? That these measures are
safe in the hands of the Democracy no one
questions; and that united effort and action
on the part of the friends of these principles
will ensure their speedy triumph, can scarce
ly admit of question. Then IS not he
who abandons his party and seeks by pro-
noting discord and division when these
principles are on the very eve of success
worse than our most inveterate enemy?
npo n. sc - n. :pu.I