Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1851-04-28

improvements by the general Government
and the River and harbor bill, as recon-.
mended by the proper department OF the
present Whig administration. was support
ed by such men as General Cass, the late
Democratic candidate for President, and
was only defeated by the zenl Uf the friends
rnafimprosemenL of all parties, at
taching to il such snst appropriations, be-
yond the means of the Treasnry, and tho
anlicipations Of ite whig Cabinet, that il
fellby its own weight. We are all for
river"an harbor improvements Of iln.
tional character; and we of the interior,
and of the Lake frontier, zfeel-sthere is
something due us from the seaboard, which
has had such large appropriations in times
past. Il mny how ever be a question, ,wheth.
er the system should no. be changed,so thar
eoch locality, each district Of country should
make its own improvements, 10 increase
the facili.iesof trade. and intercourse for
its own locality, and for the safety Of ito
own citizens and their property. And, as
regards the last itemofE party ciffefencess
that of bestowing Offices on our parry
friends, ell parties have adopted nearly ths
same system, and will continue to SUPPORT
it while they suppor: their party organiza.
tions; but individuals win as before, break
the party traces, and vote for those they
deem the best men, without much regard
to party. sass.aGeg
Now in. national politics, what party
measure is left to contend about as between
those old purlesl and as all are for union.
in times when treason 10 the union has
indeed some supporters, why should We not
unite oil who are for union, and for. peacs
and progress? -. -.
| q, In state politics, we, in Ohio, have some
more formidable differences; but mono, |, 10
believed, that may not well be comprom
ised. The new constitution soon TO be
voted on, is apparently generally approved
by the Press, and trust, the people, Of the
Democratic and Free Democratic parties;
and portion Of the Wing Press has given
it some tokens Of ofaPproval. The opposi.
,ion Of others, appears to me to arse prin-
cipally from what they deem an UNJUST up.
portioDmeni Of representation in future
Legislatures; giving as they conceive, tho
democratic party some advantages. But
hope they will consider ihni os parties urs
often changing, what appears against them
now, mny eventually operate in their fnyor,
| be conclia,ed. We hear nc. complain. bur
the State, as whole, will be fairly rep.
resented and apporiipned. Besides, there
is one clause OF the new constitution, that
should recommend it to all W ho have cor.
fdence in the capacity Of the people for
! self government; aid that is, tie clause
providing for future ameIdmeEis- by vote
Of the people, to be submitted 10 Them In
separate sections. For the want Of such
n clause in our original constitution, thnt
has held ou, Fear fifty ycals against oil al-
lempls Of well meaning reformers 10 amend
| it, though generally admitting j, 10 be
somewhat defective, while we the people,
have steadily progressed in knowledge
And now. inter an expense Of some hundred
thousand dollars for new fundamental
law, embod, ing the most approved princi.
pies OF Tire old, with some imporianl i'm.
provemenis, shall we reject il fora few de-
iecls That may easily be remedied by vote
OF the people, and With small expsnsei--
trust not
To the Free Soil or free DemeAraiic
Party would say, We Of the North have,
or certainly profess 10 have, the same OBJ
jec,, the ultimate freedom Of all men. We
only differ in regard to ;he mems to effect
the object. And believe TOO, all, or near
ly all, profess TO favor preservation Of
our National Union. But. as we have 20
slaves among us,our efforts mus, be Direct
cd mainly 10 induce the people Of lbo Slave
States to ameliorale the condition, apd if
possible to induce them TO emnncipate The
slayes-olherwise TO provide some means
for the gradual emancipation Of ths slave
population. There may be several ways
devised for the same object; and we should
choose the most appropriate--tha. best cal.
culnted to produce the desired result and
with the least delay and trouble. And shall
we make war on the Sonlh and her in
stitutions, bad as they are-a bloody war
or shall We ply war Of wo:ds en- our
brethren there. reproaching them for their
greatest curse? Or rather, On the other
hand, sholl we reason with them, kindly
telling them what may we'll be said, md
the truth Of which they can scarce deny,
that Slavery is indeed their greatest cussel
That which keeps them behind US Of The
lICO h9tusos3 IA PoPuiusiOAl,ih 60nSi ~ " Suliu,
industry and intelligence, and in public
spirit, in virtue, and in the temper md
progress oil our peoplei We can show
Them nll :his in perfect Kindness, pointing
to our own progress, ard contrasting ], with
theirs. Let us then, all unite TO do this in
the most amicable spirit. - !, 's,'a'- ~
But must not extend ono communica-
tion unreasonably long. There is, indeed,
no lack of matter 70 elucida,e the positionJ
take; that of peace and good win among
men OF oil parties and opinions. That
ground is eminenlly tenable now, as Il was
when proclaimed long ago. The objec-
tion that party Cancellation is impracticable,
does not discourage me from persevering
in the attempt. The same plea or imprac.
ticabilily was urged eight and nine years
ago, against our efforts for homes,ead ex-
emption, and for opening the public lands
r.. ,o,,n1 co,,J1.. frhaerx ,x,ao o,,rna