Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-10-30
The Right Sentiment Gaining
IaaH Ground.

The recent democratic triumphs in Penn
sylvania and Ohio, afford unmstakable evil
dence that the democratic party of these States
has been gloriousy sustained in its attempts to
preserve its ancient purity and national char
acter. In the old Key Stone State is this the
case in particular, for its soil has been the To-
rum Of the fiercest and most sangunary
test between democracy and modern whiggery
Occupying the position, geographically, that
Pennsylvania does, and lis population CON-
prising large number of that class of people
who have descended from the original settlers
of the State-that peaceable and quiet sect
called Fricnds-who are nearly or quite all of
them, ultra rgormers-it was somewhat I'M
certain what the result of the recent election
which was really struggle between the ex-
IRENE, antogonistical views of the two parties
of the State-would terminate in.
1t will be recolected that JOHNSTON, the
wing candidate for Governor, and the present
incumbent, is rabid aboliiiorist, and does not
conceal his hostility to the Fugitive Slave
Law. When the democracy of the State pro-
cured the repeal of the law inconsiderately
passed in 1S47, which denied the of the
State jails for the custody and safe keeping of
fugitive slaves, Gov. Johnston pocketed the bill
and thus virtually vetoed it. The wings of
PENNSYLVANIA sustained him for so doing, by
nominating him for reelection, and this by Gc-
cldmdtion. After his nomination he "stumped"
it through the State, publicly denouncing the
Compromise measures of 1850, and appealing
to abolition votes for aid. And the admins
tration, the Compromise administration" of
Mr.. Fillmore, probably thinking it better TO
save the State now by throwing its influence
in favor of Johnstons election, and regulating
its orthodoxy afterwards, actually falsified its
professions sufficiently TO do so. And the
Compromise uhigs of the State-those who
had participated in Union demonstrations and
repeatedly denounced the course of Johnston,
within the last year, were induced pretty gen.
orally to come into his support, even at the
ninth hour though it be. The occasion was
too important-their power in the State too
desirable to be retained, if for no other purpose
than forpolitical efect-and principles and pref
ercnccs must be sacrificed to party power, rath
er than suffer defeat. This was the position
of the whig party-now how stood their oppo-
nents who have so gloriously triumphed over
theml -t
The democracy of Pennsylvania early plant
ed themselves upon national PLATFORM Soon
after the passage of the Compromise measures
of 1850, and before the democracy of the North
had had time 10 array itself against the tide of
opposition 10 the measure, the democracy of
this State took its position, determined to sue
coed on their old platform and under their old
principles, or suffer defeat, however over
whelming. The Compromise was accepted as
a final adjustment of the slavery difficulties,
and they were as open 10 declare their deter
minaton 10 abide by it, as the wings were to
declare their hostility to it. Sixty-one demo-
cratic County Conventions passed resolutions
In accordance with this determination, and
when their State Convention assembled, this
was made the common rallying ground and
candidate who represented their principles
In this respect, and who was able and willing
to maintain and support them, was nominated
even the gallant BIcLER, whose patriotic
speeches made since his nomination, have al
ready given him national reputation.
Il was this state of affair. that invested the
recent elections with 50 much of interest. taken
iu connection with the fact that Gen. ScoTr
was nominated by the defeated party as lis
candidate for the Presidency! The triumph
OF JOHNSTON would have been the success of
the most dangerous kind of aboliionism-a
condemnation of the Fugitive Slave Law, and
Of the compromise measures, and the precur-
sor, it is to be feared, Of more bloodshed than
the soil of the Stale has yet been stained with
But the election of BiGLER would be nnequlv-
ocal demonstration in favor of the Union, the
laws of the ceuatry, and the welfare of the
whole people And nobly has the issue been
met, and nobly does the result stand out, an
encouraging example to the democracy Of the
country. eE -s s7 ia sal'. :