Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1852-10-27
mo Difesence.'

i
When Free Soiler approaches Democrat
to induce him to abandon his old party and join !
the ranks of sectionalism, almost the first argu
n,ent advanced is, 'sthere are no longer any
issues between the old parties that "the old
questions which have SO long divided them have
become Obsolete 2 Now, if this were true, what
kind of an argument is it to present to a Demo-
crat to induce him to abandon the party to which
our glorious country owes all its prosperity, and
to which alone it must commit its hopes for the
future Ifthe Freesoilers, believing in the justice
of their principles, should succeed, after long
series of wears and many bitter conflict. in estab-
fishing their measures Us the settled policy of the
country, would they even dream of abandoning |
the field and uniting themselves with faction,
at the very moment when their measures had be-
come triumphant, merely because their ancient
enemy under the strong pressure OF public senti-
ment, had made paper admission of the justice
of their cause, and at the very moment, too, when
they were arrayed in the most bitter hostility a.
gainst them! Is that the time for a party to de-
sert its colors, when the opposition is forced into
a reluctand acknowledgment of the justice OF Its
cause. Men do not, at least, should not, SO act
If there be an identity between the principles of
the Democratic and Wing parties in this contest,
it is not because the former has deserted its
high position or abandoned the measurs which
1t has urged forward to their final triumph against
the most bitter opposition. Nor is it because the
latter give hearty concurrence to those measures,
but are compelled, by the force Of public senti-
timent, to abandon their former position. The
Wings to-day are as hostile to Democratic prin-
eiples and measures as was the great founder OF
their party-Alexander Hamilton-and once give
them the power and they would establish the old
federal policy and measures. it be true that the
Wings are no longer opposed to the Democratic
policy, why does not their party disband and come
over to the support of the men who have stood by
that policy through evil and through good report!
But let no Democrat bedeceived by this shall
low arthice. Let us look back over the history
of the past few years, and ask ourselves what re-
lance can be placed upon the outward professions
of the Wing party. In the bitter contest of ls4o
they abandoned their principles altogether, and in
some sections abandoned and denounced them.
They then denied that their party was in favor of
an United States Bank But no sooner had they
succeed to power than extra session of Con-
gress was called and among the first business it
transacted the passage of a Bank bill, which
was vetoedby John Tyler, and for that act they
have never forgiven him from that dayto this.
| Then followed in the train their odious Bankrupt
Law, their Distribution scheme, and their splcn-
did scheme for filing the pockets of the opulent
manufacturer from the earnings of the poor mans
toll, underthe captivating cognomen Of 6 frotec-
tue Tariff And all these things were done
when the Wings had abandoned their principles
at time when faction might have said there
were ssno issues between the old parties To all
| of these odieus measures Gen. Scott fully COM
mitted himself in letter dated the 25th of Octo-
!! Der of that year. In l84S they attempted the
| same game through the same nstrumentality of
an abandonment of their principles, but fortunate
| " were prevented from succeeding by want of
whig majority in Congress. They are now try
ing still bolder and more infamous game, if pos
sible by an open dsnial of principles upon paper;
but can any democrat, in the full light of the past
, hypocritical course of the Wing party, be misled
by the false lights which they now hold out! Can
he for moment believe that the bitter strife be-
tween privileged capital and honest, unprotected
toll is at an end. He who believes it deceiveth
himself and is not wise. 5s
aNo issues!'' Not till monopoly shall hide her
hydraheadwil1th the political mil lennium be ushered
in Not till the old Federal Whig Monopoly par
ty ground the arms of their rebellion against the
Equal rights of the people, will there be- a truce
ssNo difference!n Why, the very elements of
which they are composed are entirely dssililar
The Whig party, the advocates of Banks, Tariffs,
and every species of monopoly, believe that wealth
is the all-n-al and hence their Legislation is al
most entirely for the benefit of capital. The Dem
ocratic party, on the other hand, regarding Man
as the chief object ofgovernmental regard, and for
for the protection of his rights governments were
Instituted among men, believe that ssthe blessings
of government, like the dews of heaven, should be
dispensed alike to the high and the low, the rich
and the poor. 1t is between these parties that
the people in a few days are to chose. And al
ready havewe strong indication of what that
choice will be.
go Taking the Vote.
Since the present political contest opened, the
wings have had their laques on all the railroad
cars, steamboats, and public conveyances, taking
the vote of the people, which have nearly always
been heralded abroad as Wing victories. On the
10th inst, the Democracy of Pennsylvania, Ohio,
and Indiana took the vote of the people in quite