Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1854-01-04

ed for our last weeks paper, but was not reeeir-
ed until we had already SO much copy in hand as
compel us to delay il till this week:
For the Portage Sentinel.
FactiOus Party Spirit.
quite tired, Mr.. Editor, of the factious spir
it of mere opposition, exhibited by the partizan
press claiming to be the organs of the only pure
and free Democratic party. The Whig press is
lately, comparatively quiet and peaceable. As
far can observe it exhibits but little of that
factious opposition that of words that SO dis
tinguished the opposition press during the past
Democratic Administrations of the general Gov
ernment And why should it, There is little of
principle pending between the Wing and Demo
cratic parties, if we may judge by the respective
Baltimore platforms of the two parties; and it
were better that all should unite to promote the
general cause of Republican liberty, and the
rights of man, of which this American Republic
is prominent practical example. If there are
some exceptions to perfect Democracy in some
of the States-as all admit there are-still, the
institutions of each State are such as the people
have chosen to constitute and to support, and all
appear inclined to progress somewhat, though it
may seem in some States as very slow Public
opinion, however, progresses, and must be event.
ually truly developed in their laws and institutions
A factious partizan warfare, in one State, can
have little beneficial influence to reform the inst-
tuttons of any other State, further than it ope-
rates on public opinion, and temperate discussion
will have a more powerful and salutary in
duence on public opinion, than harsh, incorporate
denunciation. Of these facts large portion OF
Al A.
are well aware; and therefore, they see no prob
able advantage likely to result from forming and
sustaining political party in the Northern States
merely to oppose, upbraid and denounce the South
and her institutions. Although we all sincerely
deplore the existence of slavery, we may still
have charity for those masters who are kind to
their slave families; and we may we'll be content
to watt wait we must, until the people of those
States choose the change their institutions for the
better, unless we would invite to civil war in
those States, or would, ourselves, make war on
them to free the slaves; policy which would, ]
think, find very few advocates, even among the
Northern abolitionists. If any would provoke to
war, it would be to cause others to do the fight
ing. Such a war would be war of extermna-
ton, for the two races can never be induced to
coalesce and unite in one free government on
equal terms until they shall be equally intelligent;
and that cannot be in this generation, if at all.
AS the old issues that divided the Democratic
and Wing parties are now Abandoned by the
| Wings, and become obsolete, there can be nc
good reason for partizan strife between those
two parties; and unless the third party designs
eventually rupture with the South, separation
of this Union of States, we of the old parties car
see no use, no probable public benefit, nor even
party advantage to result from the warfare o.
that party on the South, on the Democratic par.
ty, or on the Wing party, in the matter of slave
| ry. A temperate discussion of measures may
indeed, be beneficial, but the factious opposition
lately waged, by at least editor, of that party
appears to us as quite uncalled for-indeed, q.
worse than useless: even to himself, or his party
now refer to the OHIO STAR and to the article
in that paper of December 18th, headed "The
Presidents Message" in which, after cavilling a,
the Message, stgmatizing it as Gan unstatesman-
like, narrow, groveling partisan document, un,
worthy the dignity of the executive station" the
Editor proceeds to stigmatise the President as "a
reckless, unscrupulous partisan" ga low political
groveller,"" ga fifth rate, New Hampshire, petit
| Jogging lawyer, tipplng, bar-room politician.
Such assertions, and such language, | should think
no credit to an Editor or his party, where it il
known that Franklin Pierce has been so popular
with the people of his native State, that they ee-
vated him from one honorable post to another till
he arrived at that of Senator in Congress; and
his own party in that State, delegated in State
Convention, unanimously recommended and nom.
mated him for President of the United States
that he was elected to that office with almost un-
precedented unanimity, and has since fulfilled all
his pledges, as the faithful friend and servant OF
the people. No; even his opponents will not be-
lieve him as merely ga fifth rate lawer," nor ga
tppler.'' They would be ashamed to own it he
fore the enemies of republicanism, before the
world, even if he were such astheir Editor repre-
sents, lest it should be taken as proof of the in
competency of even an enlightened people to
choose their own officers or public servants.
I have long known the Editor of the Star, and
personally he appears polite, gentlemanly and
pleasant; and were it not for few personal en-
counters, few tilts of his pen at some very wor-
thy men, in time past, casting some coarse epi-
thets at them, and apparently uncalled for-such
men, too, as Judge L. L. Brown, N. L. Jeffries,
J. s. Herrick, and others-were it not, say, for
few such cases, would be led to doubt wheth-
er it was really Editor Hall that so expressed
himself of the President. AS it is, suppose we
will be compelled to admit the fact, and plead in
his favor, paliation, that he was unfortunate
ly blinded by party prejudice. r.l
I trust he will reconsider yet, and have the can
dor to retract, as candor, I am sure, is more be-