The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-05-02
To the democracy of Ohio.

To the Democracy of Ohio.
To the exclusion of Editorial matter, we
give place to the following candid and elo-
.quent appeal from the Ohio Satssman;-
Read it carefully:
We wish to speak in plain language to the
Democrats Of Ohio. We think it proper we
should do so-and do it now. Are we to
have campaign in Ohio this year worthy
of the great principles at stake, or are we
to sit quietly, or measurably SO, and see the
State 60 bodily into the hands of the Know
Nothing order! Are we to be governed
by the people, in an old fashioned open day
light way ofdoing things, or are we to be
ruled by the secret, oath-hound midnight or
ganization! To this the contest has got to
come, and it might as we'll be looked direct
ly in the face first as last. The Spring elec-
tions just past, have exhibited most plainly
that the Democratic party has been more
sleeping than dead. They show that there
is noble vitality still left, to kindle the en-
bers of most fiery battle. But what prepara-
tions are making! What are the committees
doing! What progress is making towards
q reunion of the democratic elements, and
close and through organization! If not
one, personally interested, cares about the
result, or relies upon the great mass of vo-
ters, TO do it themselves, unstimulated and
uncared for, why then the chances are that
they will be forgotten they must not expect to
be remembered. If anything is to be done
in a general way, it is time to. begin to pre-
pare for the work. 1t is time that some in
terest be taken to scatter broadcast over
the State, infornation that will satisfy the
people that it is better to sustain a party
that acts openly and manly than one that
acts secretly and stealthiy. The Democ-
Tacy has got to fight openly and above board,
whpe their opponents keep everything hid
from the light. This difference involves a
great republican principle that itself is a
power to WELD a mighty vote amo ng men
accustomed to fair and manly dealing. This
issue should at once be made and acted up
on, and the others will follow in the course.
But whe is to set the ball in motion? Who
Is to lay out the roadway that leads to the
desired goal!
Editors may write and plead, and urge,
butifwhat they write and urge fall into but few
hands, and those listless, it is labor in vain.
II our organizations are incomplete or van
ished, they should be revived and freshly
stimulated. If any are led astray by novel;
ty or false doctrines, they should be got
back or passed off into the folds of their
choosing. If any are undecided, they
should be reasoned with, and shown that
there are but two sides to this question
one of which they must choose. That the
double, indefnte play of the past year will
not suffice for the year to come. If you
have objections to what is, let them be
heard that they may not belost to wha.,is is to
come.
We are struggling against mighty odds.
We have shown by the secret proceedings
we have published the extent of their secret
organization last November, with the work.
ings of its terrific machinery ever since
We showed by that publication, that as long
ago as the last October elections; that they
had in addition to their organization, secret
service fund of about $4,000, to aid their
electieneerng. Is it expected, then, that
they are to be fought and conquered in the
next State election, without organization on
our part-without means to counteract their
plots, and without circulation for our paper,
Ito say nothing ofothersO that is not contemp-
tible, compared with the mighty and unequal
struggle we are engaged in!
These are matters to be thought of now,
not after it is too late. 1t will be too late
after defeat overtakes us-unnecessary de-
feat--to sit down PROSTATE and hopeless
party, and spend our time in elimination
and re.crimination. We desire to see no
such thing--it shall not be our fault if it oc :
ours. But the center must be sound and
strong, or the circumference will be broken
and weak. This is the law of politics, as
well as of mechanics. 1t is a philosophit
truth, but no one need attempt to controver
however agreeable it may be to him to d.
30. When household is assailed from eve
ry quarter, it is no time to settle difficulties
But II there is to be no thorough organiza
ton. no effort to meet our political oppc
nents in spirit of determination--if no on