The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-01-17
T,he Carnpaign.-Our Prospects.

T'he Campaign.-Gur Prospects.
v'What is the prospect of success tor the
Democratic ticket, in the coming Campaign
is question now very frequently asked. or
course, no one can tell the result with cer-
tainty. The political elements are in strange
confusion at the present time. A party whose
secret councils, and midnight deliberations
are evidenced only by its overwhelming victo-
ries, has obtained for time, the ascendency.
How long will this state of things continue !!
Are the intelligent freemen Of the land, to
be controlled for years, by the edicts of an
unseen and proscriptive organization =
Here, where free, open, manly discussion is
above all things most desirable, and abso-
lutely essential to the right management of
our political affairs, is erery tang to be done
under cover Of darkness These are que
ries which every thinking man should an
swer, SO far as he can, by an analysis of the
political and social condition of the times. .
We do not desire to create false hope,
or mislead our readers as to the actual con-
diton of things in the country: but after
carefully looking the ground over. we affirm
it as our confident belief that the Democrat
ic party in Ohio, may be again triumphant,
in less than one year. How long can the
opposition hold together Already its for
tunes are beginning to decline, as is witness
ed by its total overthrow in Pittsburgh at the
recent election, and also by the discord which
reigns in its councils in many other locali-
ties. Last fall, it was q new thing, and ii
was desire for something new, that led We.
ry many to join its ranks. This novelty is
wearing off, and those who from curiosity OF
mis- s-information became members of the or.
der, will soon separate themselves from it
They joined it in moment of excitement
and now when an opportunity for sober
second thought" is given, they see their err
ror and renounce it. Again, its pro-slavery
principles and character, will do much to di-
vide and distract its councils, especially a.
mong the people Of the Northern States
Already mutterings of discomfort and disaf-
fection are heard in every quarter. Free
Soilers are just beginning to learn the fact,
that they are sold over to the interests of the
South, and have become the unconscious in.
struments of despotism. Here, then, there
will be q division; and thus one difference
after another will occur, until this party, SO
powerful few months ago, will fall to ruin,
from its own internal dissentons.
You might as well try to mix oil and wa
ter as to unite in harmony and unity Of pur"
pose, the discordant and jarring elements
which were thrown together, and which made
up the Fusion party at the last Election
Nothing need be done by 'out-siders" to Sc
cure its overthrow If let alone, 1t ,oiH deS-
troy itself. The poison Of its own virus is
circulating through every vein, and the day
of its dissolution is speedily approaching
Rocking and heaving from the warfare o.
its own internal and stormy elements, il
already gives evidence of its decay; and ir
future years, itawill be regarded, as one o
those inexpIicable anomalies in polite:
which now and then mar our history, show
ing that with all our intelligence, we are ye
the erring creatures of passion and prejudice
But it is asked Suppose the present Know
Nothing party does split to pieces, why dc
you believe thatthe Democratic party will bC
benefited thereby? We answer, because
our principles are right, our doctrines art
founded in justice, and we have confidence
iR the honesty of the people. All that i
required on our part to secure success, is a
Independent straightforward course-a steu
dy and unswerVing adherence to the princi
pies and usages of the party. And what AZ
our principles ;! The resolutions of the lat
Convention at Columbus presentsthem
clear and explicit language. They are
substance as follows: equal and exa'
justice to all men, Of whatever State or pc
suasioh, religious or political ,:-Allegianc
to the Constitution of the United States
perfect freedom in all matters Of reiigio
and conscience-the protection Of goyerl
ment to the oppressed Of all nations, wi
may come TO our shores, and desire to dive
among us--homes to the ,homeless--tl
right Of each State to regulate its own d
nestle institu.ions--the mitigation and fin
eradication of the evils Of slavery -ecoIon
in the public expenditures and an equal al
uniform system Of taxation. These are fu