The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-09-08
PRINCIPLES MEN,

1t has always been cardinal virtue of the
Democratic party to advocate republican
principles, under whatever auspices they
were presented. With an eye single to the
great landmarks Of Democracy, as establish
ed by JEFFERSON, MADISON, JACKSON, and
other distinguished Democrats, there has
never been time when principle was sac
rifced for party leaders, ard favorte men
preferred to measures.
This virtue in the Democratic party Of this
country is the more to be respected and ven-
Grated, when we come to reflect that our
common country owes so much to those dis
tinguished patriarchs of Democracy, who, in
the days of adversely and peril, when fac
tious opposition, grovelling funaticism, and
aristocratc Federalism combined to shake
this Union from its center to its circumfer.
ehce, have stood by the helm firmly and
guided our ship of State safely through the
tempest.
Were it not that the Democratic party
has so frequently met the enemies of our
Union, and under so many names and phas:
es, and defeated them. the present aspect oi
the political horizon would fprebode fearful
tempest nigh.
| When we see on the one hand gigantic
sectional party at the North, whose banner
cry is prescription to foreigners and disso'
luton of the Union; while, ON the other
hand, Southern band Of these same pro-
scriptionists, sworn brethren in this work o.
destruction, trampling under foot the sacred
anchor Of our freedom, the ballot.box; while
murder, rapine, piilage, burning and plum
dering of towns and cities, for opinion S sake
is the daily and hourly avocations of fren
zied rnfians, encouraged by the hypocrhica
sanctinony Of bigoted and designing clergy
vino aim at p,litical power in the state, ii
the common work of the Know Nothing
party; we say, had it not been, that in days
gone by, when civil war was threatened ant
disunion encouraged on the street, in the
bar.room, and in the pulpit, as 1t nov is b
the Know Nothing clergy and their follow
ers and co-laborers, Atchison, Strngfellov
and their associates, ,--the Democracy, il
their strength, with holy purpose and I
firm integrity that gives its own reward
arose and girdcd On their armof, and in thu
great contest of principle, put the enemy o
republicanism and the Union to flight, the
present would be fearful prestige of
coming storm. But having full and earnes
confidence in the eternal principles of th'
Democratic creed; believing that the people
are capable of Self-government, that th'
mass of the people aim to do right; believ
ing that the PEOPLE have sufficient intelli
gence to fathom the reckless treachery of
recreant clergy, and the sordid ambition o
political demagogues who encourage blood
shed, robbery and murder to accomplish thei
wicked and selfish ends, we are content.
Let, then, the Democracy, as of old, aris
in its strength; let it stand firmly by th'
Union, as ofyore. Disgrace not the histor,
of your party, but keep within the landmark
of our sacred creed. Do all that you can t,
maintain the sanctity Of the ballot box. lie
character, not birthplace, be the criterion o
manhood. Denounce the commission o
Know Nothing outrages wherever they MAJ
occur. Do all inyour power to resist tn,
spread Of slavery, to mitigate and finally Grad
icate the evil" Proclaim and, advocate tn,
principles of Popular Sovereignty, and de
nounce those conspirators who, with th,
torch, the dark lantern, and the dagger in
fest its sacred precincts. Do as your father
did; do as you would have your children do
let freedom of speech of the press, and o
conscience be your watchword, and the land
marks of our party your guide, and all viii
yet be well:-Hickory .Fzail.
or zone of the saddest things abou
human nature is. that man may guide 9th
! ers in the path of life, without walking him
. Al Ah~Sk kn L. atI vI