The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-08-04
A word to our Patrons,

word TO Our Patrons,
To.day's paper closes the first Volume
Of the Sentinel since it came under our
charge as Editor. 1t may not be improper
to offer remark in relation to our expe-
rience and the degree of SUCCESS which has
attended our our labors for the past year.
When we first came into the Sentine Of
fee, we knew nothing by experience, Of
the duties which devolve upon the publish
ers Of newspaper. The business was
entirely new to US. How far we have sue
ceeded in meeting the expectations of our
friends and h. W we'll our patrons have been
pleased with the manner in which the Pa
per was conducted, is for them tG Judge
All that we can say, is, that it has been our
effort to make its reliable journal.
In politics, we have endeavored to pur-
sue an even straight forward course, with
out regard to the solicitation of friends or
the opposition Of enemies. Believing that
the doctrines of the Democratic creed as
. exptapdedby JEFFERSON and JACKSON and
set h IN the platform of the party, are
correct in principle, and that if carried out
in the measures of government, they will
secure to the people a continuance of our
manifold civil and political blessings, we
have at all times labored in their defence;
and believing that many of the sentiments
entertained by our political opponents are
false in theory and dangerous in practice,
we have not hesltated to denounce them in
strong terms. Our opponents have not
been pleased at this. We have no ambi-
ton to gain their appreciation. Their de-
termined opposition was to be expected,
and should be courted rather than avoided.
Itis a matter of surprise however, that it
should be carried, as it has been in many
& instances, not only to politics, but to per-
> sonal and business affairs. It would be
more pleasant to most readers, and far
more honorable for the members of the
press generally, if bitter personal contro-
versies were kept out of ofnewspapers entirely.
As things ore, it is sometimes necessary to
engage in personalities, in sclfdefense We
have been compelled to do SO at times in
order to ward off the blows of an enemy
whose principal weapons are treachery and
falsehood. This is our excuse (if one is
needeD for the course pursued in this re-
spect.
In our financial relations, the success of
the enterprise has been as fair as we could
have anticipated. Our labors here, COM
menced just as the drouth of last season
cane on. The past year has been one of
uncommon embarrassment with all classes
Of business men. The products of the field
we're cut off. Farmers failed to receive
reward for their labors and instead of hav-
ing produce to sell have been compelled to
buy and in many cases to borrow money,
in order to make nece ssary purchases. AS
all other departments Of industry are main
ly dependent upon the farming interest,
so, all have been embarrassed, and gen.
eral stagnation in business followed. Under
such circumstances, our interests have of
course, been effected by the general de.
preston. Our subscription list and ordna-
ry patronage, has in no way decreased, but
the amount Of money received for subscrip.
ton and work done in the Office has been
very small.
Our future prospects are bright. The
present season is one of almost unparallel-
ed abundance. With the incoming boun-
teous harvest, business will revive. COM
merce and trade assume more cheerful and
lively aspect, the prices Of provision and
the cost of living will be decreased, money
willbecome more plenty and prosperity take
the place of embarrassment. This being
the case, we may safely look for a more rap
i'd increase of our subscription list and pat.
roDage and more prompt payment of mon
eys a. they respectively become due. There
will also be change in politics. The se-
cret order whose dark lantern forces swept
over the State like whirlwind, last year, is
already tottering to it's fall. 1t is to all in
tents, dead. Many of our best citizens, join
ed its ranks at FIRST, but having become dis
gusted with its usages and objects, left it.
The Democracy, of the State, were never in
better heart, than now. As the present cam
paign is one Of more than ordinary interest
80 will it be one of glory to our banner
The opposition ranks are made up OF two
factions directly antagonistic in principle and
practice. IL will be impossible for them to
work together long in the same harness.
And even IL they should succeed ut the Oc-
tober election, one party will neutrslize the
action Of the other, and the rush and strug-
gle for the spoils. will create such war
among themselves that their destruction 10
certain. Had we, M interest in the COM
mon prosperity Of the State. we should Ger.
tainly hops fhsg might succeed especially in
eleeiine thelihgmbers Of the Legislature;
for tie yurest WY . destroy such party is