The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-09-15

Never perhaps, has there been a time in
the history of Ohio, when as important ques
tious were involved as in the present can
vass, and never perhaps, has there beer
more intensity of feeling exhibited will
men of all political opinions. We are no
surprised at this. We have fallen upol
strange times. Principles, vital to the ex
istence of the Government, are once more
to be weighed in the balance of public o.
pinioH. A party powerful in numbers, with
darkness as a cover and prescription as its
watchword has taken an oath, to wage war
upon the civil and religious rights of large
part of our fellow citizens.
Such being the case, it is natural. that
there be excitement and btterAess, and as
the contest wakes warm, we expect to see
Wen earnest in defense and earnest in op-
position. In this warfare, we are forced by
virtue of our position, TO bear part. From
choice, we prefer to have the contest car
ried on with earn estness and get at the
same time with the kindest feeling upon
both sides. But we are disappointed in
this. We are compelled to engage at times
in personal controversy, in self-defense.-
In this even, we have ever confined ourself
to opponents who are either candidates for
Office (and whose political conduct is le-
gitimate subject OF discussion) or to those
who publish opposition papers. Notwith,
standing this, Our enemies are busy in the
work of slander and detraction. To hide
their own sins they charge upon us, the
wrongs of which they themselves are guilty.
We are accused of "entering the holy
sanctuary of domestic life" and insinuating
crime against the fair names of heads Of
families" This is false. Whose rights
have we invaded? Point to the article or
line ever written by US or with our knowl-
edge, prejudical to the character of any
man, except it be in regard to his political
conduct. We have invaded no mans rights,
-desecrated no mans home, injured no
man in his social or business relations
In the discussion Of political principles we
have spoken frankly and fearessly; in the
defense Of political measures, we have la.
bored earnestly, in the denunciation of
wrongs, we have been at times severe. And
this is all.
But it is said that we make this denial
because we are afraid of closing our card of
admission into "good society,"" Good socie-
ty!" This is too silly charge to need
reply. We have never said auglrt against
the private character of any man to justify
such a statement; and we will only say,
that if we are (Which we do not believe) to
be shut out of "good society" on account of
our political opinions, if doors are to be clos
ed against US because we profess and advo-
cate the principles of the Democratic faith,
we shall esteem it privilege to stand a.
lone. No man values a friend more highly
than oursell; but no sensible person will even
censure us because we differ in politics; and
as for pretended friends we can never spare
them at better time than now. We are
not afraid of an open enemy, but we despise
a secret foe.
But the whole purpose Of these scurrl-
GUS attacks Of the Democrat, is to break us
down in business. For this object from five
to fifteen articles each week, are written
and published to show that the Sentinel is
unworthy Of notice. Committees have also
been appointed in the several townships for
the purpose of more effectaally working a.
gainst US. We don't complain of this. 1t
is not in the poOer Of our opponents to do
US any permanent injury. We make no
pretensions to superior ability; but esteem
ing ourself as the humblest member in the
Democratic ranks, we have yet seen moth
ing in the columns of the Democrat or the
capacity Of its editor to give us any cause OF
alarm. The Sentinel must stand, or fall up
on its merits. If its editorials are so insig-
sntfcant and weak as the fusionists represent,