The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-11-13
Explosion Of Popular FalIncies.

We take the following good article from
the Pittsburgh Union:
The dispos tion to generalIze on few CO.
incidences without regard to the relation of
cause and effect has led political leaders in
to some singular delusionS. The late elec-
tion has scattered some of these apparently
plausible absurdities to the tour winds.
First, there was the old Friday supersti-
ton which led many persons to proclaim
that Buchanan would be defeated, because
his nomination was made on that unlucky
day. 1t would be well for those who placs
their confidence in signs Of this character
t. keep record Of the instances in which
, they fail. A few months spent in the OBJ
servnnce OF such a system would do much
! TO exterminate erroneous impre Isionl which
| too often exercise an unwh 0lesoms influence
| in society.
! In the Empire State superstition is another
Of the popular dAlusions worth noticing
For many years it has been thonlht BY soma
people that New York and the United States
were synonymous, and that no Presidential
candidate could succeed without the elector.
al vote Of that singularly divided region.-
The late result has exploded this fallsry,
and it may perhaps exercise salutary influ-
ence on New York politics hereafter.
Then there was another idea founded on
the experience of'sixtcrn years, that the
administration of The Government of the
United States was bound to 90 alternate
" into the hands of the Democracy end Of
the opposition every four years. This theory
held gond during four successive terms,
but it is now laid up among other wrecked
!. absurdties by the storm which prevailed on
Tutsdny.
Still another prevailing error was ths
opinion entertained Of the political omnipo.
tence and omniscianre Of the New York
Herald. II has generally contrived to get
on the winning side before election, in or
der to crelte bpIiefin its own sagacity and
: influence; but this year it has proved to bs
alike deficient ia pIwer and discrimination.
, 1t labored for severa! months in tho cnuse
, of Fremont, predicted the election Of the
fusion State ticket in Pennsylvania BY ten
Observation-Disclosures that result for two or
: three days in spite OF the fgures-thcn gave
up ali hopes for fremont, but finally on the
morning Of the election proclaimed COM
pete fusion between the Fillmore and Fte-
mont men in Pennsylvania, and renewed its
conf lent prediction that Fremont would be
elected. 1t is only necessary 10 comp are
the result with the Herdld's prophesies, to
exhibit the ridiculous character Of its pre-.
tensions.
We might 90 further md notice the ex
y plasion OF sundry other absurdies equally
0 ludicrous; as for instance the energetic
, campaign tour OF Governor % Robinson snt
the Mayor Of Topeka, two gentlemen with
formidable whiskers. who stumped Fayett,
0 and Greene and increased the Democratic
d majority by talking about themselves il
general, and telling Outrageous faIsehoodf
> about Kansas in particular. The politica
D clergy deserve passing notice, but unless
: they should turn the Governors ThanksgV;
d iuE into day of humiliation, fasting ant
+. prayer, we shall class them only anon!
the minor humbugs of the day.