The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-11-13
The PrcsidcntIaI Battle.


Our nation has just passed through one
of the most trying scenes in its history
For the first time since the organization Of
the Government, the Democracy has been
compelled to contend sgaiust two parties,
the triumph of either of which, would bring
ruin and disaster upon the country. In the
South. Fillmore nrrayed his forces in the
line Of battle The black and hateful BAN
ner OF prescription to men on account OF
birth and religion wns unfurled. The prin.
ciple of tolerance Tor which our fathers fought
was trampleG down, aud the very soil where
moulder the bones of the brave De Kalb
was desecrated BY the midnight plOtlings Of
an oath bound order. Here in the North,
a somewhat different but equally obnoxious
political organic alton arose aud flourished.
Here the Black Republican party has sprung
up with agitation as its watchword, and dis.
union as the legitimate object Of existence.
Bounded on the South by Mason & Dixon's
line, leaving out one half OF the States, its
whole aim is to array one portion OF the
confederacy sgainst the other. ln the name
Of freedom, it seeks to deprive the people
OF the inalienable right of self-govcrnment;
in the name Of freedom, it has committed
| murder and OutrSges in Kansas; in the name
Of freedom it openly advocates the dismem-
berment Of the American Republic; in the
name of freedom il eXpends millions Of mon
ey in the work of bribery and corruption;
in the name of freedom it heaps ignominy
upon the graves of the Fathers and openly
SCOTS at the farewell couneels of Washing.
ton.
These two parties, one in the South and
the other in the North, though differing
from each other in some particulars, have
been in fact allies engaged in common
crusade against the Democratic forces. The
election of BUCHANAN is a triumph over
both. 1t is a victory over the enemies o
the Union in both sections OF the confeder
ucy ind when viewed in all its bearings up
on the peace and welfare of the country
ia the nobIest achievement Of tn times
1t is now sixty seven years since the Con
stitution Of the United States was ratified
by the American people. The Democratic
party during that period, has been in powe
more than three fOnrths of the time. TX
its benefcient policy then, may be aItribut
ed mainly our rapid advancement m pros
perity in everything which can make ma
ton free and happy. At the close Of eact
Democratic administration, the enemies e
the party have nude the NEST determine'
and uatiring exerton tp seiza upon the REIN
Of Government. The Presidential battle Q
1856 has been carried on by them with
bitterness and desperation uneqnaled in tn
records Of political strife; Tut they have fail
cd, signally failed. They staked every
thing upon the single issue of blood an
I murder in Kansas. They have not onI!
lost the President; but they have lost thei
good name, their honor, their self-respect
Their corrupt bargains, the|r money, thel
invasion Of Kansas, their hostility to tn
;. Union, their mad rawlings and shrieks an
: faIschouds have availed them nothing -
There is nothing left them but to chang
their name, their principles, their tactics,an
If they be in existence, submit to anothe
: defeat in 1860.