The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-08-07
DEMOCRATIC STATE TICKET.
C.ose Of the Second Volume.

This number clcses the second volume Of
the Sentinel since it came under our charge
1t is quite customary at the close of a vol
ume TO give brief review Of afTairs for the
year gone by. We shall sGy only few
words in regard to our success thus far, and
cur prospects for the future.
The first year of our residence in Raven
ma, was q year of drouth and scarcity such
as was never before know0 by the people of
Portage County. In the fall Of 1854 also,
the Democracy Of the county and State sus.
tanned most signal and overwhe lining de-
feat. The State was carried by $4,000 ma
iority for the fusion candidates, and the coun
ty,by about 1870. This wGs achieved mainly
through the instrumentality Of Know Moth
ing lodges. Nearly every leading Free Soil
er and Wing in Ohio, and every leading Free
Soiler and Whig in Portage county, was a
member Of this secret, midnight conclave.
BY the binding force Of oaths, and the per-
feet organization and systematic action Sc.
cured by this order, they won victory the
most sudden and complete ever known to the
history of our commonwealth.
But the Know Nothing order was of mush-
room growth. It's decline has been as hu-
m miiating and Sudden as its rise was rapid
and wonderful. Its victory was fraud,
and the men who were leaders in it's coun-
ellis, have gathered taint of fraud, which
will cling to them for years. The proceed.
ings of the Hartford Convention were not
more infamous and disgraceful than the move
ments and measures of the Dark Lantern
order; and the lending spirits of the Hart
ford Convention are not more surely con-
signed to gnominy than will be the names
of the men, who figured in the Know Moth.
ing dens of'J4 ard '55.
But change has come over the political
sky. The Democratic party defeated but
not conquered, in '54, has risen up again
with new strength and vigor. Within the
past year, the majority of the States holding
elections have gone Democratic. Pennsyl-
vania, Indiana, Illinois. Maine, Wisconsin,
Virginia, Tennessee and others, have already
completely thrown off the yoke Of the Dark
Lantern clan. Ohio has done nobly. The
fusion majority of 80 900 in IA was reduc-
ed to $1,000 in '55 for Governor, and $4,000
on the bqlance Of the State ticket. Such a
large gainin one year is certainly most heart
cheering to the friends OF the Constitution.
Our future prospects are bright. The Gin
cinnati Convention made choice of men for
candidates for the Office of Pres't and Vice
President, who have been long and favorably
known to the coun!ry-who are recognized
by all parties as men of distinguished ability
and who are ardent and devoted friends tc
the Constitution n and the Union. No better
standard bearers could have been chosen
none more popular or deserving. Thai
they will be elected, there is not particle
OF doubt. Not only the true and tried men
of the National Democratic party, but the
former leaders of the old Whg party are
rallying to their support. The battle cry o
the CONSTITUTION AED THE UNION is sound
ed along the lines and thousands of brave
and true hearts from all the hills and val
leys of the land, enthusiastically respond tc
the patriotic sentiment.
In political point Of viewthen, we have
nothing to fear but all to hope for. A glo
rious victory awaits lis on the 4th day of mex
November.
In regard to business affairs and our sue
cess since we began the publication of thu
Sentinel, we have succeeded beyond ou
expectations. Our intercourse with the De
m0cracy has at all times been most pleas
ing. No where can be found truer an,
nobler hearted Democracy than in Old Por
tage. They are men of intelligence. The!
have studied the principles and framework
Of our Government. They understand tn
principles of the party under whose banne