The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-05-15
aress MisfiepresenlatIon.

find in the Portage County DemOcrat(i) y
of April 10th, an article headed, "a new ell
ement in Northern Society,"" which contains
the most vile and slandersus misrepresenta-
tions of the principles and objects Of the
Democratic party that | have ever seen ex-
pressed in so small a space.
The article is signed "LibertGs"-some
Latin word suppose land dated MSntua, "A
pril 9, 1856: and hope Mr.. Editor you will
copy it, that your readers may see how De-
mocrats and their principles are misrepre-
sented to the readers of the fusion papers.
And can any one wonder, il those readers
must believe what they there read, that they
oppose the Democratic party. Why, II /
believed What "a "Libertas" states, would be
the most incorporating opponent of de-
mocracy--such democracy as he describes.
The writer of"Libertas," have no doubt,
is the same that has heretofore signed his ar
ticles in the same paper, "BlGke," and dated
dMantua." would not however condemn
Mr.. Blake for his remarks, or admit that the
charges originated with him. That article
is but condensed embodyment Of what he
has, for year or two past, read in the oppo-
stion organs; and which he probably fool
ishly believes. But he should open his eyes
he and his honest partisan friends should
look on the other and all sides, and throw
off prejudice, and they may perhaps be able
TO Judge us and our party more fairly. We
deny that we, as a party, are ''pro-slarery.'
Nearly or quite every man in the North de-
nies it. But because we aVow the princi
pie that each State and Territory shall form
and administer its own Government in III
own way, subject to the Constitution Of th'
U. s.. we are charged with advocating sla
very, with being in favor of the extension
Slavery. Move advocate the Democratic
principle Of popular sovereignty" and hop
and pray for its extension to the ends of tn
earth; and that the people, every where ma.
become sufficiently liberal and intelligent t
always WELD their power to promote justic
and humanity.
This "Lbertas," would havehis reader
believe that Democrats--that the Democrat
ic party, advocates human slavery, and it
extension over our Union-he indeed ha
the effrontery to assert, that this is our ties
principle, which he ought to know is false
We only advocate non Intervention. w
claim to mind our own business, and leav
slavery " here the Constitution leaves it, t
the local authorities Of States and Terrific
5 ries. We see as we'll as others its blightin
effects on the progress Of the. States wher
t it is retained; and feel that the people, bot
black and white, of the Slave States, are tt
: sufferers. And we feelthat if left 20 then
}, selves they will eventually correct the evil
Q as far as can be done consistent with tn
g peace and safety of society where the ev
4 exists. We have no doubt Of that; end tn
n people there must be the best judges of I'll
b best means to remedy any, evils that ma
prevail there. If not, would ask,who sha
Judge for them No true Democrat will a
sumo to dictate the legislation for any Sta
!. other than his own.
Il Before this bitter agitation of the sla'
Q question in the free States, there was
peaceful agitation OF the question. in Il
. States Of Delaware, Virginia, land Kentuck
: and believe in Maryland; and in DeIawa
it was stated in the papers at the time, tn
y there lacked but one vote of tie on Il
e question of gradual Abolition. In the Co
lr stitutional conventions of Virginia and Ke
C tucky, few years ago, there were many a
e vocates of gradual Abolition. But this b
y ter aboliton agitation, has bloc ked the pr
70 gress of National discussion on that que
e ton. People do not like to be coerced
'e those that have no legal or just right to
g. cree them, And they will not submit to
III Indeed, "Libertas" admits, that the pros
p very sentiment is gaining ground even
is the North. If it is, it is but the result
IN this abuse and bitter unreasonable agitatic
is of the subject. U.traism on one side, cal
es ultrasm on the other. "The Massacf
setts Emigrant Aid Society,"" produces
'e counter action on the Missouri frontier
ct The Missourians feel, after Witnessing
IL efforts of the abolitionists of Massachus e
a. to entice awuy their slaves, and to wres,
III gitiyes from the officer having them
BY charge, that these aid societies are bat c.
he spiracies to rob them of theirslaves. Her
ne their counteracting efforts. Angry disc
'r- sion makes no proselytes, but confirms
position. HARMON
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