The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1857-12-31
To the Patrons OF the Portage
Sentinel.

To the Patrons OF the Portage
Sentinel.
With this number, closes my connection
with the PORTAGE SENTINEL as its editor.
1t is now three years and half since came
to Ravenns, for the purpose of tdking charge
Of the paper. My separation from 1t at this
time, is iu accordance with a determination
long since formed. Indeed, it was my ori.
ginal intention to retire in August, 1856, but
circumstances were such, and it being just
at the beginning of an important political
canvass, / felt that duty required longer
continuance in the editorial chair. The
paper will now be left in the sole charge of
JAMES W.. SoaERvfLIE, Esq, to whom l
have disposed of my entire interest in the
establishment; and most cordially recon-
mend him 10 the Democracy of Portage
county as gentleman of uranchiug integ-
rity, excellent talents and requirements, and
q thorough National Democrat. Give him
ain earnest and liberal support, and he will,
In return. furnish you reliable political and
family journal.
ltwould be useless for me to attempt any.
thing like review Of the history OF the times
since coming to Ravennu. The fall Of 1854
was the darkest period the Democratic party
ever saw. The temporary but powerful ex.
element caused by the passage of the Kan
sas and Nebraska act was at its height
Know Nothingsm had just begun to under.
mine the foundations of society and govern.
.ment. The Democratic party, only short
time before triumphant in almost every
county and state, was borne down and over.
whelmed. Many of those 10 whom we had
locked as leaders, like craven traitors, went
over to the enemy. Others, who still re.
mained in the ranks, seemed paralyzed and
inactive. In this county, the Democratic
vote was reduced from twenty one hundred
to fourteen hundred. Under these discour.
aging circumstances, became the editor
of the PORTAGE SENTINEL. My humble ef
forts have been crowned with more abundant
success than | had reason to anticipate.
Since the defeat of 1854, the Democratic
party has been gaining new strength and
vigor every day. In Portage county, there
is permanent and reliable increase Of sbout
seven hundred. Three years ego, We had
not a single representative in Congress
from Ohio, and there were but four Demo
cratic counties. Now, we have nine mem.
,bers of Congress, Democratic Legislature
and fifty Democratic counties. Every de-.
department of the National Government is
in the control of Democratic administra-
ton. ] have the fullest confidence in the
wisdom and integrity Of the experienced and
patriotic statesman who now sits at the head
of our National affairs. 1t is true that many
important and embarrassing questions have
arisen since the commencement OF his ad.
ministration. The affairs of Kansas have
engaged large share of public attention,
The mad and reckless schemes of the Free
State party, and the unprincipled proceed.
ings oil the extremists of the South, have for
months and years afflicted that unhappy ter
ritory with worse than Egyptian plaques
And although tn re are, at the present time,
symptoms Of disquiet and disorder, still. |
have the fullest confidence that before the
close OF the present session of Congress,
Kansas will be free and independent
State; the bitter and bloody feuds that now
prevail within her borders will have passed
away forever, and harmony and prosperity
will dwell among the homes of her enter.
prising people.
In regard to Utah, and other questions
clsiming public attention, men of all parties
and sections nearly, agree with the meas.
urss recommended by the President, and
will unite with him in bringing about a
speedy and satisfactory settlement.
The history Of the Democrats party Of
the Union 10 road with emotions of pride
and satisfaction, by every true friend oil
his country. From. the days Of Thomas
Jefferson down to the present hour, it has al
ell times been compelled to battle against
the fercest opposition, and yet 10 every hard
fought contest victory has perched upon its
standard, and its measures, however unpopu.
lar at first, have always in their due time
received the warmest commentator OF the
people. From its past history we prophesy
as to its future destiny. So long as oul
Federal Union lasts-so long as the chill
dren OF the Republic look to the nationa
constitution as stheir sheet anchor aud safe
guard in days of darkness aud danger, SO
long, will the spirit and influence Of th'
Democratic party govern the hearts ant
judgments Of the masses Their aliegianc'
may be shaken by temporary impulse ant
excitemsnt, but, when The second sobe
thought comes. true ss the needle to th'
pole. they ilIturn again 70 the doctrines
of their fathers. r take peculiar pride ID
belonging to the rank and fie Of the grea
Democratic army Of the nation. And
though among the very humbIest Of it
members, trust II msy not be held q
boosting. 10 say that what little inHnencs
plss-ss shsll slwsys b freely offered il
nsa.ussiai0s she great principles which