The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-11-25


1he mission Of the Democratic party is
not eonfned to the presen,. A President
and Congress are not the end Of its efforts,
but only accessories to the accomplishment
of its purposes. It's principles are never
framed to meet merely transient or local
exigsneies, says the Newark Journal, but
are adapted to the national ends and future
Developments Of the cOuntry's history. The
party Of to day, guided BY the fsr.seeiDg in
Iellect Of its progressive minds, establishes
. platform for to.mOrrow's action, and FORE
shadows the inevitable policy Of q genera
tion yet to come. II anticipates public
opinion, by virtue Of ito practical foresight
in craftsmanship, and its acknowledgment
Of the natural laws, which apply to nations
as well as TO individuals. It accepts the les.
sons Of the past, but only as lights and guides
for the future. ltblindly follows no political
theory or system because Of its plausibility
or abstract excellence. To it has been
committed the progressive developement of
the American Republic, as free, enlighten.
ed commercial nation, whose policy and in
stitutions will inevitably shape and mould,
to greater or less extent, the future destinies
Of the world.
Such party as this must ever be the na.
tional ruling force of the country. Liberal
in its sentiments, rigidly just in its action,
and national in its policy, yet recognizing
and enforcing to the last letter, as Of para
mount importance, the rights OF every cili.
zen and Of every primary community within
constitutional land marks, it marches mag.
ni6cently On TO the accomplishment of ito
great work. Though sometimes defeated
by the clamor Of its 0dversaries-someti
cast out Of power by whirlwind Of po pulur
ngitation--it has never been and never can
De prostrated, until its mission is fully &C.
complished. Like the reverses Of a wise
man, which become lessons Of profit for the
future, the defeats of the Democratic par.
ty have only increased it's numbers and
strengthened its trust in the great fundamen.
tai truths which underlie its policy. By
conflict of local interests and principles the
party may sometimes misjudge itself-it may
err in its transient application or principles;
but the country's history shows that these
Emergencies are like the hills and valles of
our planet, mere excresences which do not
interfere with the business Of it's proportions,
or the perfestness OF the system. 0..
Such party need have no fears Of defeat.
As it is not based upon a temporary policy
Of merely popular expedients, it may 90 into
political retirement with it's armor on, and
in full conviction that the country will de.
mand its services at the fitting time. The
sober second thought Of the people has ever
repudiated the brief experiments of the OPP
position in the national government. And
t will continue to repudiate them while
sectional views and local prejudices actuute
Ind control their political policy. .
In such party as the Democratic mere
PERSONAL fortunes and private aims sink into
nsigni6cance. While claiming the right to
se any Of its true followers for the country's
'ood, it recognizes no leader whose hi. hest
mbition is personal aggrandzement, and
Vho would make the great national political
rganization stepping stone for his own
dvancement, without regard to the usog ges
integrity of the party. 1t is the virtue Of {
,e Democratic party that its fortunes are {
OF committed TO such men and that it is :
Of dependent upon political traders or am
tious aspirants for its continued success.