The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-07-01
dbt 4ortage Smtinl.
IAs. ". sOmERvILLE, Editor.
A Party im Search of Il Platform.

A building without foundation cannot
stand; neither can political party without
principles. When its platform is swept FROM
under it, the organization itselfm become
broken and scattered. This is the unfortu.
rate condition of the Republican party
The Kapsas question is settled. Jim Lane,
the leader of the Free State forces, the
guide and oracle of the freedom shriekers
of the North, has turned out to be not only
perjurer and an adulterer, but cold blood
ed malicious murderer. If the law is per-
mitled to take its due course, few weeks
will see this socalIed friend of freedom
and humanity y suspended by hemp rope
between the Heavens and the Earth.
The hour Of his execution will be happy
one fer Kansas. By his counsels the peo-
pie of that territory have three times re-
mained away from the polls, when by voting,
they had it in their power to establish free
dom forever. By his unprincipled movements
The territory has been kept in state of
constant civil war, when but for him, peace
would have reigned throughout its borders.
Now, that this prince OF agitators is about
" receive his just deserts, what shall, what
can be done for the iailipg fortunes of the
Republican party-a party having its origin
in local agitation and excitement and de.
pending entirly upon these for nUtriment.
This is grave question-not for US, but
for the aforesaid party. Its leaders are cast
ing about for a new name and new plat
form OF principles. They appear to be OF
the opinion that if all the factions opposed
to the National Democracy were once uni
ted, it would secure victory. But how
shall this be done. How can Southern fire
eaters, northern aboitionists, Know Moth
ings, foreigners, Republicans and Danites,
each holding to Q distinct creed, be united on
Une platform and persuaded to follow q sin
gle leader! They are each and all anxious
enough to defeat the Democracy, but then
who shall be generals and who privates-
what flag shall be raised, and what lowered
and how shall the spois Of victory be di-
vided-these are oil matters Of serious dis
pute. The contest is waxing warm between
them. In Pennsy ylvana, the name of RE
publican party" has been abandoned alto
gether; in Connecticut the dark lantern ban
ner is run up to the mast head; in other
States the Ia riff question is sought to be
revived; and SO on through the catalogue,
What blessing it would be il some phiIan.
trophic Yankee could invent a platform OF
principles capable of expansion or Contrac-
ton to suit the different sentiments and views
Of the component parts OF this conglcmerate
mass. II this could be achieved, then each
man could read therein the doctrines of his
choice, while all the balance would remain
invisible. In the absence of such on inven
tion however, we can imagine but one
course to pursue, and that is to form party
whose platform shall contain only single
plank-and that plank--oppositlon to TIT
Democratic party. Upon snch plan, thu
conflicting elements OF opposition nigh
possibly be united. Having formed unioI
upon the plan here suggested, the mex
movement would be to select candidate
Tor President in 1860, who never belonge
10 any Party-who never entertained al
opinion in his life upon any subject, who's
lame was never heard beyond his nativ
county, and as consequence, against whor
nothing could be urged, Ior the simple reu
son that he never in his whole exstenc
has per rfogmed any act worthy of note, hor
Orable Or dishunuble.
We give this suggestion for what it
worth. We cannot guarantee sure victor
to cur opponents even upon this plan Of &C
tion, but in cur judgment, their chunces (
success will be infiteIy better than any otht
which san be suggested.