The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-10-05

Columns OF dDuSe ana calunnl0uS misrepreSen-
tations of Mr.. GARFIELD. and of his views
aud principles. We regret to see warfare
of this character waged against political can
didates on either hand
To deny man his true position, and the
possession of his true sentiments. is as foolish
as it is hase-it is the exhibition OF stupid
folly, that will react with vengeful effect
against the unscrupulous individual or individ-
naIs who resort to it. G
Again, the Sentinel of the present week. is
prepar'ny what is regarded as perfect extin-
gusIer of our Senatorial candidate. and this
too, by the aid of certain dissatisfied Repub-
Iicans. And ere, as this is cur last issne
before the election, we are obliged to antici
! pate this attack npon our Senatorial eandi.
date, and as much in the dark as we are, in
regard to its extent and scope, and real
character, 10 make srch explanations as we
can, to caution our friends, and put them on
their guard, that { ney may he no more deceived
and misled b1 secret enemies. or pretended
friends, Than bv open foes.
First, then, for brief history. It's known
to many. it may not he TO all The Republicans
80 of Portage County. that for some three years
past, there has been fictious movement in the
Township of Aurora. headed by one Belts,
who appears to be nsli,utionally disorgan-
izer-dissatis6ed with all existing arrange
ments, and seemingly determined to ruin what
i be cannot. rule. This faction is composed OF
individuals who have hitherto acted with the
Republican party, some of whom, in time
rast, have been honored with official station,
by the suffrages of the people. These men
are not without personal respectat'ility. but
unfortunately. tbev indulge in feelings of ha-
tired and personal animosity towards their
fellow Republicans in Aurora, and seem to
have taken leave of good sense and propriety
in transferring their township quarrel intooihe
public arena of the County This faction has
endeaeored to override the action of The reg
ularly constituted Republican committee men
of the Township. has called counter meetings,
appointed counter delegations, to contest seats
at County, Congressional and Senatorial Con-
ventions, and with the said Belts at their
head, armed with hat full of manuscript
documents. has filed all our late Conventions
with their croakings neither to their own per-
eaonal credit, nor to the profit of any one.
This faction, having their irregular and M
authorized delegations, very properly, ruled
out of onr late Senatorial and County Nomi-
mating Conventions. resolved to ignore the &C
tion. of said Conventions, and having met in
solemn couclaye, in the township of Aurora
decided to question the Republican candidates
Irrespective of Conventions. or the platform
pom which they nominated their candidates.
They thus stepped out of the Republican or
ganization, set up fac ious movement of their
own, and are henceforth to be regarded as all
Others "enemies, in war, 10 peace, friends"
This faction. having stepped aside from the
regular line of harmonious co operation will
the Republican party, virtually expelng
themselves from our organization appointed
committee to PROFOUND questions to our
Republican nominees. That committee per-
formed the service for which it was appointed
and in dne fine received answers from Messrs
GARFIELD STEDMAN. SANFORD and CoNANT..
Aud now the dninrus fthe faction becomes
fully revealed. A document was prepared,
sneering at the answers of some of the candi.
dates but induIging in a bitter, vulgar, undig
nifed attack upon Mr., GARFIELD, in partieu-
lar. .-......, --. --,..s l..!r5r -.-. 5-3as rr-
The correspondence. and this invective
against our candidate for State Senator, was
presented to us for in-e ftion, in tbe Democrat
but we respec fully declined being the organ
of this Belts Faction, OF less than half a score
of uneasy sore heads Accordingly these I'M
portdnt "dispatches" we're conveyed to the
office of the Portage Sentinel, and are ex-
pecfed to appear in the columns of that pa-
proper than to give them this direction
The Sentinel is the fit organ of this faction
Already, outside Of the Republican organiza-
ii n, fighting against, and slandering onr
candidates, where else should they go The
Sentinel with alacrity. takes them ina
feiow-feeling makes them wondrous kind -
A common object, the defeat of the Repnbli.
can ticket, kpits them together in cordial, uni
ted cooperation. '-1- ~
As the factionsts in their invective against
Mr.. GARFIELD, comment upon his letter, and
misrepresent it, we here insert it entire: s'
r-a HIRAM. Sept. 18th, 1869.
Messrs. LITTLE, JACKSON, &c. .ss..
Dear Sirs:-Y our favor of the h inst is
received. Before answering your interroEa-
tories l will say, that have not pledged, nor
shall now pledge myself to any men or meas
ures, but shall, if elected TO ;be Senate, hold
myself free to adopt any course of State Le-
gislation. which my own Judgment, aided by
the advice of my constituents may dictate,
with this consideration, Irespond to your
queries. ssrz o. .-s.-. a-,- ---=S',,=. .es5
lst.. hold thatit is both the right and the
duty of Congress, under The Constitution, to
hold jurisdiction over the Territories, aud pro-
hibit Slavery and Poligamy therein. ~ a
I'd. If Judge Swan was TO follow the pre-.
cedents of the Federal and State Courts, he
could not have decided differently Bnt his
decision was ia conflict with the Republican
doctrine of State Rights.
With much respect, s' 7
l am, sirs, yours truly, .g -
j.. GARFIELD.
Let the reader note this sentence in Mr.,
GARFIELD's letter, namely: II have not pledg
ed nor shallI now pledge myself to any men
or measures" &c. What Mr.. Garfield meant
hv fhis as he has nersonally exnlained in us