The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-09-07

ty-but be was an anii-slavery Whig. burn
ing with zeal for human freedom Some
twelve or fifteen years ago. becoming dissar-
isfed, ike thousands Of others, with the ee6-I
cient aetionof all political parties in regard to
the subject of Slavery. he withdrew from ali
participation in party politics, and for a time,
imbibed some Of those views of human Gov
ernment, and of the Americrn Government in
Fpartieuiar., entertained by class of radical
Aboiitionistss in New England, and refused,
even to vote. till the Republican party was or
ganized on platform more nearly meeting
his views Of the exigency Of the contest with
the overshadowing power of Slavery.
It should certainly be matter of no surprise.
and cause for no bitter reproach, that fifteen
painting and burning in the cause of human
rights, and urgent for the general difasion and
enjoyment of liberty; seeing all around them
the stolid indifference in "Church and State"
to the enormities of "tbe sum of all vilianies.''
the pre-eminent crime and disgr ace of the age
lit is not surprising, we repeat, that such
minds thus seeing and feeling and impatient
at the long delay, BY the natural, if not nece :
sary rebound produced by violent resistance,
should have taken what seemed to them, high
| er and better ground, though in fact. as expe-
rience has proved to many Of them, impracti-
cable and non-efieient. 's5 ii'7 .. 3''a 81
We have always endeavored to cherish a
due degree of respect for the personal charac-
ter, and also for the views and actions, Though
deeming them to an extent erroneous) of sir
cere, radical reformers-and have long en-
deavored TO act upon the precept that some-
thing, indeed, mech, should be charitably par
doned 10 the spirit of liberty, in these days of
sharp conflict between freedom and slavery,
between the powers of light and darkness.
Mr.. Stedman is sincere man. Seeing the
error and impracticability of the non-votiue
dogma. he at once flung it from him. We
want no better evidence of bis honest conVic-
|tions. We honor him for his fearless indepen
dence in confessing and forsaking an error a:
soon as perceived. He is not afraid to show
lby his action to-day, that he is wiser than he
was yesterday, that he has gained something
by experience. We honor him, and con6de
1 in him for his manliness. We believe Paul is
} not thought the worse of. for having repudia-
tied the errors of Saul-and yet Saul was a
sincere as Paul Mr.. Stedman is now, ant
for years has been, one of the most intelligent
devoted, faithful and sincere workers il
: the Republican party of the County, and a
: such is worthy to be confded in, and that h'
has the confidence and respect of the party i
evidenced by the cordial manner in which
: nomination was rendered to him in the con-
vention of the 24th nlt.sf 9 a9 i-ia oesys
Scores of others, who had and acted iupcl
!, views similar to those entertained by Mr.. Sted
/ man fifteen years ago, are now, like him, faith
full, efficient and acceptable co-laborers in tn
Republican party of the Country. Shall VT
:, in our common struggles, or shall we rudel.
I thrust them out because of errors, supposed
: or actual in former years2 God forbid fha
we should thrust out such men,. Welcome
~
redeem our Government and country from tn
blight and curse of the crime of slavery
Welcome all such to share in common re.
sponsibility and labors, and to an equality q
privileges and advantages resulting from sue.
f cessful laho's in good cause.
The reputation and fair name of every faith
f poliiicaf co-worker should be dear to ev.
cry other and each should stand by his friend
; I-and thus doing, the shafts of political ca
> Iumpy and aninosity will recoil upon thos
who use them. ! eas s'
Mr.. Stedmau will be unscathed and un
harmed by these, or any similar attempts up
on him, by our excellent and esteemed cotem
porary the Sentinel .7' 9-s '-''f