The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1860-07-25
The Detection Of Ransom A. Gill
lette.
The Portage County Democrat Of last
week, contains the following paragraphs

The Portage County Democrat of last
week, contains the following paragraphs
Hon. R. A. Gillette, Postmaster of this
village, upon hearing OF the disruption oI
the Democratic party at Baltimore, and the
nomination OF two Presidential tickets, i'm
medistely declared his purpose TO vote fol
Lincoln and HamIin. He expresses entire
confidence in the integrity, the rectitude OF
purpose and the ability Of Mr. Lincoln
He has no respect for the Squatter Sover.
eighty dogmas OF Mr. Douglas and has nc
sympathy with him or his party in their
present positions. A friend Of the Union
he can but look with pain and disupprcba'
tion upon the unputriotic Gvowsls and
threats OF 'the fire eating disunionsis of the
South, so called, and having confidence in
the fidelity to the Union of Mr. Lincoln and
the perty he represents, and in their para
mount regard for the interests OF free terrific
ry and free labor, he openly declares his
purpose to vote for Lincoln and Hamlin.
Mr.. Gillette is gentleman of intelli
gence, extensive information, and ability
he's long been an active, influential ond &C.
knowledged leader Of the Democratic party
in Portage County; has represented by the
sutfroges OF that party this Senatorial Dis
trict in the State Senate ably end with re-
putstion, end may well be considered es O
valuable accession to The party, now adher
ing reliably to the true Jeffersoniau doc
trines and Republican principle OF the
olden and better days of the Republic.
Thousands OF such patriotic and intelligent
gentlemen are now taking their stand in the
ranks OF the Republican party.
1t is quite common now q days, TO impute
mercenBry motive as the guiding spring to
the actions OF men. Mr.. Gillette has not
escaped such imputations. Since his evow.
al OF purpose to vote for Mr.. Lincoln, it
has been suggested that he has an eye upon
, continuance in the RSvennn Postoffice
under the Administration OF Mr.. Lincoln,
/ should he be elected to the Presidency. II
is but Just to Mr.. Gillette TO sey, that he
neither expects, nor wishes the postmaster
ship, after his present term expires, "hethe
Mr.. Lincoln is, or is not elected. 1t i
unnecessary, there fore to impugn Mr. Gil
lette's motives or his integrity Of purpose il
this matter.
This is free county, and in it every maj
is at perfect liberty to vote when and 70
whom he plcrses. The fact that mai
changes his party or his creed is, of itselI
no evidence OF political or moral dishonesty
But there are times and circumstances, whe
change from one psrty to another is con
elusive proof of dishonesty as we'll as cor
ruplion, ard whether the aPostacy of HI
Gillette is of that nature, let the publ
Judge by reference TO few facts.
1t is true, is the Democrat eays, thdt Nj
Gillette was elected to the cffice o. Stat
Senator from this District. The Democrac
did have confidence in him, and they evi
denced that confidence by placing him in al
honorable flee.
In 1854, Mr. Gillette engaged in the mer
cantie business, ard from causes to which
it would be improper for US to blude, he wa
unsuccessful. During the years 1856 Ont
1885, ard until December, 1857, he was ar
ardent supporter of the doctrine of Popular
Sovereignty, as interpreted by Mr.. Dougla las
In December, 1857, being then engaged in
no regular business, he was candidate foI
the Ravenna Post Office. There were sew
eral competitors, but Mr. G. 3 friends pleaded
his circumstances and their faith in his NOR
al integrity. He obtaij ed the appointment
aid still holds the Office. About that time,
for some cause, he became warm advocate
Of the Lecompton policy Of Mr. Buchanan.
Ever since then, he has sterrly stood by the
Administration in all its measures and poll.
cy, and particularly in that having reference
to the Territories. Now, it seems, he has
gone upon the Republican platform.
What has m9de these sudden changes in
Mr.. Gilette's political opinions! Why
should he be popular Sovereignty man in
1856, Leccmpton man in 1857, Slave
Code man in 1859, and an pressible
Conflict" man in 1860? Why should he
change from Popular Sovereignty to Lc.
comptonism just at the time he as appointed
Postmaster, and why should he pass from
Slave Codeism to Abolitionism just OF the
time when Mr.. Lncoln's prospects seemed
TO be Frightening for the Presidency! He
changes from fire eater 10 on Abolitionist
in the tWinkling Of IN eye, and his conver'
sions frcm cne doctrine TO another are more
tu1den and complete than that Of St. Paul
from Judaism to Christianity.