The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-01-26
THE NATIONAL ERA WASHINGTON d. e, JANUARY 26 1854

!, another great object should be to extend
the circulation of our Newspapers No cause
can prosper, nowadays, without well-sus-
tanned press. In whatever county the Inde-
pendent Democrats and Liberals are strong
enough to sustain a paper of their own, they
should have one. In other counties they should
take paper from some other county, or the
State paper, or both and also, if possible. the
DAILY or Weekly National Era. The first duty
OF every Independent Democrat is to sustain
his local organization and his local paper.
But there are many who can take two-enough
scattered through the State to give the Colunr
ban circulation of from five to ten thousand.
And there are enough in States where there
are no independent Democratic papers, added
to those IN other States who can very well
afford to take National paper, in addition to
the State and local papers, to give the Daily
Era five thousand subscribers, and to the
Weekly fifty thousand. The members of the
Associations, then, should make it great OBJ
ject to obtain subscribers for papers
Another very great object should be to cir
culate Documents. Each Association ought
to have snail library, containing copies of
Giddingss Speeches jays Miscellanies, Uncle
Toms Cabin, the White Slave, and similar
works, and of such pamphlets as Chase's Speech
on the Slave Power and the Compromise de-
ivered March g. 1850, and Summers Speech
on the Fugitive Slave Law, and the like, and
keep them in constant circulation. Independ-
ent Democratic Senators and Representatives
would cheerfully send to such Associations, for
distribution, such speeches and documents as
may hereafter be issued, and seem to be of
USE
Another great object should be to circulate
and obtain signatures for Memorials or Peti-
ticns, such as we have already described.
1t will be very useful, also, to hold frequent
discussions upon the topics embraced in the
Pittsburgh and Columbus platforms Such
discussions will train speakers for the import
ant election campaigns which are approach
ing and will also tend to famiiarize the people
with Independent Democratic views. Il will
be well, also, to hold public meetings and pro-
cure speakers from abroad, when it can be
done efectually.
Ill. THE STATE COMMITTEE AND SPEAKERS
The State Committee has endeavored to per-
form its duties faithfully during the past sea-
son. 1t should be cordially sustained in the
further work it has to do. There is great need
of a series of standard documents for general
circulation. These documents should be care
fully prepared, in pamphlets of sixteen pages,
more or less and embrace brief but full discus
sions of the leading principles and measures of
the Independent Democracy. Such a series,
consisting of thirteen numbers containing al
together two hundred and eight pages, pub
lished semi-monthly, each number complete in
itself, could be afforded to list of four thou
sand subscribers, at thirty cents for the series,
by mail while the several numbers, ordered in
quantities of one hundred copies and upwards
could be furnished at the rate of one dollar per
Tbo 81 30 -. ii
to print such series as early as possible, and
to send out speakers to cooperate in the work
of organization, circulation OF memorials, and
distribution of documents. Four speakers, at
least, should be constantly in the field. These
would receive cordial welcome wherever hide
pendent Democrats live; but they would need
not only compensation for their time, but also
for necessary expenses.
To fulfil the duties which the times impose,
the State Committee is willing to devote its
best energies. But it must have funds To
carry forward with energy tie plan of opera
ton proposed, fund of four thousand dollars
should be raised and placed at it's disposal :;
the expenditure Of which shall be accounted
for, to committee of the next State Conven-
ton. This fund could be raised by q contribu-
ton of less than cent apiece, by the voters
for Samuel Lewis, last fall. True, every one
of those voters cannot be expected to contrib
ute; but are there not enough in the State, Of
liberal and devoted friends Of the cause to
raise that sum, for such purposes! We hope
this contribution may be Immediately made
up. Each sum received towards it will be
acknowledged by the chairman of the State
Committee in the Columbian.
Let US entreat of our friends to be active and
vigilant Whatever your hands find to do do
it with all your might. The enemy is strong
but God, the People, and Truth, are stronger.
The day of small things has past. Let us all
work together with O will, now and for victory
]. H. COULTER,
]. M. WEsTwATER,
L. G. VAN SLYKE,
A. JEwETT,
H. E. PAINE,
State Central Committee