The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-11-29
PROSPECTUS
Jtntb DnIumt of abs National era,
Washington, D. C.
g. BAILEY, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR;
JOHN G. WHITTIER, CORRESPONDING EDITOl

Is.
JOHN @. WHITTIER, CORRESPONDING EDITOR.
The signs Of the times indicate an approach
ing crisis in the conflict between Freedom and
Slavery. The Democratic Party and the Wing,
with tht ir peculiar issues, have ceased TO exist,
the latter being totally disorganizcd; the organi-
zation OF the former being appropriated as the
machinery OF a Party devoted TO the Cause OF
Slavery, while nearly all that was healthful and
progressive in both has been absorbed by the
Slavery movement, now organized IN the
form of a Republican Party. The one great
Question before the People is, the Slavery
Question; and there are really but two Parties,
the Republican and the Pro-Slavery.
Henceiorlh. these Parties must meet each
other face TO face. The Congress that shall
meet within the next two weeks, must witness
their first national struggle. Who shall be
Speaker - what Power shall organize the
House, constitute its Committees, initiate and
determine lis action will be the first ques-
tions to be settled. Next must he considered
the affairs OF Kansas. A spurious Delegate,
chosen by fraudulent votes, at a spurious cleo
lion. ordered by an illegal Legislature, repre-
senting the policy and interests OF Missouri
Shareholders; and genuine Delegate, chosen
by the votes of actual settlers. AT an election
held in accordance with the principles of self
government, assumed 10 be- embodied III the
law organizing the Territory, will demand
admission 10 the floor vi Congress. At the
same time will arise the question of the admis-
sion of Kansas as Il State, in conformity 10 the
application of lis inhabitants. who, i'll Conven-
lion assembled. have duly formed a State Con-
stituiion. Add 10 this, bill for the admission
of Oregon as a free State-and Congress will
nave before II a series OF practical Questions OF
vast magnitude, involving the entire issue be
tween the Slave Power and its opponents. The
struggle will not be confined TO that body.
Already commenced among the PeoDle, il will
derive new interest from the proceedings i'm
Congress. All those Questions must enter into
and decide the canvass for the Presidency now
opened. The next twelve months, then, will
be a period of surprising importance. The
People must array themselves under the ban
ner OF Republicanism, or the banner Of Slavery.
There can be no neutrality, no evasion, no com
promise. There can be- no intermediate par
ties, although there may BE- sinister factions
working lnsidiouSly for the defeat of Republi-
clnism, and the continuance of power in the
hands Of the Sayeholdmg oligarchy. He that
IS not for Freedom Is against It,
The responsibilities Republicans at such a
moment cannot be too urgently impressed upon
them. The great Question, TO the exclusion
Of all others. should be made the test i'm Con
gresS. and 10y the People. on every occasion. at
every election. The work Of organization
ought 10 BE- vigorously prosecuted, till every
county aud town be- fully prepared for the de-
crsive struggle.
Above ali. the Press should be put IN actipe
operation. Local and Metropolitan newspa-
pers-there ought TO be no jealousy between
them-a4- alike needed Republican papers
should be encouraged, and their issues multi
Piled. until every man and woman, who can
read, be furnished with the whole argument for
Liberty.
To the readers of the .NalioRal Era we adj
dress ourselves specially. 1t has fought the
battles of Freedom for nine years, and Is now
entering its tenth campaign. What it has been
ii will be. The doctrines il has urged, the aim.
II has announced, are still dear To it, Its cours,
has been straightforward one. without con
cealment, without compromise, without resor
10 questionable expedientS to achieve tempo
rary success. So long as the Republican Part,
shall continue true to the principles of Civil anf
Religious Liberty we have advocated through
the Era, true to the rights of conscience with
out distinction of sect, true to all the rights o
Humanity without regard 10 race or birth, III,
Era will labor for lis ascendencv.
Our tenth volume will begin with the first o
the new year. We need hardly say that n,
pains will be spared TO maintain its position a
a Literary and Family newspaper. We hav,
on hand several new stories, and the promis,
of one from the pen Of Mrs SoUrHwoRrH. I.
commence in the first number of the new
volume.