The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-03-08
DO NOT RELAX YOUR EFFORTS.

A friend, who takes great interest in the cir
culation of the Era, thinking it of much impor-
lance to the Anti-Slavery movement, begs us to
to maintain it. We confess we do not like to
bore them with such appeals, but perhaps we
might as well say, frankly, that were each one
Of our corps of voluntary agents, who have
been accustomed to attend to our subscriptions
in different locations, to send us six new sub
scrlbers, even then they would fail to make up
for the loss of subscribers directly resulting
from Know Nothingsm. The States which have
shown themselves most proscriptive are, Penn
sylvania, New Jersey Rhode Island, Connect
cut, and Massachusetts,.
Does it not look strange that the Anti-Slave-
ry men of those States who have prescribed
us, would rather put down the only Press in
the capital of the Republic, on slave soil, which
reflects the sentiment of the free States on the
Qaestion of Slavery, than have it oppose a Par
ty which excludes or ignores this Question?
We might easily have saved ourselves, if, as
a Know Nothing subscriber intimates, we had
contented ourselves with fully defining OPP
position TO the Order, and then, like some
other prudent editors, abstained from system
attic warfare upon it. But that is not our way
We intend not only to be right ourselves, but
TO bring as many as We can to think with us.
We give quarter TO party which works in
the dark, which seeks to escape public respon-
sibility, which binds its adherents by extra-iu
dicial oaths, which seeks power, while it
avoids any declaration of principles, and de-
mands votes for men set up as candidates, upon
principles and for reasons not communicated
10 the public; party, which aims to introduce
political determinations account of birth
and religion, and whose tendency is to foster
narrow, selfish nationality, and religious big
otry; a party, which in nc. State embraces the
paramount Question Of Slavery, and which is
seeking national power by formally excluding
1t. And now, let us say, frankly and boldly,
We can never tolerate it: we will war against
1t, as we have warred against the corrupt
old parties. We want no trickser in the
next Presidential Chair--no Know Nothing
Sham, put in power on the assumption that
he stands equally well affected towards Sa-
very and Freedom, no humbug with profess
sions of liberality on. his lips, and the virulence
of a propagandist in his heart. But we shall
aim to bring about union of the freemen of
the country in favor Of Northern candidate,
openly committed against Slavery, represent
ing clearly, Enthusiastically, the whole issue be-
tween Freedom and Slavery, so that the battle
may be fought, directly, honestly, without pos
sibility of evasion, deception, trickery, or mis-
take. As the Know Nothings cannot consti-
tute such party, the sooner Anti-Slavery men
renounce it the better
Let no Know Nothing, then, subscribe for
the Era, or continue his subscription, on the
suppostion that we may abate our opposition
to his party We shall maintain the rights of
free discussion--we shall respect the motives
and characters Of those differing from us--we
shall allow them always, as we have done, a
fair hearing but regarding their party as all
wrong, an obstacle to the Anti Slavery move
ment, an obstacle TO all true reform, we shall
neither remit abate opposition to it.
Whoever will sustain the Era on such ground.
let him stand 10y us in this trial hour; for we
must confess we do not intend to be martyrized,
If we can help it.