The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-12-06
PROSPECTUS
Gtatb UOlamt Of Ibt 9atiunal era,
Washington, D. C..

q. BAILEY, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR;
JoHg q. 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 their peculiar issues, have ceased TO exist,
the latter being totally disorganized; the organi-
cation of the former being appropriated as the
machinery of Party DEVOTED To the Cause OF
Slavery, while nearly all that was healthful and
progressive in both has been absorbed by the
Anil-Slavery movement, now organized in the
form of 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
Hence!orh. these Parties must meet eaei.
other face 10 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 tbs
House, constitute It's Committees, initiate and
determine its action will be the first ques-
lions 10 be settled. Next must be considered
the affairs OF Kansas. 4 spurious Delegate,
chosen by fraudulent votes, at a spurious cleo
ton. ordered by an illegal Legislature, repre-
nenting the policy aud interests of Missouri
Shareholders; aud genuine Delegate, chosen
10y the votes of actual settlers, at an election
beld in accordance with the principles of self
government, assumed 10 be- embodied IN the
law organizing the Territory, will demand
admission To the floor OF Congress. At the
Of
SION OF Kansas as a State, in conformity - the
application Of its inhabitants, who, IN Conven
lion assembled have duly formed a State Con
stitution. Add 80 DIS. bill for the admission
oi Oregon as a free State and Congress will
have before ii i series Of practical Questions of
vast magnitude, involving the entire issgs he
tween the Slave Power and its opponents The
struggle viii not ~ confined to that body.
Already commenced among the People, il will
derive new interest from the proceedings in
Congress. AN thoSe Questions must enter ,RI2
and decide the canvass for the Presidency now
opened The next twelve months, then, will
be period Of surprising importance. The
People must array themselves under the ban
ner of Republicanisn, or the banner of Slavery
There can be no neutrality, no evasion, no com
promise. There can he no intermediate par
lies, although there may he sinister faction,
working insidiously for the defeat Of Repubi
canism, and the contin2anee of power in the
hands of the Slayeholdng oIigarchy. He thai
is not for Freedom Is against j..
The responsibilities Of Republicans at such a
moment cannot be too urgently impressed upon
them. The great Question, 20 the exclusion
of al, others, should be made the test 10 Con.
sreSs, ant by the People, on every occasion, a
every election. The work Of organization
ought to be vigorously prosecuted, till every
county and town be fully prepared for the de
eisive struggle.
Above all, the Press should be p,a 81 gciir,
operation. Local and Metropolitan newspa
pers-there ought 10 be no jealousy between
ihem-are alike needed. Republican paper
should be encouraged, and their issues multi
piled. until every man and woman, who cal
read, be furnished with the whole argument 10
Liberty.
To the readers Of tie National Era we ad
dress ourselves specially. IL has fought III
battles of Freedom for nine years, aad is nov
entering IFS tenth campaign. What it has been
twill be. The doctrines it 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
60 questionable expedients to achieve tempo
Eary SucceSS. So long as the Republican Part,
shall continue true to the principles of Civil AM
Religious Liberty we have advocated through
the Era, True to the rights of conscience with
Out distinction Of Sect true 10 all the rights o