The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-08-28
1879
PROSPECTUS
or THK
Grntb DuIums Of abt 9atiOnaI Ora.
Washington, D. @.

@. BAILEY, EDITOR AND PRoPRIErokj
JOHN G. WHITTIER, CORRESPONDING EDITOR
The signs of the times indicate an approach
inc 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 organ-
cation of the former being appropriated as the
machinery Of Party devoted TO the cause oil
Slavery, while nearly all that was healthful and
progressive in both has been absorbed by the
Anti-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-Slayery.
Henceiorth, 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 its action ?-will be the first queS-
| lions to be settled. Next must be considered
the affairs Of Kansas. A spurious Delegate.
chosen by fraudulent votes, at a spurious cleo
ton, 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 in the
| law organizing the Territory, will demand
admission to the floor of Congress. AT the
| same time will arise the question of the adms-
| sion of Kansas as a State, in conformity to the
| application of its inhabitants, who, in COnven-
ton assembled, have duly formed State Con-
| stitution Add TO this, a bill for the admission
| of Oregon as a free State-and Congress will
have before it 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 People, it will
| derive new interest from the proceedings in
| Congress. All those Questions must enter into
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 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 insidiously for the defeat of Republi-
canism, and the continuance of power in the
hands of the Slaveholding Oligarchy. He that
is not for Freedom is against it.
The responsibilities of Republicans at such a
moment cannot be too urgently impressed upon
them. The great Question, to the exclusion
of all others, should b. made the test in Con-
| greSs, and by the People, on every occasion, at
every election. The work Of organization
ought to be vigorously prosecuted. nll every
county and town be fully prepared for the de
cisive struggle.
Above all, the Press should be put ip dctiue
operation. Local and Metropolitan newspa-
pers-there ought 10 be no jealousy between
them-are 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 National Era we ad-
| drceo ourselves specially. IL 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 1t has urged, the aims
1t has announced are still dear to it, Its course
has been a straightforward one, without con
ceament, without compromise, without resort
to questionable expedients to achieve tempo
rary success. So long as the Republican Party
shall continue true TO the principles of Civil anI
Religious Liberty we have advocated through
the Fra, true to the rights of conscience with
out distinction of sect, true To all the rights of
Humanity without regard to race OF birth, the
Era will labor for its ascendency.
Our tenth volume will begin with the first Of
the new year. We need hardly say that no
pains will be spared TO maintain its position as
a Literary and Family newspaper. We have
on hand several new stories, and the promise
OF one from the pen of MRs. SoUTHwoRTH, To
| commence in the first number of the new
volume.