Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-06-18
" Helm us, or we sink"

0uCl u tlO AAuh Va SN 0
struggling with the waters which threatened
to overwhelm him. And such is oar emphat-
ic appeal to all who feel an interest in the
Spirit of the Age and the objects Of its pub
LEGATION. We have, for some time past, been
telling our readers that the rapid falling off
in our subscription list, unless speedily ar
rested, must result in the failure of the Pa
per. We regret to say this decline still con-
tinues. In view of this state of things, we
took occasion to address a friend who has ex-
perience in the publishing business, and lay
ing the plain state of the case before him,
asked his advice as to what course it was
best for him to pursue. We received from
him the following reply, of which we ask
the.careful perusll of every reader:
DEAR SIR: Your gloomy history of the
present condition of your Paper, makes me
t solicitous about its future permaneney. |
am deeply concerned about it. All that l
have to say--ali that | can suggest, can be
summed up in a nutshell The publication
of a paper like the Age at 81, to say the
least, was a critical experiment. Figures,
that won't lie, tell you that it could liUe by
su~bscrlptlonal receipts of S. 900, and moth
ing less. Now, two courses present you
must either havet5, 900 or more subscribers,
IS OF put the paper up to 50. Think a little
IS upon mts plan: say to your subscribers,
gentlemen, you like the .Age'-you want
1t TO ilVe-we want it to live, but with our
present toe list at 81, it dies. Give us 1000 or
is I,oV0 neu subscribers !; if you will, we will
still publish at 81, If not, we shall be com
PEELED IN self defence to put it up to So
Let them choose. A little figuring will sat
lsty for the policy of this course. 1t costs
near 81 cts to furnish each subscriber with
III the paper: 5000 at that, costs S4,000-leav-
ct ing $1,000 in round numbers. At 50, the
: list would probably fall to $500, perhapsl less,
u say 1900 but your expenses would be very
materially diminished. You see the differ
n ence. Against this you may bring your old
plea of wishing a large list in order to effect
great good in the Reform but let me say,
US and | am sure that you will not accuse me O.
IL falling from grace, that you and your Asso
to ciate have worked hard and honestly for tn,
rs. reform, and for a long time too, and neithe
OF you have got rich either in thanks or lu
ere for it. Ispe0k plain. Now, | propos
- that notice be given of this matter, and
nts you can't commence the next Volume, wit
ma at least 5000 subscribers, that you charg
:, all subscribers received after that 50. Eve
:" If it runs the list down to the little end Q
I'M nothing. Better do this than run yoursel
: o in debt by publishing at 81. Think of tn
suggestion calmly and fguratioely, and forr
! no conclusion rashly. You must do some SC
-: entltic steering now, if you would keep o
Aoh the breakers. [ woHld recommend no matt
rty rial change in the conduct of the paper. W
must keep on slap-whanging the rum devi
a. whether anybody cries out "Lay on McDuf
or not"
'
Now, gentle LAZY, kind sir, what do yc
propose doing for the Age, after reading IL
above If every one will give us their al
by soliciting a few subscribers, we shall soc
the change our lachrymose tone, and discard OF
nce' lugubrious countenance, and become chez
Tue full and bright, as in those days when y,
aVch used to help us in this way. We don't wa
; we our paper to die; and we don't want
we're make you pay 50 for it, if you will give
ltes, enough subscribersto liveat orr nresont rot
lent, Will You notseheeS-our eyeseand encoura
the our hearts, by the constant forwarding
rom new subscribers and the renewal of old on
nIblt We plead for the life of our bantling.
Concerning the proposition of our frie
to increase our subscription price, we kn
- it is nothing more than the paper is wortt
but it is one of the hardest things in t
= world to do, to raise the subscription price
a newspaper. Every thing else may go
: farmers produce, mechanics labor, n
chants's goods-every thing else may
: - vance, but a newspaper price never-if
do, death is almost sure to follow. Howe,
D00n we must try the experiment, if it kills
unless our list is greatly increased.
expenses have been for a long time above
receipts. We are poor, and of course
next not stand this. But give us plenty of
none scribers to sustain us, and we are con
He with present rates. Our present volume
pires in ten weeks. We must determine "
than to do in that time. Send on your do
n his and save us.