The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-06-03
TO REPUBLICANS.
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN Rooms,
Washington, May s, 1855

Washington, May 8, 1888.
In a few months, nearly every Northern
State elects her members of the House of
Representatives for the next Congress. The
importance, to the Republican Party, of secu-
ring majority in that Congress, cannot be over
estimated. Indeed, it will be almost an indis-
pensable requisite to success in the next Presi-
dental contest Shall we have a working ma
jority in the next House of Representatives
If we are to obtain such a result, it will be
through strenuous efforts on the part of our
friends. We have willy and INSCRIPTIONS
enemy to contend with. They have an army
of thousands at work, in the shape of postmas-
tiers and other officials. Will we remain idle :?
We trust not.
In order that we may have the majority, as
above mentioned, we must secure about thirty
Representatives from the North, over and
above the number we have in the present Con-
gress. There are about that number of Demo
cratic ESQ called) members now in Congress
from the North, who were elected by majorities
under two thousand. Districts thus represent
ed we can and must secure. How are we to
do it2 This question we propose to answer.
One OF the agencies by which this change
can be effected is, by a thorough and free dis
tnbution, In these mis-represented districts, of
such documents as will be best calculated to
bring the judgment TO right conclusions and
the will TO just actions on the great political
question Of the day--the usurpation of the
sIare po,cer, through the servility and corrup-
tons of the Propaganda party. We need
hardly suggest that the present is most favor
able time, In consideration of the chaotic state
OF the dominant party, to accomplish what we
desire. And yet, if care be not taken, this
very disruption of the Democratic party may
prove the destruction of our own party, as
many seem to be relying so confidently in its
inuring to our benefit, that they deem it un-
necessary to put forth any special effort To
all such we say, beware.
Impressed with the importance of flooding
these Administration or Pro-Slavery Congress
siOnal districts, at once, with such documents as
will and in accomplishing the objects we desire,
the National Republican Association at Wash
lngtoD City, which was organized in 1855, sole
ly on the voluntary principle, with no salared
officers or agents, and which published and
circulated some 900 900 of documents during
the last Presidential campaign, have resolved
to take this responsibility and labor upon them
selves, knowing the truthfulness of the old
adage, "that what is every body's business is
nobody's business" In fact, no other organi-
cation has the same facilities for the perform
ance of this work.
Here, at the seat of the General Government,
where the Congress of the United States is as
sembled, we have peculiar facilities for getting
up political tracts and documents, as, also,
through the members of Congress, of obtaining
lists OF names, and having documents envelop-
ed and senttr Of postage, which cannot be al:
forded elsewhere.
We propose, at this time, to devote our atten-
ton solely to those districts now mis- represented
In Congress, relying upon the Republican
members OF Congress to take all necessary
care of their own districts, which, if faithfully
attended to, will impose upon them as heavy
tax of time and money as can or ought to be
expected of them, and the extent of which but
few have any just conceptions.
But, notwithstanding this great amount of
voluntary service brought to our aid in the en-
veloping and circulating of documents, still
there are other heavy expenses attending it,
which must be paid for-such as printing, pa
per, and preparation of documents.
Now, In order to carry out our proposed
plan OF a free circulation of suitable documents
IN n'isrepresented Congressional districts, funds
must be placed at our disposal for that object.
The Administration Party are already at work,
with no lack of funds Each State has its
separate organization in this city, composed
OF Government clerks, (whose name is legion,)
ana upon whose salaries regular percentage
is levied by the chiefs of bureaus, 10 meet the
expenses.
The Republican Party has no such ma
chinery to put in operation, nor do we think it
just and proper that such degrading means
should be resorted to in order to raise funds for
party purposes. Whatever funds may be used
by it for party purposes is the .tree-,oM of
fering of a free people in the free States And
to such we now present our case, and appeal
for funds, to enable us to carry on the work we
have undertaken and in which they have a
common interest.
We hope every Republican or opponent of
the present Administration, whose eye this APP
peal may meet, will consider it personally ad-
dressed to him, and will forward, without de-
lay, whatever sum he may be disposed to con-
tribute, and urge upon his friends to do like
wise.
The cause of Freedom demands prompt and
efficient action in the part of all her votaries.
We need for immediate use $1,000 Shall
we have it2
Contributions may be sent direct to our Sec
rotary, O.. Clephane,) or during the session of
Congress to any of the Republican members.
All contributions received will be duly &C
knowledged. B. B. FRENCH, President
LEWIS CLEPHANE, Secretary.