The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-08-18
I H { N LAT NAL ERA.
WASHINGTON, D. c.
G. BAILEY, Editor and Proprietor.
d. r. GOoDLoE, Assistant Editor.
j. g. WHITTIER, Corresponding Editor
Vol. XIII. January, 1859.

| VOL. ALL, January, 1903,
The National Era is about to enter upon its
| Thirteenth volume.
| Twelve years ago, when the Discussion o.
the Question Of Slavery was practically pro
hblted in this District, the Era was commenced
Tor the purpose of asserting and defending the
Rights OF Discussion, and Of giving fair eX-
preston to Anti-Slavery Sentiments In the
House of Representatives John Quincy Adams
and Joshua r. Giddings alone gave it moral
support; IN the Senate, it found not a single
well wisher; while outside of Congress 1t stood
here, solitary and unsustained, under ban and
menace. conflict followed in which an excited
populace undertook to suppress ii by violence.
but 1t resisted the storm, maintained It's posi-
ton, and from that hour the Liberty of the
Press was established in the District of Co
lumbia.
Twelve years have passed, and o-day. the
Era hnds twenty an-Jng the most distinguished
members of the Senate, elected 10 carry out the
Principles IT was instituted to advocate, and
the House almost controlled by Representatives
with whom II can consistently and heartily act
! as a co-Worker.
While the cause it has advocated has ad-
vanced so rapidly, am constrained TO say that
the Era, since the advent OF the Republican
Party, has suffered somewhat in It's circulation
| Influential newspapers, once in opposition,
but now united in the same movement, and an
extensive Local Press, unfolding kindred sen
tlments, naturally engross a large portion OF
Republican patronage.
This was to be expected, but still | think
there are good reasons why the Era should
continue to be sustained. Ii was the first Press
TO raise the standard of Freedom in the Capital
of the Republic. For twelve years il has been
Identified with the Anti Slavery movement
and especially represents the Antl-Slavery
element of the Republican Party Although
independent OF mere Party organization, it was
the first paper TO advocate general union oil
the Opponents of the Kansas Nebraska a CT in
1894, IN Party OF Freedom; tool; leading
part III the formation of the Republican Party,
and, while holding itself al liberty TO blame
what IT considered bameworthy has uniformly
VIndlcated 1t as true TO It's Principles. Ii has
never been a burden TO It's friends, never solicit
ed, nor al any time would have been willing 10
receive, any kind of official or congressonal pa
trOnage, has always been Selfsustaining. From
its friends, then, il asks y subscription that
shall enable 1t TO retain position gained by so
much effort, and to continue to weld an mhu-
ence which, trust, has not been eXerted for
evil
The coming year will be a critical one for
the Republican cause. Strong efforts will be
made to demoralze it, and accommodate it TO
the views of those, who, unwilling to support
the Administration, do not yet appreciate the
true nature or objects of our movement Squat
ter Sovereignty, Know Nothingism, Conserva-
tism, National Whiggery, are all working to-
gether for the construction OF platform, from
which shall be excluded the Anti Slavery Idea
that very element which gave birth and gives
vitality to the Republican Party. Can the Era
be dispensed with at such period?
Able contributors have been secured TO our
columns; and with pleasure we announce that
We have engaged as Assistant Editor. DANIEL.
K. GooDLoE, OF North Carolina, one of the
abIest writers IN the country on the Question
of Slavery.
The Literary Department of the paper will
be carefully attended to. The two Stories now
in course of publication, 90 Herman" and
"JGsper," will furnish a rich entertainment 10
our readers, for several months to come.
The Era presents weekly a Summary OF
General News and Political Intelligence, keen
careful record of the proceedings Of Congress,
and Is the repository Of a large portion Of the
most interesting speeches delivered in that body.
@. BAILEY.
Washington, ID. e., Nee. |, 1858.