The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-09-15
7 h { N AT NAL ERA.
WASHINGTON d. O.
G. B ALL Ely, Editor and Proprietor
d. R. GooDLoE, Assistant Editor.
j. G. WHITTIER, Corresponding Editor.
Vol. XIII. January, 1859.


The National Era is about to enter upon Its
Thirteenth volume.
Twelve years ago, when the Discussion OF
the Question of Slavery was practically pro.
hibited in this District, the Era was commenced
for 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 II. Giddings alone gave it moral
support; in the Senate, it found not single
well wlsher; while outside of Congress it stood
here, solitary and unsustaned, under ban and
menace. A cOnfiictfollowed,i in which an excited
populace undertook to suppress it by violence,
but II resisted the storm, maintained its posi-
ton, and from that hour the Liberty of the
Press was established in the District of Co
lumbia.
Twelve years have passed, and TO- day, the
Era hnds twenty an-Jng the most DISTINGUISHED
members OF the Senate, elected to carry out the
Principles II was instituted TO advocate, and
the House almost controlled by Representatives
with whom it can consistently and heartily act
as co-worker.
While the cause 1t has advocated has ad
vanced so rapidly, am constrained 10 say that
the Era, since the advent al the Republican
Party, has suffered somewhat in its circulation.
influential newspapers. once in opposition,
but Row united in the same movement, and an
extensive Local Press, unfolding kindred sen
tments, naturally engross a large portion OF
Republican patronage.
This was 10 h expected, but still / think
there ale 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 it has been
Identified WIN the Anti Slavery movement,
and especially represents the Anti-Savery
element OF the Republican Party. Although
independent oil mere Party organization, it was
the first paper to advocate general union OF
the Opponents of the Kansas Nebraska A ct IN
1854, IN Party oil Freedom; took a leading
part In the formation of the Republican Party
and, while holding itself al liberty to blame
what II considered hiameworthy, has uniformly
INDICATED 1t az true to its Principles. Ii has
never been burden TO its friends, never solicit
ed, nor at any time would have been willing TO
receive, any kind of official or congressional pa
tronage, has always been self-sustsiaing. From
its friends, then, 1t asks a subscription that
shall enable Il t0 sesaIn position gained by so
much effort, and TO continue to WELD an influ-
ence which, | trust, has not been exerted for
evil.
The coming year will be critical one TO,
inc TtpuUnCdn cause, l3tlOiiS eflOftS " he
made to demcraliye il, and aceon.,modate il to
the views 81 those, who, unwilling to support
the Administrator" do not yet appreciate the
uue aa1u'~ or objects of our movement. Squat
,cr 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 period2
Able contributors have been secured TO our
columns and with pleasure we announce that
we have engaged as Assistant Editor, DANIEL
r. GoopLoE, OF North Carolina, one of the
ablest 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, " Herman" and
" Jasper" will furnish rich entertainment to
our readers, for several months to come.
The Era presents weekly Summary OF
General News and Political Intelligence, keeps
a careful record of the proceedings Of Congress.
and is the repository Of large portion of the
most interesting speeches delivered in that body
G.. BAILEY.
IVaal:aoto., N n M, 1879