The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-04-07
IT He NATI0NA ERA.
WASHINGTON d. C.
G. BAILEY, Editor and Proprietor.
ID. R. GOoDLOE, Assistant Editor.
}. 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-
hiblted In this District, the Era was commenced
lot 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 il moral
support; in the Senate, it found not a single
well wsher; while outside of Congress it stood
here, solitary and unsustained, under ban and
menace. conflict followed, in which an excited
Populace undertook to suppress it by violence,
but it 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 lnds twenty among 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 II can consistently and heartily act
as o-worker.
While the cause il 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 its circulation
but now united in the same movement, and an
extensive Local Press, unfolding kindred SEN
hments, 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
oil the Republic. For twelve years il has been
Idenuhed with the Anti-Slavery movement,
and especially represents the Anti-Slavery
element of the Republican Party. Although
independent of mere Party organization, it was
the first paper TO advocate a general union of
the Opponents of the Kansas-Nebraska act in
1854, in Party Of Freedom; took leading
part IN the formation of the Republican Party,
and, while holding itself at liberty to blame
what II considered blameworthy, has uniformly
vindlcated it as 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-sustaning. From
its friends, then, it asks a subscription that
shall enable II TO retain position gained by so
much effort, and to continue to WELD an inhu-
ence which, trust, has not been exerted for
evil.
The coming year will be a critical one for
made TO demeralize 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 Tor the construction OF a 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 anne u ice tina
we have engaged as Assistant Editor, DANIEL
II. GooDLoE, OF North Carolina, one of the
abest 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, L" Herman" and
Jasper" will furnish a rich entertainment &c
our readers, for several months to come.
The Era presents weekly Summary Of
General News and Political Intelligence, keeps
careful record Of the proceedings of Congress
and is the repository of large portion Of the
notwithstanding speeches delivered in that body
G. BAILEY.
Washington, ID. c.. NOE, |, 1853.