The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-04-21
THE NAT NAL ERA.
/ WASHINGTON ID. C.
G. B Al L Ely, Editor and Proprietor
ID. R. GooDLoE, Assistant Editor.
j. G. WHITTIER, Corresponding Editor.
Vol. XIII. January. 1859.

VOL ALL. January, 1908.
The National Era is about to enter upon its
Thirteenth volume. Nr
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 R. Giddngs alone gave it moral
support; in the Senate, it found not single
well wisher; while outside of Congress it stood
here, solitary and unsustained, under ban and
menace. A cont1ictfollowed, 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 o-day, the
Era finds twenty among the most distinguished
members of the Senate, elected to carry out the
Principles it 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 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 its circulation.
Influential newspapers, once in opposition,
but now united in the same movement and an
extensive Local Press, unfolding kindred SEN
timents, 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 it has been
identified 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 general union of
the Opponents of the Kansas Nebraska Act in
1854, in a Party of Freedom; took leading
part in the formation of the Republican Party,
and, while holding itself at liberty to blame
what il considered blameworthy, has uniformly
INDICATED it as true to its Principles 1t 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-sustaining. From
its friends, then, it asks subscription that
shall enable it to retain position gained by so
much effort, and TO continue to WELD an infu-
ence which, | trust, has not been exerted for
evil.
The coming year will be critical one for
the Republican cause. Strong efforts will be
made to demeraze 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 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 announce tina
we have engaged as Assistant Editor, DANIEL
r. GooDLoE, 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 a rich entertainment TO
our readers, for several months TO come.
The Era presents weekly a 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.
IUoeb;ooIoo n n Mn 1873