The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1865-09-14

THURSDAY ,:::::::sEPTEMBER IA, 1865
THE Prospectus" which preceded
the publication, has already given 9
general indication of the purposes O
this journal. In issuing this, our frs,
number, it is in accordance with custom
and proper in itself, that we should pre-
sent more distinctly the views of the
Editor, and the objects sought by the es.
Enlistment of this paper.
We are not so vain as to believe that
we shall be able to accomplish all that is
near our heart, or which the exigency OF
the times require. Our aspirations we
admit are lofty. We have an exalted
idea Of journalism, and of it's capacities
Tor good or evil. A paper located in any
community may be to it an agent Of
light, or an instrument of darkness. It
may disseminate truth, or scatter error.
Aemay foment discord, or it may pro.
mote PEACE. It may stimulate bad
PASSIONS, or encourage virtuous incli-
nations. It may, according to it's course,
prove blessing, or a curse to society.
We shall seek throughout our Editorial
career to prove true to the instincts of
our nature, and to the honor of our pro.
fessioa. The circulation and influence
OF paper in the interior must neces-
earily be limited. It has nevertheless
its allotted sphere of usefulness. and he
vho performs well the part which Provi-
dence assigns him, be 1t upon large or
contracted theatre, is entitled to the kind
regards Of the community which he
eBks to serve.
The civil war which has Just ended
mas ushered ina NEW ERA In the history
Of this country. OF this fact we have q
profound conviction. No National COM
motion probably in the annals of the
world, except indeed it be the French
Revolution, has in so short a time
produced SO marked change in the
thoughts, opinions, social condition, and
destiny of a people. Civil wars have
often proved gigantic steps in human
progress. 1t was SO in England. It has
been SO in this country. The grandeur
of the issue involved has awakened
every energy of the National mind.
Resources, of the extent of which we
were unconscious, have sprung up as if
by magic, from the magnitude of the
struggle. Chronic diseases which for
years have paralyzed the energies, and
arrested the progress of the Nation, have
been swept away by the hurricane of
battle. Discordant institutions have ir-
revocably persisted amidst the conflict of
arms. With the elements of weakness
and disease, moral and physical, thus
purged and eliminated from our system
by the stern ordeal of fire, this Republic,
Ike the tabled Antaus of old, has
risen with renewed strength from the
earth to embark in a career of National
advancement and power, without ex-
ample or precedent among the human
race.
The destinies of the United States are
uuquestlonaply great, and yet let us
remember that high destiny involves
q corresponding responsibility. Placed
now in view of the world as the most
brilliant example of successful Popular
government, let us show that as power
ful and Irresistible as it was in war. it is
not less truly and morally great in Peace.
Let Us show that if in battle we could
exhibit the stern virtues of courage.
naeiity, discipline and endurance. in
feace we have not lost the gentler yir.
tues OF clemency, humanity, generosity
ana magnaninaity.
~ Is not to he supposed that after a
s1uggle in which such mighty interests
were involved, and such absorbing
passions called into action that there
would not be in the inanite variety Of
nmnan opinion some diverrence Of
S1ewa. as to what the future noIicv NJ
nus country should be. Accoro,noIv we
ma thai . class Of politicians er,st
powerful BY ifa 0ruonivo%,o,,