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New National Era from Washington, District of Columbia • 2

Publication:
New National Erai
Location:
Washington, District of Columbia
Issue Date:
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2
Extracted Article Text (OCR)

NEW NATIONAL FREDERICK DOUGLASS, Editor. CoMiwhitteM for tho IditorUl ahoold be ddroaaed, Editor Now HfttlOMl Ert, Lock lot 91. Basin mo letters and cooiaanicattooa from oabocrlbero and adTuithM! ohoeid Paklubon ttoaal Era, Lock Box SI. Thio paper to not responsible for the riew? exprwe 1 bj Oorreepvn ec to. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1870.

Nr. TkOMM Dowolog at the Boot on. Office, io for the Stw KtffOXil Ext. Mr. Lewie ftteTraxna in a duly Oeueral for the Naw National Eka in the Bute oi The Change in our Xame.

It will b-6 that we have this week chanp ed the name of this paper frotn New Era to New National Era. This change is made mainly, because there are so many in the country bearing the same r.aue. The ad dition to our title is, however, highly appiopri- ate, and the new name more clearly describes the true character of our journal. The field of our labors is as wide as the limits of tho nation it is our aim to speak to and for the people of the whole land rather than of any particular locality, and to make the National Era a national journal in its truest and broadest sense. Read! Read! Subscribe at once.

Remember the New Natkkai. Era will be sent until November 24th for fifty cants. Every week you wait you loose one paper. We call upon our everywhere to interest themselves in procuring and for ward subscriptions to the Nkw National Era. A Kiltie effort of individuals in the localities where they reside can be made to aid us inut' riai.y 1 Now is the time to make the effort, as the fali campaigns are approaching.

We aho want to be furnished with the names of responsible parties to act as agents in any the States or Territories. I Address to Correspondents. Both to you and to onr readers wo would secure the largest advantage. This can only be accomplished by accuracy oi' detail and 1 brevity of determination of ail ihat each shall be beard. The country is large.

1 tbe paper is small; to accommodate ail, to hear from all, so that the New National Era may be trnly national, each correspondent should Lot him to mv in the fewest words i nnj wv mv sible. As a general rule, it were better to oiuit all elaborate description of geographical, toi and climatic conditions of the locality from which you write. These can be lea rue 1 from other sources. Omit 44 that you have the 1 honor be a subscriber to your valuable, ably conducted, influential, widely-circulated, eele brated, journal," or other like 1 igb sounding praise. Nothing is so convincing a- facts.

Truthxeeds no exaggeration. Give ns yonr own proper name and the name of tin pent office, county, and State. Write plainly 1 hose who send us subscribers will have first attention. All comnjanicatHMis intended fui publication most be directed to Frederick dorolass, Editor of the National Era," 1 Washington, D. C.

The editorial columns of the New National i Era have a more pcr-onal character this week they msy be expected to wear in the future. The first words of an orator and the firs number of a new paper are usually in the na- 1 ture of an advertisement. The usage may not be in the best taste, but we hope it will escapr i undue censure, especially the offense will not be very soon repeated. Campaign Hew National Cents. The great importance which attaches to the result of the approaching Congressional elec tions.

makes it desirable that the Nrw National Era should have as wide a circulation us poss: we have therefore determined to offer this paper to subscribers fnm this time until the 1 24; of November next for fifty cents. Those mho bend on their subscriptions promptly will there'ore reeeive the paper near!) funr months for half a dollar. Subscribe at once; remember you mcet one copy less for every wetk you delay. to committees a campaign clubs. We furnish the New Natioxal Era to Re publican Kxreutive and Campaigi- Clubs at $20 per thonsand ct-piee.

In localities a more effective campaign document cannot be circulated. Subscription Price of the New tiooal Era. PAYABLE IXVARlARLT IN copy one yew $2 6c i copy ux 1 2: 1 copy three months 5 copies one year 10 5 copies six months 5 11 copies one year 20 00 10 copies six monies 10 i Do not delay subsciibicz. If it not conJ eoient to subscribe for a year, nd $1.25 foi six If it cost a little personal the investment will pay. To prevent all money in Post Ofrct Orders.

Registered Letters, or Draitfc. All Fori masters ape oblioed to register letters riql'estel to lo so. Tbe fee for registering in fifteen cents. Address? PabUtbcri Era, Lork Box So. 31, C.

Tbe Union Congressional RepuMiean Executive Committee. i The organ irstion of tbe Union Congressional Republican Executive Committee in as follows. Republican papers throughout the country aid tbe good cause by copying the list of tbr officers of tbe mmittee: Hon. Henby Wilson, Chairman, Bon. as.

H. Pun, Secretary, Hon. Simon Cameron, Hon. Zachakiab Chandler, Hon. B.

P. Rice, Hon. Fked. A. Sawyer, Hon.

John A. oak, Hon. John H. Ketcbam, Hon. Aauox A.

Sakcext, 'Lonu. J. H. Aas't Secretary, William S. Hcminoton, Treasurer, All communications should be addressed to Don.

Jas. H. Platt, M. Washington, D. C.

Send on Yocr receive a great many letters, saying that several subscribers have been obtained, and requesting us to forward the papers, and they will remit as soon a certain number of subscribers are procured. We keep no book of account with subscribers, and cannot send any paper until the xnoney is received. Our friends should seed the names, with (he money, just as fast as they are obtained, to prevent dissatisfaction on the part of the subscribers. Salntaforj. To the readers and friends of the National Era May it meet your approval! To-day we enter into new, and I trust, lasting and mutually beneficial relations.

According to arrangements, already made and duly announced, I have become, both in a pecuniary and a moral point of view, closely and actively connected with the New National Era. As editor-in-chief, and part proprietor of this journal, its character and usefulness will largely depend upon my own exertions. What I can do to make it an honor and a help to the newly enfranchised millions whose organ it will in sonic sense he made, shall be freely and faithfully done. Of niv feelings in venturing upon this new and responsible field of labor. need but little.

While 1 come to the work willingly I do so with 110 high confidence in my ability to discharge its duties with credit. I am encouraged, however, hv the consciousness that whatever may be my deficiencies as to ability, either as respects skill or judgment, 1 lack neither the will nor the purpose to serve the cause of our people. To those who know of my thirty years of active service, my steadfast zeal and perseverance will be granted. It has been a cherished hope of mine, since the abolition of slavery, that out of the tumultuous waves of the grand revolution which is not yet ended, some new man(at any rate newer than myself) full of youth and vigor, thoroughly alive to the great interests of our newly enfranchised people, would arise and establish here in the Capital of the nation a large public journal, which should in some measure serve as a banner on the outer wall of our liberties. No such man having yet appeared, I have been persuaded to undertake the work.

With your sympathy, aid and co-operation 1 believe the New National Era can be made -uoh a journal as above described. But without your assistance the paper may perish as others have perished before, and ts failure may be cited as another proof of die colored man's want of public spirit, enterprise and capacity. To prevent this, we tinve a common duty, but different offices. It is mine to make the paper orthy of support, and yours to give your good will and 1 reasonable effort to extend its circulation. 1 trust you.

Do not doubt me. Let the of the New National Era shine nto the most distant and darkest corners the Republic. It will cheer and gladlen the masses. It will increase self-reliuice, self-respect, self-help, inspire our men with manly ambition, lift them a higher social level, and lead our whole people onward in the pathway of civilizaion. But here I need not stay to say more, rhe aims and objects of the Nnw National Eka may be read elsewhere in its They comprehend the whole circle of moral, social, political, educational md material interests of the newly enfranchised citizen.

To the work of promoting heee high interests, I am moved not merey by ordinary considerations. The very lepths from which I have come furnish appropriate motives. I do not forget that hirty-two years ago I was a slave, within in hour's ride of this very Capital where I low am. I do not forget that on the vharves and in the ship yards of Baltimore, studied my first lessons in spelling and my first lessons in writing. From fhe 1 learned to read, and learned the ralue of knowledge, it was among the deepest and sincerest wishes of my soul, the deliverance of my people, not only from the terrible bondage of slavery, but iom the more terribie bondage of ignorince and vice.

This sentiment has lost nothing of its rigor by long years of active service. Those rears of labor have onlv served to increase ind intensify the desire to do yet more in he same cause. In the discharge of my duty as an editor cannot hope to meet the views and wishes )f all our readers and friends. Owing to i diflVrence of antecedents, education, local circumstances-. personal preferences, and prepossessions, other differences may arise.

All I ask is fair and candid consideration it points where we shall differ, and cordial support in the objects where, we shall igree. I a--unie, at the outset, that no man will ook to this journal, so far as I am concerned, for any merely selfish utterance as race, country, or color. To former lave I say, I too am a former slave to he colored man I I too am a colored mac and to the Indian, Mongolian, Caucasian, to the men of nation, kindred, congtic, and people of all latitudes, longiudes, and altitudes, I say, that I too am a nan, and would scorn to demand for the men of my race a single right or privilege hat I would not freely grant to you. nv also say, that no man need expect anything from my pen of a sectarian character. All who labor to lead our people out of the wilderness of social, moral, i jmol nvilc 4uu ilJ iioy vi uaicui I vHglUU? opinions, will hailed here as 41 countrymen, clansmen, and brothers beioved." We shall deal with the known visible interests of our people, and aim promote them in every possible proper way.

Here is ground broad enough for all reasonable men to stand upon. The ignorant, superstitious, and bigoted who lose sight of the fact that men have to live as well aa to die, may quarrel with this liberal platform; but such men are exceptional, and will ultimately follow the line of progress here as elsewhere. I have spoken thus far especially to colored men and women; but the New National Era must become an object of interest to our white fellow citiiens. Inevitable events have linked the two races indissolubly. We are henceforth to fall or flourish together.

Here is one motive for interest of all in each, and interest of each in all. But higher still: Every white man and woman who has had one pulsation of sympathy for our long oppressed and persecuted people, must wish well to our journal, and feel a desire to assist in making it efficient and successful. I have no hesitation In asking the aid and sympathy of all such. The white people of this country can never do too much for us. If they should put a schoolhouse at every crossroads of the South, supply each with a teacher, and subscribe and pay for a copy tj, of the New National Era to be sent for three years to every colored voter, they a would not cancel the debt contracted by the long years of slavery and suffering of this people.

The safety and prosperity of the Republie depends upon the intelligence of colored voters, and this fact will be kept in view; but let no man, however, expect to find the colored man, in the columns of the New National Era, treated simply as a politi- cal element, as a body of voters, which may th be so manipulated as to turn the scale in favor of this or that party, or this or that partisan. Important as it mnv be to hold I 10 up to view and press upon the attention ot the colored man the principles hich should guide his political action as a voter, it still more important to keep constantly he- pC fore him those other great and vital princi- pies of conduct which concern him at every step of his life, and which arv essential to 01 his highest social well being. i These remarks have already goue beyond their intended snare, and vet. as is usual in A such utterances, they are still incomplete. in I will end them simply bv giving you my to heart and hand, in spirit at least, and by asking your hearts and hands in return.

sa Let us stand united in the maintainance of n'. I those groat rights and liberties recently ac- 1 quired, but at the cost of veais of effort, 1 co and through terrible loss of blood and nj which all the experiences of the rape and all history teach us fo can only be kept secure in presence of he- re roic virtue, unceasing exertion, and eternal cx vigilance. Frederick Douglass. ZZ The War in Luroite. Though the fortunes war have gone against her, the defiant invader and aggressor has become invaded, and is fightingon thedefensive-thoutrh repulsed, defeated, and cut to pieces in nearly every battle, and though her grand armies have surrendered, her garrisons capitulated, and her Emperor is a prisoner in the hands of Prussia, 'l i Fiance madlv in-ists, in this the moment of her 0 deepest humiliation, upon continuing the war.

For the sake of her woe-smitten people, and of humanity, we earnestly hope that wiser counsels will prevail, and that this brave, gener 111 us, and progressive people shall be saved the further eifusion of blood. A war, causeless, ori meaningless, and simply murderous at the be- pr ginning, cannot become innocent or defensible or by continuunce. The Imperial ruffian who pluuged his country into it, is now in the ''J of the Power he defied and assaulted. Let him suffer. France has no business to bleed to re lit trieve his murderous missteps.

ILs downfall should be the signal for instant peace. All the at great nations should now stop in and demand er thut the blood of the people shall cease to flow, pu ind that the heart of Europe shall no longer be fl afflicted with the terrible agonies of this most fo! atrocious war. Let not a noble nation be al wc lowed to commit suicide. She has done much mi for human liberty and civilizition. Let no man values these rejoice in her calamity, St though all see that the punishment of her nr ruler is just.

Gt In the iight of this horrible war, hatched in the I If nest of crowned ambition. Americans should feel in happy in being citizens of a Republic. No Presi th lent has any such motive for disturbing the G( peace of the world as seems constantly shelter- th ed and stered under the crowns of these Divir.e an right kings, and even if there were any such th motive, the people, who are to bleed and to pay, inf have the power in their own hands, and they th know how to use it. Our Government has its re defects. It is too monarchical in several im- mi portant particulars, hut it is too largely in the de hunds of the people for events to happen here in any sense analogous to what now ha' peucd between France and Prussia.

The people over there have been sheading their blood the (ja simple convenience and gratification of their se, sings. At best it was a prize-fight of nations as which was the stronger. The Spanish Throne, and who should sit upon th it, bad nothing to do with tho war. Leopold, So and every other Hohenzollern. was out of the an way.

Napolfo.n fought only because bethought ex himself prepared to fight, and able to whip his tir antagonist or r.val. He was mistaken, md is ye himself beaten, and though we have no nu 'o shed over Ms downfall, we have certainlv no jqv in the triumph of his crowned conqueror, ihe sooner the world is rid of all these crowned i excresences the sooner will peace on earth and good will toward men permanently prevail, When will men become their own rulers, their 11 own teachers and preachers, and turn adrift the plotters of division and strife in the world? se Condition of the Sow York Colored 1C 18 Id the New York Colored Labor Convention, at Saratoga, the Rev. Mr. Butler, in answer to St some speakers who had advocated humility, care and attention in the performance of work, said that humility was very well, and had been Spracticed for two hundred and fifty years bur th the colored people gained more in a short time by taking and shooting rebels than did by long practice of humility. He th said that out of three thousand five hundred w' colored voters in New York city, one hundred se and four were shoemukers, one hundred were mi engineers, and over eighty were carpenters, ch with other skilled mechanics, a majority of wl whom were kept cut of trades work from clas- co prejudices.

One skilled engraver was obliged to work as a waiter, because other engravers re- tii fused to work with them. The report of the Li committee on financial questions state that out se of the rnonev deposited in New York Savings fa Banks, it is estimated that $4,000,0 belonged tu to colored persons. Through the freedrneu's la savings institutions $13 000.000 have been 9aved tii bv colored persons, while the same people id the South have expended $11,000,000 for busi- ness and social How we are Benefited by the War. ha Our commerce begins to rapidly revive. New fir Yorkd ispatches affirm that the number of arriv- q'J ing and departiug vessels, from and to foreign wi ports, is almost upprecedented, and has fairly a touched the highest point ever attained, even is before our civil war.

vessels come to mi our shores to purchase und carry away cargoes to of American produce and the effect of the re- Tl viral of our commerce is to stimulate the price? I tu of our agricultural products, and of our man- pc ufactured articles suitable for export. Yet I ju Democratic platforms drawn by men blind to he I passing events, or iguorant of what is trans- ed piriug in their own country, ta t.tuily of ag "the destruction of our commerce," "the pros- an tration of our agriculture," aud "ihe ii.creas ou ing stringency of our financial affairs," at the rij very moment when our commerce is becoming wi larger than ever before, our agriculture is of flouribhing prosperously, and our financial af- in, fairs are in admirable condition an Sever to be Forgotteu. There is one fact, yea there are many, people of this land should never for a moent forget. But we will now only enumerate ft w. The first great truth which the people should ep always in their minds is, that the coppered Democrary of the nation begun the late ar without the slightest cause, and for the of extending and rendering perpetual foul curse of slavery.

The second truth which the people should reember always is, that in this cruel, causeless, irked war these rebel Democrats slaughtered quarter of a million of brave loyal men, more an thirty thousand of whom were colore en. The next truth is, that they wounded and sabled a quarter of a million more of brave yal men. The orth truth is, that they made lull a iliion of widows and orphans, many of whom dependent upon the Government for The fifth truth is, that this infamous- rebel ar has cost the people ulreudy four thousand it lions of dollars, and will cost uearly as much ore in interest before the debt is extinguished. The sixth and most disgraceful fact is, that ese same rebel Democrats, who have brought i this prImiti iv ntmn iKn notion. are -r" to the people whom they have so betrayed restore them to power again.

These shameless rebel conspirators are not with their tirst rebellion. They have killed enough loyal men, made cripples and dows and orphans, nor cost the people enough They ask for another chance to acmplish their purpose and destroy the Governlent. Will the people give thein this chance? Bite they answer this question let them fleet upon the facts we have stated, and dee whether the men who saved the Union or men who are to destroy con)1 the Government hereafter. lie lleresj of States Rigbtfi He- viewed. 7 1 The treasonable doctrine of States Rights ls been revived by the rebel Democracy of composed solely of traitors, and inso- ntly proclaimed to the world as the chiet ank iu their platform.

These rebel couspi- tors recently had the temerity to hold a State uvention, and to declare that they are re- lvcd to sink or swiui with the doctrines ol ate Rights as understood and maintained fore the rebdhon. Thev then set forth their tainuus creed That the Democratic party of the State of stand upon the principles of the Demoatic party of the Union, bringing into special ominence, as applicable to the present extradinary condition of the country, the un- 0 angeable determination that this is a Union States, and the indestructibility of the States, of their rights, and of their equality with ch other, is an indispensable part of our poical system." These traitors and their Democratic assoei- 1 in other States rebelled against the Gov- 9 inuent, and waged a four year's war for the irpose of establishing the Calhoun heresy. icy were ignominiously defeated in their ef- rts, and the nation fondly hoped that they 5 iuld abandon the doctrine. But the people 0 list soon wake to their mistake. These traitors still proclaim the right of a i TT are to wiuuiraw trorn tne union at lis pleaso.

or to set at defiance the authority of the ineral Government whenever it may choose, ever the rebel Democracy of the South again ragine themselves strong enough to destroy Union and revolutionize or overthrow the they will make the attempt, and eir Northern allies will give them all the aid comfort they dare. We are glad to see that New York Tribune, which has lent all its Quenoe to the Georgia conspirators and against has at last discovered their al character, end is disposed, though very ildiy, to rebuke them for their treasonable signs. 4 Ilig Humbug. One of the most palpable humbugs of the is the American Colonization Society. Ir ems to exist only to provide places fur a few tediluviau politicians.

A few facts will show glaring a humbug, if not shameful fraud, Society has become. Since May, 1868, the icietv has sent to Liberia 160 men, women, children, at an expense of $7,965.68. The pense of drumming up these emigrants, omitig expenditures from May to the close of the ur 186S, was. in 1869, according to the anlal report for that year, a9 follows daries for three Secretaries $8,500 00 msiou to one Secretary 00 one stipendiary, the Rev. Dr.

Jos. Tracy, of Boston 500 00 agent to look after the Society's vessel 1,000 00 aveling expenses, 1,862 73 Makiner a total of S13.062 73 Taking into consideration that the Society nt in the year 1861, in five expeditions, 55 62, in two expeditions, 65 1863, in one exdition, 26 and in 1864, in two expeditions, ly 23 emigrants, at an aggregate expense of cretaries' salaries alone of $32,744.44, withit the other incidental expenses, while in rmer years, at an outlay of from to per annum to Secretaries and Agents, official record of the Society shows that in eh year between 600 or 700 emigrants, in five, and seven expeditions, were sent to Liberia, question arises Why is it that in years hen large numbers of emigrants were nt, and the work must necessarily have been iich greater, the expense for running the rnainety was considerably less than in the years len very few, comparatively, were sent, and, nsequeutly, the work correspondingly lessen, the expense has increased more than six nes? Leading men of Liberia say: 44 If iberia is to be built up of the material lately nt by the American Colonization Society, the llmg back of Liberia into barbarism is inevible. Most of the emigrants sent within the st few years are more ignorant than the na- ires themselves.1' Polygamy. The great debate at Salt Lake city between i Newman, and Elder Pratt, seems to ive ended just where it was evident from the I 6t, it must end, and that is, it leaves the iescion of polygamy just where it found it, nhout having wun a single adherent or made single convert on either side. The polygamist a polygamist still, and the monyganaist is a ouagamist still.

Polygamy like slavery, is not be disposed of by quotations from the Bible, ie slaveholder was never at a loss for a scrip- ral text in support of slavery. He could i tint to patriarchal example, and apostolic in- 1 nction and have a "Thus saith the Lord" for I tiding and flogging as many slaves as he pleas- It was text against text, interpretation 1 against Bible? men were, at last, left where they always ight to be left, to judge for themselves, what is and what is wrong. As with slavery so th dygamy. It must be brought to the bar nason arid of science. The whole advanc- force of civilization, culture, refinement, moral purity must be marshalled against it.

i Colored papers. A TALC WITH DOCBTFCL. There are many colored men, end some white ones, who seem to consider it a merit to oppose very enterprise in which colored men take a conspicuous and leading part. It is quite easy to account for this, but not easy to justify it. Color has long been treated as a crime in America, and it is still in many mind9 the badge of inferiority, destitution, and of servility.

A colored skin is associate with all these and nany other undesirable things, ard from which nen shrink. Even those who wear the bated complexion share in the general sentiment of iisparageraent of that complexion, and en i leavor to ignore almost deny altogether. But alas fur such superficial luuls facts are facts, and no subjective mental whether of faith or of hope, can change them. Black is black, and white is a bite, and there is no denial of fither. The error on the part of those who try tQ get id of the actual, and the inevitable, is less of he heart than of the head, and should, thereore, be dealt with in a friendly spirit, and with i he weapon? of reason rather than those of "eeliug.

In such friendly spirit we wish to 'eason with 1hose who object to newspapers by colored men. For the sake of a air statement on both aides, what we have to my shall be placed in the form of a dialogue between Objector and Progressive. Objector I am opposed to anything and iverything to which color is either a prefix Miflfix, and hence I am opposed to colored i lewspapers, and everything of which the idea )f color is an element. qressivk: Please define what you meau a colored newspaper Objector: 1 mean papers or journals that ire established aud maintained by colored men md in the interest of the colored race. I be ieve in perfect huwau equality.

Progressive: In this I think you mistake he requirements of your own principle of quality. You attach the idea of color and to a newspaper simply because it is esablished and conducted by colored men. Arc tapers established by white men in any degree ess free from caste thau those by colored men it fair to stigmatize the efforts of one race )y their color, while no such thing is ever hought of in connection with the efforts of the ither and more fortunate race? The New York Tribune and the New York Independent are lue to the industry, enterprise, mental and oral power of white men. Are they not white )apers in the same sense in which the 44 New National Eua" is a colored paper? and if! lot, why not? Objector There is a difference. The great of the people of this country are white, ind they have been pleased to abolish all disinctions on account of race or color before the aw and at the ballot-box, and I am opposed to sverything which looks like keeping alive those ibsolete and unholy distinctions which are a of a by-gone system of wrong and oppreslion.

Progressive You are quite right in opposng all distinctions founded in malice and prejulice. Such opposition i9 the mission of what 1 are pleased to term colored newspapers, md. to my mind, no agents are more effective a 1 1 I mis worK id in are just sucn papers, But listinctions fouuded ia malice und prejudice to one category those founded in naure belong to another. It is wise to war against he one, but foolish to war against the other. Objector: I know that white is white, and hat black is black, and I am not so absurd as lose of this fact; but what I contend or is, that this fact should not en'er into the dea of the efforts and euterprises of either va iety of the human race.

What we do should )e done as men, not as colored men. Progressive: Very good; but how can wc lelp it There are black and white people in his country the former have been degraded, leld as slaves, kept in ignorance, denied all of gaining wealth or education, while he latter have beeu the privileged class. We, he blacks, are regarded by this people as an nferior race, though the laws regard ua an equals. We are in question. People will hink of us and speak of us ami act toward us is a peculiar variety of human family.

How an we help it? Objector You need not, at any rate, make fact prominent and ever-present by forcing he distinction upon popular notice with your newspapers and other colored enterprises. Progressive Ihere comes in your usual of statement. The colored newspapers hat I have been connected with have had no iuch object or tendency. They have been es ablishcd in the interest of Justice, Love, and rruth and if these high objects are lost sight by our men will persist in seeing JIllV Uur I'Uli'l, auu iu iciuoui? iv ocr till rinciples, which are of oo color at all, it is heir owii fault, not ours. Objector: I am conscious of no unfairness statement.

You do claim patronage and iupport on the ground that your paper is in lome sense a colored paper. Prooressivk: Yes, iu some is he important point in the case. In the sense hat such papers tend to such an improvement the character and attainments of the colored people as shall ultimately destroy the disparity, ind obliterate the distinctions between the two aces. The sentiment which would deny us the ight or in anywise discourage our publishing lewspapers, and wielding the mighty power of press because ve are colored people, would jrevent our building ships, houses, bridges, ailways, wagons, wheelbarrows, or anything because such ships, houses, bridges, railways, wagons, and wheelbarrows built by men would be no less than colored newspapers associated with the idea of color. Objector But your colored newspapers incite unfavorable comparison with similar enterprises of white men, and publish our own inferiority to the world.

Progressive: I admit that no colored newspaper has yet reflected much credit upon the colored Deoule of this country. We have never I lad a paper to oompare with the New York Tribune, the New York Independent, or to newspapers much inferior to these great public journals but what then Shall we sit down, Told our arms, bury our one talent, omit to try, ind thus allow the world to sweep along by us ioing nothing, refusing to follow because we lead The Tribune of to-day is very different from the Tribune of twenty-five years igo. Besides, we are in a very different condition for starting and maintaining a public journal now than at any time of ocr history in this country. Our relations to the world are ill changed. A new career is opened before us.

We are not only men, but men among men, and we are invited to share in the grand ictivities of civilization which, until recently, have been almost impossible to us. Objkctob; But what do we want with a paper at the seat of Government Are there not enough and to spare Pbooressitk 1 will tell you, we want a paper at the capital of tbe nation conducted by one or more of our own number, which can speak to us, to our friends, and to our enemies, if we have any, from our own point of view, a and from onr own terrible which will not only accept, but will invite our utterances from all quarters of the from Texas to Maine, and from Maryland to which shall reflect the growing: intelligence and the general progress of our people. Objector But no colored newspaper enterprise ha9 ever yet joceeded. They have all run for fi time, and have, from one cause or another, been discontinued. Progressive Very true, but consider the difference of the present from the past and take heart for the future Again remember that our papers heretofore have been restricted in i their circulation only to one part of our widely extended country, and to that part where our 1 people are few and far between.

Remember also that such papers were seldom able to get fair play even in the post offices in the North, while entirely excluded from the South. 1 These offices, until recently, have been in the hands of our enemies. Our papers were compelled to lie dead in many of these offices, either fro the contemptuous neglect of post office clerks to deliver them when called for, or the insolent and insulting conduct of such clerks 1 towards subscribers wheu they called for papers. Should any such obstructions now be flung in our way, we have in our own hands the means of correcting the abuse and rebuking the offenders. Besides we have now as we had I uot then, reading population eager for know! edge, desirous to tit themselves for the many and important duties and responsibilities which their new relations devolve upon them.

Objector There may be something in all this, and perhaps, you arc wise in trying your hand again. Progressive I know there is something in all this. Of the past I speak from sad experi anno. 1 mtKliokaA i t- iui auu vii icu oUvJll a paper daring sixteen years, under the old condition of things, and have often had my papers returned to me as refused, and their margins written all over with obscene and grossly insulting epithets, when the subscribers were writing to me i that they wanted the paper, but could uever get it from the post office. Objector: Well, well! You maybe right after all and upon the whole, the only reason why I dislike to have color associated with enterprises of this character may be that color i9 hated and persecuted in this country, and it is this hatred and persecution of which I would get rid rather than the fact of color itself.

Progressive And this, sir, can only be done by proving to the world that colored men are capable of something more than a mere physical existence, that he is capable of thought as well as of action, that he can lead as well as follow, that he has mind as well as muscle, and that nothing that is common to other members of the human family is impossible to him. IreediuanN Savings Bank. The following remarkable statistics are taken from the recent report of the General Superintendent of Education of the Freedman's Bureau Number of Branches 27 Total depositsto March 95 Total number of depositors. 44,395 Average amount of each depositor $283 94 Total drafts to March 1,1870.. 20 Total balance now in the Branches 74 Number of present 23,277 Average amount of each depositor $71 18 Amount of drafts spent in buying land $663,149 37 Number of purchasers 3.393 Amount expeuded for the purchase of dwelling houses or homes $296,917 69 Amount spect for seed, implements, teams, $941,635 74 Amount for education and books.

$69,664 00 Amouut forother important purchases for personal and family comfort $699,299 10 The influence of the Bank has been beneficial, aff rding the industrious freeman not only a safe depositary for his surplus hpvnnd ite hnurlv temDtatinns of extrava gance, bat placing them where they will also be constantly augmented by the accumulation of interest. It was scarcely to be expected that a peop'e unaccustomed to the necessity of providing the morrow would at once adopt the economical and saving habits of classes trained to se fhelp. Yet, considering this fact, and the hourly temptations to extravagance and dissipation by which they arc surrounded, the above statement redounds greatly to their credit, and is a convincing evidence ot the highly nseful character of this institution. Republic Proclaimed from the Hotel OeVille. We have little confidence in the proclamations of this mercurial people, made, as they are, in the tempest and whirlwind of popular fury.

Their tumultuous shouts ot down this, and live that, may mean something or nothing, according to circumstances. Napoleon, with all his villainy, has some cause of complaint against his countrymen in this the dark hour of his downfall. When he wa? powerful they honored him. When trouble and disaster came they deserted him. They were with him in victory, against him in defeat.

When the Empire is prosperity, France is for the Empire hen the Empire is in adversity, France is for a Republic. 1 The ship has no certain course. She has no rudder, and for the present no captain. Where 3he shall at last be carried by the terrible storm aud the mad waves now tossing her, no man can tell. Her friends here try to hope for the Republic, but with 1848 before them they cannot be sanguine.

The French do not seem capable of sustaining such a form of government. Absolutism or anarchy are the extremes they must run into. But let us hope for the best. Nothing would more rejoice all sincere friends of liberty than that the French should prove such fears unfounded. Rebel Folly aud Malice.

An old subscriber to the New York Tribune in Nashville, sends that paper the following statement in regard to the combined stupidity and malice of the Southern Rebels "The persecutions or the Kebeis nere are such as to compel me to leave my native State. Many Republicans are now i ly those who came in daring or since the war. None can stay in peace unless they vote the Rebel Democratic ticket. Those who will do I this are tolerated, but not respected while for a Southern-born Republican there is no peace. Hence, property is depreciated in value, and what styles itself Conservatism is making this deluded people poorer every day." This is undoubtedly the disposition and temper of a very large majority of the rebels, prob ably of nine-teuth9 of them.

To punish the Northern people for saving the Government aud destroying slavery, they would gladly see I the South as well as the North made a waste i dessert, provided they couid escape the tion. These mad passions have blinded them alike to self-interest, justice, truth, humanity, and loyalty, and their highest ambition is to vent their malignity upon loyal men. whether black or white. Personal. 1 I.

C. are not surprited to learn, 1 as we have learned from a reliable tarter, that this gentleman made a very impression for himself at the recent Labor Convention in Cincinnati. He is a man of generous heart, has a keen intellect, a ready eloquence, and is well fitted to bear honorable part in any deliberative assembly. We are especially glad to find him on the liberal side of the Cb Dese question. It will well for the colored race in this country if, after their liberation frotr a bondage of two centnries, they do not them selves turn persecutors.

John Merger Lanoston is said to have done good service to the cause of freedom and elevation in hU speeches at Louisville and Memphis He is a live inan. and will awaken our people 1 to higher ideas of their duties and ipportuni ties wherever he may speak. We watch his course, and note his labors with more than usual interest. We hope yet to see bun in Congress Henri Highland Garnet has resigned his office as President of Alleghany College, and has been spending several weeks in New York He is not idle, and cannot be while the demands of the people upon him for lectures and speeches are so incessant and urgent. the whole we do not regret his Alleghany resignation.

The place for Mr. Garnet is the open field, and before the people. IDs thirty labor has not impaired his vigor. Good tidings reach ns respecting William Wells Brown, who recently addressed the good people of Utica. New York.

Richard Theodore Greener, the fir-t colored graduate from Harvard College, still lingl we believe, at his home in Boston. High hopes attach to this young man Surely he ought to find, with little effort, a position where his admitted talent- aud acquirements can be male serviceable, both to hi and his race There are few nam-s which better deserve friendly mention in this first number of the New vTional Era than that of Peter Clark, of Cincinnati. No man among-t 09, during the same number of years, with equal ability, has more faithfully, unostentatiously, and unselfishly served his people, an i not one 1 is more entitled to our respect and gratitude. Mr. Clark is not only a veteran educator of colored youth, but he is an enlightened statesman, one who thinks for himself, and in the face of mediocrity, bigotry, and superstition, dares to speak in plain and hone-t language just what he thinks.

Hon. Gerrit excellent gentleman fTn rin? his well preserved oriental and moral faculties, in his glorious old age, in a constant and most vigorous war upon intemperance As usual Mr. Smith works in bis own way. He follows no beaten path because it is beaten and plain, but follows his own convictions no matter what dangers or difficulties beset his path. "The dram is now the toweriug demon at which he hurls his bolts.

An address of his has reached ns in Washington, by way of Rochester, which argue9, with much ingenuity and force, the necessity of forming an "anti dram shop" party. While we are not prepared to follow our dear venerated friend in a any effort which will tend to weaken the Republican party and give strength to the Demo- i cratic party, we, nevertheless, see the wisdom of directing organized effort, legal enactments, against the dram shop abomination, rather than attempting absolute and universal prohibition. There is now said to be a very strong probability that Wendell Phillips will be made Governor of Massachusetts. Whether this is true or not, there is no fitter man for the place in the whole length and breadth of that grand old commonwealth. Few men really know Mr.

Phillips. He is widely rather than well known. Men think of him and speak of him as a brill.a.tn.atA. 1- 1 imui viaiui, a a yuimiiru but they do not know hira us a broad and sagacious statesman, patient, industrious, studious, with remarkable aptitude for practical affairs. lie is one of the few public men whose real character aud ability have never been fully and properly estimated.

There is no office ia the country, Governor, Senator. Chief Justice, President, or what else that Wexdiil Phillips could not 611 with honor. Major M. R. Delany ought to give the N'sw National Era a few facts occasionally.

lie is close observer, readily comprehends the drift Hid bearings of public affairs, and aims to serva cause of his people. Robert Pcrvis. Esq deroted forty years of service to thecau9e of equai justice towards all men, aod is still earnest, eloquent, and vigorous, with an eye a- keen, a hand as strong, and a heart as warm as before time and toil had tinged one of his raven locks. May we not hope to hear occasionally from him Prof. Chari.es L.

Reason, by his presence, and wisdom, at the recent Saratoga Lafeor Convention; did signal service to the cause of education a cause for which no colored man in the country has done more than he. Lewis W. friends of the New National Era are under many obligations to this gentleman for his persevering and very successful efforts to extend the circulation of this paper. A half a dozen men of equai in the South, would in a few mouths give our paper a list of ten thousand subscribers in that part of our country, where its influence is most needed and most beneficial. Speech or Senator W.

H. Parsons on the Logical Results of the ar. and the objects, aims. aDd constitutionality of the Militia A. t.

Delivered in the Senate of Texas, June 21, 1870. We have read enough of this speech to assent to its general to commend its author, as well for his wisdom as for his boldness. Mr. Parsons mnst be accorded a high place io the ranks of the (happily now inereas ing) number of Southern men not only to think, bnt dare to speak their thoughts and convictions to the faces of those who diSer from them. His speech is not only able, but it is eloquent.

To the South he tells the Simple, unvarnished truth, and puts it a form as shocking to the taste of seme cf his Southern hearers as it must be convincing to their judgment. The results of the late tremendous revolution, he tell? them, is Federal supremacy and universal citizenship The situation has nowhere pot itself put into a more comprehensive and exact form of words. To the men of ancient obsolete the men of inveterate prejudices and who are resolved to live only in the dead past, who refuse see the present with its grand opportunities, or the great fnture with its achievements and glories, these words ar? hittprness and woe: but tr? the buoyant. and thoughtful men of the South, the men who see the world as it is, and have faith in themselves and in the hour, they are words of truth and soberness. Let them be heard all over the South.

Job Pbintwo of every description done with promptness, and in the best style of the art, at the Ntw National Era Steam Printing Estab lshment. Forty years aeo a complete copy of the Old Testament could not be found in the city Jerusalem. At the present time there are Protestant schools in Palestine, in which children are taught the Bible..

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Pages Available:
854
Years Available:
1870-1874