THE REPUBLIC.

Deboted to the Dissemination of Political Information.

VOL. II.

WASHINGTON, D. C., JANUARY, 1874.

TO THE PATRONS OF THE REPUBLIC.

No. 1.

Ne quid detrimenti Respublica capiat, | should never be forgotten. If our liber"that no harm come to the Common- ties are to endure, men must be vigiwealth," was the first injunction of the lant-must spare no pains to acquire Roman Republic to her rulers and peo- that information without which intelliple. It was supported by another equally gent and proper action can never be seimportant, Salus populi est lex suprema, cured. On this depend both public "to consult the welfare of the State is morals and national prosperity. the first great law." In a free government the people are the State. Every citizen is a member of the political family, and the general order, security, and happiness depend almost wholly on the qualification of the citizen and the temper of public opinion. As are the individuals, so will be the body politic. The knowledge of self and of public affairs becomes the first duty of men. The humblest as well as the highest share in this responsibility. Nothing can be stable in the national institutions, laws, and practices if popular intelligence and integrity be wanting.

The object of this magazine, styled "THE REPUBLIC," as the name denotes, the second volume of which commences with the present number, is to afford to the whole people, and particularly to those who are most intimately concerned in the conduct of our political affairs, the means of a more thorough acquaintance with the principles, designs, and operations of our own Government, and to show how the interests of all classes and sections are affected by the various causes and influences which from time to time spring into existence. In other words, it is an attempt without personal The preparation of the citizen, that he bitterness or partisan prejudice to demay be skilled in the science of govern-velop the true philosophy of Republicanment and fitted for the discharge of his duties in the State, is as absolutely necessary as the training of the mechanic, artisan, or scholar, for his chosen avocation. Whoever neglects it does so at his peril, and this but adds to the com- country. The need of the special work mon danger. This vital consideration to which THE REPUBLIC is devoted

ism.

It is the earnest desire of the publishers to promote the highest civilization by advancing the material, educational, and moral interests of this great

is intensified by the fact that no other
publication of like character is issued,
and no other publication has the like
facilities for procuring materials of au-
thentic information concerning the pur-
pose and action of the Government. The
magazine is prepared with the greatest
care as to the accuracy of its statements
upon every subject and with a view to
afford to all its readers a fund of
intelligence at once the most ac-
cessible and the most reliable. It
should, therefore, be possessed, perused,
and preserved by every thoughtful and
patriotic citizen. Every good cause de-
mands the earnest support of those who
wish well to their country and their kind.
The cause of good government more than
any other human interest requires such
support, and if need be at the cost of all
self-sacrifice. This is a science which,
involving the knowledge both of obe-
dience and command, must be thorough-
ly understood in theory and in practice,
and the wisest economy enforces its con-
stant study in these regards. The knowl-sent in the Appendix.
edge necessary to the right discharge of
political duties is not intuitive. It can
only be acquired by careful observation
and the calm consideration of the prin-
ciples, facts, and tendencies which a full
and faithful record may present.

agement. This the publishers have ap-
preciated, and they hereby return to all
their friends their sincere acknowledg-
ments. Thanking their patrons for the
confidence and support already received,
they take this occasion to appeal for a
renewal of subscriptions, and to ask that
each friend of the enterprise may en-
deavor to procure at least one additional
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To the publishers and writers of THE REPUBLIC the work of the past year has been emphatically a labor of love and of patriotic devotion. Above the hope of pecuniary gain the crowning motive has been to toil for the glory of America, and to see their country and their countrymen the happiest, the wisest, and the most powerful among the nations of the

earth!

SPEECH OF HON. T. W. FERRY.

Among the most thoughtful and wellmatured contributions designed to solve the questions of the national currency and finance is the speech of the junior Senator from Michigan, which we pre

While the whole country is looking to Congress for affirmative action and the press is calling vehemently for speedy legislation very few practical suggestions have thus far been made. It is quite easy to state in a vague and general way what ought or ought not to be done, but the reduction of these suggestions to practical legislation is an effort which few inside or outside of Congress have seen fit to undertake.

Mr. Ferry's speech is worthy of care

It is believed that in furnishing the requisite aid to this result THE REPUBLIC has no rival. It is supplied at little more than the material cost of its publication, and as it wins its way to popular favorful consideration. It emanates from a the publishers will be able to increase practical business man, who is personally interested in a safe and elastic circulating medium.

their efforts for the public good. The first year of the magazine has been successful beyond anticipation. The almost unanimous approval with which it has been greeted by the press and the people is a source of gratification and encour

We shall from time to time publish other important speeches and documents full advantage of a ready record, within our Appendix, giving our readers the out diminution of the number of pages devoted to discussion.