r injured. It is our hope and will that in these
columns some share of the good work may be honestly carried out. We wish
to speak under the most vital American influences to the American
people, ambitious of being nothing more nor less than soundly national
in all things. We see a new time forming, new ideas rising, and would
give it and them a voice in such earnest and energetic tones as the
people love. We call not only for the matured thought, but also for the
young mind of the country, and beg every man and woman who entertains
vigorous and practical ideas to come out boldly and speak freely. Think
nobly, write rapidly! Remember that every letter printed in these times
will take its place in history. The forgotten comment of the moment will
rise up in after years to be honored perhaps as the right word in the
right place. The day is coming when the songs and sentences of this
great struggle will be garnered up into literary treasuries, pass into
household words, and confer honor on the children of those who penned
them. Lay hand to the work, all you who have aught to say, aid us to
become a medium for the time, and honor yourselves by your utterances.
There are a thousand reforms, innumerable ideas fit for the day, ready
to bloom forth. Write and publish; the public is listening. Now is the
time, if it ever was, to develop an American character, to show the
world what treasures of life, strength and originality this country
contains. Beyond the old conventional _belles lettres_ and aesthetic
scholarship which limited us in peace, lies a fair land, a wilderness it
may be, but one bearing beautiful, unknown flowers, and strange but
golden fruits, which are well worthy a garden. Let all who know of these
bring them in. The time has come.

We have been questioned from many of the highest sources as to the
future tendency and scope of our magazine. Let us say then, briefly,
that we hope to make a bold step forward, presenting in our columns
contributions characterized by variety, vigor, and originality, to be
written by men who are fully up with the times and endeavoring to
advance in all things. In a word, we shall do our best to give it
exuberant _life_--such as the country and age require. We shall advocate
the holy cause of the UNION with might and main, and leave no
means whatever neglected to urge the most vigorous prosecution of this
war, until the sacred principles of liberty as transmitted to us by our
forefath