The Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1870-1871, 1871-03-23
COLORED MEN AS MASONS.

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AVE been recognized in New Jersey and
he colored Lodges have often been
listed by the white brethren. One of
heir lodges holds a charter or warrant
rom an ancient Grand Body of
Pennsylvania, and the other from Prince
Hal Lodge of Boston, with an antiquity
ar more ancient than that of the Grand
lodge OF New Jersey; but nevertheless
heir Lodges are not recognized by the
irand Body of the Jerseys, and for
everal successive meetings of the Grand
lodge their supplications have resulted
n fraternal kicks in place of grips and
riendly tokens; and such legal talent as
Past Grand Masters TIimble, Whitehead,
and Van Wagner could master,
las been necessary to ward off the facts
nd figures and dates presented by the
olored delegations.
At the last session of the Grand
lodge in Trenton, q game was played
hat would have done credit to All Sin
n any other peculiar Chinese. A
lumber Of applications were regularly
eceived for the warranting of new
hges. It now leaks out that Alpha,
;. 116, of Newark, was formed by
Asons admitted for the purpose of
seing the long vexed question of black
mbnry in New Jersey. Thirteen of the
Mans belonging to the old colored
Loe of Newark have been regularly
probed, and, as is understood, are to
be lifted, passed and raised in Alpha
Lodeand 80 on until the black brethren
havinhll been transferred to the new
lodge, he old colored Lodge is extin-
guishet
The Asonic authority, the Landmark,
congrat}tes NJ. w. Bro. Pine, the
Grand Iaster of New Jersey, and
understals that the warrant was grant
ed for thew Lodge, with the ultimate
intention Cts being composed entirely
OF colored hthren. It is believed that
this dispositn of the case will solve the
enigma OF Nlored Masonry, hitherto
considered qndestine, and it is probable
| Al
that Bro. Prs great step will perfect
the university of the fraternity and
establish theright of colored NIasons
throughout th United States, as, if in a
regular stands in New Jersey, they
must be admlt1 wherever they apply,
without questio,of color.
The L1admarSays it is bold stroke
and undoubtedly premeditated step BY
the Granl Masr. most deliberately
taken' and that heAas only done what
somebody else WON have had to do ut
some future time.
One Mr.. Knapp Master of a new
Lodge just started at Hohokus, in
Bergen county, got exted over the liberal
and righteous step ofg. w. Bro. Pine,
and wrote to him ant interviewed the
Grand Master; but VS. told "That q
Lodge had a perfect riat to the choice
Of its own material, witlwhich even the
Grand Master cannot ntfere, providing
that material IS such as required by
the laws of Masonry"
But the subject has assrhed large pro-
portions, and in Newark tire is much
excitement. A meeting hs been held
and an effort is to be made \ induce the
Grand Master to suspend te work Of
Alpha Lodge, No. 116. Asons were
yesterday procuring the signatures of the
Masters, Past Masters, and Vardens o.
Lodges IN the Jersey towns. fngularly
Democrats favor Black MasoAv mora
generally than the Repablidhs. the
former being led by Judge Varr of
Trenton (; so that politics has ban ig-
nored. A conference of those ouosed
is to be beld in Newark, and deem
feeling is prevailing among the SOS Of
Hiram.-The fourteen black candidates
are to be ballotted for in Alpha d dce
one week from tonight but as thetew
members composing the new Lodgebre
said to have orgonized it for the Ary
object, they are not likely to be swaAd
from their purpose; and if the Crab
Master backs down, he Will show lea
frmness of character than hitherto h,
has exhibited IN Masonic duties.-N Y
Sun.
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