The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1871-03-18
C0I0red Men as MasOns.
from the New York Sum-


For many years colored Free
masons have been recognized in
New jersey and the colored Lodges
have often been visited by the
white brethren. One of their lodg-
es holds a charter Or warrant from
an ancient Grand Body Of Pensyl-
vania, and the other from Prince
Hal Lodge of Boston, with an anti
guilty far more ancient than that
of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey;
but nevertheless their Lodges are
not recognized by the Grand Body
of the Jerseys, and for several sue
cessive meetings of the Grand
Lodge their su%pplications have re
suited in fraternal kicks in place OF
grips and friendly tokens; and such
legal talent as Past Grand Masters
Trimble, Whitehead, Cannon and
Van Wagner could muster, has
been necessary to ward off the facts
and figures and dates presented by
THE COLORED DELEGATIONS.
At the last session of the Grand
Lodge in Trenton, a game was play
ed that would have done credit to
All Sin Or any other peculiar Chi
nee. A number of new applications
were regularly received for the
warranting of new lodges. 1t now
leaks out that Alpha, No. 116, of
Newark, was formed by Masons
Omitted for the purpose of settling
the long vexed question of black
Masonry in New Jersey. Thirteen
of the Masons belonging to the old
colored Lodge of Newark have been
regularly proposed, and, as is under
stood, are to be initiated, passed and
raised in Alpha Lodge, and so on
until, the black brethren having all
been transferred to the new lodge,
the old colored Lodge is eXtinguish-
ed.
THE MASONIC AUTHORITY,
the Landmarks, congratulates NJ. w.
Bro. Pine, the Grand Master of New
Jersey, and understands that the
warrant was granted for the new
Lodge, with the ultimate intention
of it's being composed entirely of
colored brethren. 1t is believed
that this disposition of the case will
solve the enigma Of colored Mason
~, hitherto considered clandestine,
and it is probable that Bro. Pines
great step will perfect the universe
ty of the fraternity and establish
the right of colored Masons through
out the United States, as, if in
regular standing in New Jersey,
they must be admitted wherever
they apply,
WITHOUT QUESTION OF COLOR.
The Landmark says it is a bold
stroke, and undoubtedly a preme-
ditated step by the Grand Master
most deliberately taken, and that
he has only done what somebody
! else would have had to do at some
future time.
But the subject has assumed large
proportions, and in Newark there is
much excitement. A meeting has
been held and an effort is to be
made to induce the Grand Master
to suspend the work of Alpha Lodge,
No. 116. Masons were yesterday
procuring the signatures of the
Masters, Past Masters, and War
dens Of Lodges in the Jersey towns.
Singularly,
DEMOCRATS FAVOR BLACK MASONRY
more generally than the Republi-
cans, the former being led by Judge
Naar of Trenton; so that politics
has been ignored. A conference of
those opposed is to be held in New
ark, and a deep feeling is prevail
ing among the sons Of Hiram. The
fourteen black candidates + to be
balloted for in Alpha Lodge one
week from tonight; but as the few
members composing the new lodge
are said to have organized it for the
very object, they are not likely to
be swayed from their purpose; and
if the Grand Master backs down he
will show less firmness of character
than hitherto he has exhibited in
| his Masonic duties.