New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-05-14
From West Virginia.
WHEELING, W. Va, April 50, 1877


r, af Editor Of he N,c National Era:
DEAR EDITOR: Il seldom. intrude an
article upon the columns of your valuable
paper, and hope few lines at this Time will
not he burdensome to its many intelligent
readers.
| have been constant reader Of your
journal for more than three years, and have
derived so much pleasure and information
from its pcrusal, that could not think of be-
inc without it at any cost. Set me down,
then, in that long list Of patrons who will
support your enterprise, and send you new
subscriber whenever can, as | have always
done. II meets the wants of a large class of
citizens, and there are none outside of
Washington that desire its overthrow.
The ERA needs no defence from me. II
asserts IFS own claim. The able articles that
fill lis columns every week commends it to
every lover of Justice and Equality, regard
less of race or color, and invests il with tbe
power, which, welded by the present editor,
can easily shake and subvert any opposition
that may be brought against it.
Let every colored man i'm the land look
well to his own interest and that of his whole
race, by welcoming TO his household this Or
gan, which is doing more to awaken, enliehl-
Ell and elevate our people than any other
paper in the United States. Strive to keep
open every avenue, designed to dihuse li.ht
and intelligence among our ranks, that the
gloom OF ignorance, cast upon us by centu-
ries at bondage, may melt away like the dew
before the morning sun.
We are an important political element in
this country. That sacred weapon, the bal
lot, is ours, and, for Gods sake, LET ms keep
posted, and use it where it will effect the
greatest good to the greatest number. We
should lose no opportunity to assist our claim
TO Justice and exact equality in all matters
pertaining to our civil and political rights.
Let him that would withhold from us any
privilege accorded to other citizens, be met
as an enemy, and with the fundamental law
OF the land on our side, convince them of
their error if possible, hut vote for them
nerer.
1t grieves me that after so many pledges
from both political parties, the Supplement-
airy Civil-Rights Bill" is not vet secured,
They seem TO handle it in congress like q
deadly poison. One day it is taken up, then
we are buoyant with hope and expectation,
only to be disappointed the next day by its
being referred or lai on the table. Unless
this bill is passed, aud with it all thatwas
asked by the lamented Sumner, L do not see
what the wise legislators will have to show
for their winters work, since the financial
affair has gone by the board: We are wea-
ried by continued asking for complete
recognition of our manhood. | verify be-
lieve the salvation of the Republican party
depends upon the passage of that bill, and
sincerely trust that before Congress shall
adjourn, it shall be passed, and then the
great temple will be complete.
have Just returned from very pleasant
visit 10
PARKEHSBURG,
at which place found much more progress
and intelligence among Our,peOple TINA had
expected to find. The schools are good and
moderately well attended, and the churches
also. The city is beautifully situated, fine
buildings adom every street, and from the
neighboring hills the scenery is delightful,
and what added greatly to the pleasures of
our party was 4 number OF young ladies with
winning manners, who escorted us about the
city and pointed out all places of interest.
We were entertained in the most hospitable
manner at the residence of the we'll known
ROBERT W. SIMMONS.
We-shall long remember the cordiaity with
which We were received and entertained by
the gentleman aud his family. Mr.. Simmons
Is man of acknowledged ability, and hay
INC had the advantage of a good education
has long figured conspicuously in public al.
FAIRS. lie was one of the few colOred dele
gates TO the Philadelphia Convention in 1872,
and is warm friend of President Grant,
by whom he has recently been rendered a
foreign position. He says he believes Grant
Will stand firm upon the platform upon
which he was elected, and hence will sign
the Civil-Rights Bill, if passed. lie en-
pressed himself warm friend Of the ERA,
and thinks the colored people should rally to
It's support because an organ is needed at the
national capital, and it should be well sus-
tanned, regardless of the enemies an honest
journal such rs it is - may have in Wash
ington.
MIR. Simmons made an able speech at the
summer memorial meeting, recently held in
farkersburg, which was highly complimented
by the State Journal. We left him, fully inn
pressed with the conviction that the Presi-
dent had made happy selection, in appoint
ing him to a foreign position. West Virginia
may we'll congratulate herself that at last
one Of her colored men has been called ia
the front
Yours for the right,
WM. i. GASEINS.