New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-09-17
FREDERICKSBURG, Va,
September IL, 1874.

September II, 1874.
T, the Eiiior qfH Ntw National Era:
Mr.. Mark II. DeMOrtie has written card
to the people of the Fourth District with
drawing as a candidate from the canvass.
Hon. w. ii. II. Stowell will receive the
entire support of the convention, and will be
reelected 10y an increased majority.
INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE.
Hon. Charles III. Porter, late a member of
Congress from the Third District of Virginia,
ii is announced will be an independent candi-
date for Congress from the Fourth District.
This Is TO be regretted. Mr.. Porter is DOS
sesscd of the highest order of talent, and as
an orator stands shoulder to shoulder with
the foremost men of Virginia. Instead of
being an independent or disaliected Republi-
can, he should be found in the ranks of the
party giving his services to the people who
have hOnOred him from time to time with
their sulrages.
There have been some very grave and seri-
Gus mistakes made by the local party man.
ayers of Virginia, and they cannot afford to
repeat their mistakes. No political party
can exist in this country that elects to the
General Assembly such man as Mr.. G.,
May, of Petersburg, orer such a man as Hon.
Charles ii. Porter. Mr.. G. May was elected
by the Republicans of Petersburg, and it is
known that he is An ignorant, deceptive, and
unreliable man, unable TO speak our language
or comprehend the true meaning Of Republic
can government, and that Mr.. Charles III
Potter, man of extra ability, was a cam
didate before the same convention. IL does
not reflect much credit upon the judgment
and wisdom of society-thosc who do the
managing of the party in the city of Peters
burg. All intelligent Republicans regret that
MIR. May was ever nominated, and none are
so blind rs not to be able to see that it should
have been Mr.. Chas. II. Porter, and not Mr..
Nav.
Speaking of Petersburg. guess ii is one
of the many places in Virginia where the
local "law-givers" do not believe that slavery
is dead. L soiourned there seven days dur
ing the past month, and heard the Mayor
order the lash TO be applied to three colored
men for petty ofienses, but not to single white
man, though white men were tried and con-
yicted at the same time for the same otiense.
and before the same tribunal that the colorel
men were. --,
Criored people IN Virgaia AZ, ,.rai,! TO 60
into court. They know that, to a great ex-
tent, those who execute the law believe i'm
the doctrine that negroes are beneath, and
not equal, with the law.
Slavery may be dead in this state, but It's
not buried. The leading Democrats here
have no more respect for the National Con-
stitution now than they had when fighting in
the Southern army to destroy it. This also
holds good as regards the entire Rcconstruc-
ton acts. II allowed to do so, Nirginans
would tomorrow undo all that has been done
during the past six years.
The city of Petersburg, so long held by
Republicans, is now in the hands of the very
worst species of Democracy. Some say the
reason that the city went Democratic was
owing to cheating and ballot-box stufling on
the part of the Democrats. | think good
deal of this is true, but there is reason to
believe that guarreling and wrangling over
the spoils, and general disaiiection in the
ranks of the party, had something to do with
it. Colored men should learn that quarrel
ling will not materially benefit the organiza-
ton of which they are natural members, and
the political organization that they have any
natural right TO look to for anything. There
has been more dissension among the leading
colored men of Richmond, Petersburg, and
Norfolk, than there was any necessity for.
If these gentlemen were all that will be
affected by their quarrels, all would be well,
but they carry the thing SO far that il wounds
the party in general.
Gentlemen, stop quarrelng and go to work;
return four Republicans to the next Congress.
This is your duty. This is what you owe the
party that proclaimed freedom to five millions
of people.
Hon. John Il. Sener has announced his
candidacy in the First District. His appoint
ments are announced. Hon. Beverley Doug
las, his competitor, has accepted Mr.. Sener's
appointments as his own, and the canvass
will be conducted on the joint discussion
plan. Major Douglas is one Of the first ora
tors of the State.
DIR. Norton, of Yorktown, who is a chronic
candidate in the Second (Patt's) District, is
oui, It's usuiti, I'LL iuuepeuucnI CaHuiudte'
Poor Norton, what pity it is that Congress
cannot arrange to have two members from
the Sec ond District.
RIcHMOND-CHURCHES ETC,
ETC.-GOSSIP.
The Thrd-street A. NJ. +. Church is under
going repairs. Mr.. Derrick's, the pastor, has
been successful in raising something like
seven thousand dollars, which sum is to be
used in putting gothic front to the ediice
and changing things inside in general. Dur
ing the time that these alterations are being
made, the congregation will worship at Odd
Fellows Hall, on Franklin street, near the
Exchange Hotel.
Rev. Mr.. Holmes, of the First African
Baptist Church-the largest membership con-
gregation in the United States-contempla
an entire new building. This congregation,
if they undertake it, will no doubt erect the
finest church that is under the control o
colOred people in the country. They are
very wealthy and exceedingly liberal. This
lollsp thnugh nc tho coloro6 peonlp was