New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-05-14
From New Jersey.
CAMDEN, N. j., May s, 1874.

10 NE Editor cfthe Nt,o National Era:
You will be surprised no doubt to learn
that New Jersey after having enjoyed the
unenvicd reputation of being out of the
United States from time immemorial. has at
length been resurrected, and now is upon the
anxious seat patiently awaiting an opporluni-
ty to be admitted into the ssterhood of
States. To begin with, New Jersey has had
the honor in the person of Senator Freling-
huysen OF reporting Senator Summers Sup
plmentary Civil Rights Bill in the Senate
last week, and in doing so, he proved to the
world that che had the moral courage to
stand up in the face of opposition and battle
for Justice and equality, irrespective of
tongue, color or chime, according to his con-
ceptiOn of the Constitution as amended.
How it thrilled my very soul when read
those noble sentiments which he uttered in
speaking of the bill +" He invoked the calm.
impartial, unpartzan consideration of the
Senate; he asked its passage only as il should
commend itself rs consistent with the Con-
stitution, and with justice to all classes of
society" lie alluded to a very important
statistical fact which reads as-follows: ''The
colored people now produce 100000 900
worth OF cotton per annum, and that they
had done much to develope the resources of
the country, and should be invested with all
The rights" IL seems to me that this fact
itself should be sufficient to influence those
who had been hitherto antagonistic to the
bill to change their course. Mr.. Thurman
in moving to strike out the second section of
the bill which imposed fine of $500 for
every violation, and the same to be paid to
person or persons thus aggreved which, in
his judgment, he considered so mOnstrOus
proved conclusvely that he must have been
actuated more from prejudice than from
sense of justice and equity. On legis-
lators may rs well look the thing square in
the face and make a clean breast of it; for,
be assured that what the present. administra-
ton fails to accomplish future ones will
commence where they leave oil, and finally
complete it. Having depressed considerable
from the subject of New Jerseys identity
with the Union Rerenons d nos noutons.n
1t appears that we arc really to have a
Metropolitan Church to be erected under the
auspices of the Zion Wesley A. NJ. f.
Church, on Sycamore street, st. Camden. n.
j. On the 4th inst. the old ne-stOry brick
structure was demolished and on its site is
to be reared the above church. They have
fitted up temporary building on large
adjacent lot in which to worship until their
new one is completed. The ceremonies of
the laying of the cornerstone will take
place on the 18th inst, on which occasion
Bishops J. j. Moore and j. J:Clinton will
oiiiciate. Invitations have also been en-
tended to the Grand Lodges Of: n. j., N. Y.
and Pa, who will assist in the ceremonies of
the laying of the cornerstone. There has
been Literary Association just formed here
known by the name of the Youths Union
Association. 1t is composed of some of the
most intelligent young colOred men in Cam
den, their ages varying from Is to 25 years.
Having been invited 10 visit them, l was
surprised at the degree of intelligence ex-
hibitcd by them; and should they continue
as they have commenced, l bespcak for
them Il glorious future.
J. A. NEWLY.