The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-11
OUR CoLoRsD MINISTER TO HAYrI

OUR COLORED MINISTER TO HAYTI
DR.. Thompson, who was very recently
nominated by the President to represent this
country at Hayti, is most favorably spoken
of by all those who have had any opporru-
nifty to hear anything about him, The col
ored people of the country and the Demo
cratic party particularly may rest assured that
he is very much of an Improvement over
Williams, who was appointed by Mr.. Arthur
and promptly COB frmed by the Republican
Senate. DR.. Thompson was recently inter.
viewed, as soon es the appointment was
known, in New York where he lives. He
said that the appointment was pleasure to
him, though he only knew OF it through
the papers. Over his desk in his office hung
q picture of the President, and as he looked
at it he said he believed, witho It
being egotistical, that his appein tment man
ifes ted the feeling of the Democratic parry
towards the colored race. He would GER
taInly accept the position when his commits
sion arrived.
Mr.. T. Thomas Fortune, editor and pro.
prietor of the Free man, the leading journal
for col0red people in New York city, said to
a World reporter: Il am not surprised at
the appointment, and shall not be surprised
at any appointment President Cleveland
may make of capable colored Democrats Or
Liberal Independent colored Republicans.
l expect him 10 pursue this policy towards
the colored people. expect that Mr.. Clsve-
land and his party will pursue this policy
towards the colored people, because it is the
inst opportunity the party has had since the
war to demonstrate to the whole country,
and the colCred people in particular, that
the party is not the rabid hater and implaca
bic enemy OF the race which the Republican
party and its organs and Spokesman have
insisted it TO be. Tie Democratic party,
was sure from the beginning. would not
throw away this opportunity to win to its
support its just percentage of the intelligent
colored vote of the North and West"
II regard the appointment of DR.. Thomp.
con-" he continued, las very significant, be-
cause he was taken from the North. The
Republican party has ignored the Northern
colored people, the OILY prominent appoint
ments made from this section having been
that of K. ID Bassett, OF Connecticut, in
1869. by President Grant, as Minister and
Consul General 10 Hsyti and Rev. Henry
Highland, Garnett, by President Arthur, to
be Minister Resident at Liberia. / am
pleased that President Cleveland has made
this appointment. and trust be will make
others of its sort In this way the colorsd
people will entirely lose their fear of the
Democratic party. be treasured in their rights
as citizens and ne free to pursEe such coure
in an election as they shall determine by tie
character of the.Inen placed in nomination
and the grave issues upon which these men
stand. The Democratic party has it in its
power to draw large accessions of strength
from the ranks of colored voters and shall
be surprised if il permits the opportunity to
pass unimproved." The interests of the COL
ored race are quite as safe bound mp with TIE
Democratic party "a they were or will be
with the Republican party.