The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1886-05-12

Mr.. +. I. Fortune, one Of the lead
ing literary representatisS@s.s.;.::,ss sstsae
colored race in America, is full OF
sign .sscant points. It indicates that
intelligent negroes are beginning to
understand that the Republican par
ty is neither infalIible nor disinter-
ested, and that the true interests Of
their people require them to trust
their own judgement in political
matters rather than to accept the
oracular dictation OF bitter and self
ish partisans. Mr.. Fortune, as a
representative negro, revolts from
the continuance of his kind in the
role Of the catspaw to pull Republi
can chestnuts OUT Of the fire..
Such an attitude is auspiclous.
The blind alliance Of the colored
voters Of the country with the Re-
publicans enabled the latter to wreak
woes on the country, from the effects
Of which it has scarcely yet recover
cred. That the alliance during the
years Immediately following the civ
il war was natural one is not to be
disputed. The historic and political
causes which identified the party
with the championship Of the color
ed race are too well known to war
rant review. These causes have
now worked themselves to a logical
end, and the negro voter Of lntclli-
gence can with but little difficulty
separate the wheat from the tares in
that long list Of political services in
return for which the Republican par
ty voclfsrously demands the eternal
political servitude Of the qunndam
slave.
II Mr.. Fortune represents any con
siderable portion of his people there
is q clear indication of rebellion
against that sentimental idolatry Of
the Republican fetch which has
ruled them for more than a score of
years. The eye of the colored man
is opening to the fact that he is an
American citizen, not merely a man
with black skin; that the same in
terests aud sympathies, the same
differences In environment and con-
ditions which split other classes into
opposing parties must also divide
his race on political questions If he
would work out his own salvation.
Whatever is for the best interests of
the whites IS also for the best inter-
ests Of the blacks. Whatever adds
to the wealth, industry, thrift, pros
perity, intelligence snd general we'll
being of the country, that and nes'
its opposite it is wise for the coiored'
man to support. The color line in
politics has already been rupturcd.
1t is time that it should be absolute
ly destroyed. Sir Samuel Baker in
one Of his books says that the only
necdful precaution for any travellers
safety in Africa is that he should
march along turning the crank of
hand organ, and that he would then
have an army Of dancing guards to
attend him from the Soudan to Zu-
luland.
The colored men have been dane
ing to the music of the Republican
hand organ for score OF years or
more, and their best men are begin
ming to tire OF the fun. Mr.. Fortune,
in his pamphlet, cites our political
history for the last score-of years to
show that all that has been done for
the negro race by the Republican
party las been done for purely parti
san uses; that the sole object Of the
party has been not the welfare of
the black man, but his precious vote.
He makes an earnest appeal to his
people to cmancipate themselves
from the glamour OF mere tradition
and sentiment, and to look at the sit
uatiou from a practical and business
like stand point summing up the
pith of his exhortation in these
words:
"There are everywhere sigus that
the colored voters are losing conf
dcnce in the politicians, and are re-
lying more and more upon their own
discretion and leadership. | would
encourage this disposition, not in
the interest Of any party or set OF
cunning politicians, but because ]
feel that the race should use judg-
ment in political matters, firmly in
slsting, in every instance where they
give support, upon proper concess-
ions of right and Justice and upon