The semi-weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1890-1891, 1890-10-15
AN INDEPENDENT COLORED MAN.
Henry Courtney Gives Many Good Rea-
SOM for Supporting Paris Gibson
for Senator.
GREAT FALLS, Oct. ID, 1890.

GREAT FALLS, Oct. ID, 1890.
EDITOR TRIBUNE: Will you grant me
the privilege Of saying a few words in
answer to an item published in your val
liable paper Oh the 18th inst. relative to a
meeting held by the colored republicans
of Great Falls, In which | was ostracised
for alleging that l would vote for the
Hon. Paris Gibson?
would say here that am guided by a
motive that is an independent one, re
CARELESS OF party. 1t is my duty as a
man, saying nothing of the personal
friendship | hold dear for Mr.. Gibson, to
cast my vote for him, believing as | do,
that | am working out a result that will
prove beneficial to every colored man
living in northern Montana. Mr.. Gibson
and his influence has always been
OF some import to the colored people
OF Great Falls. His fatherly advice, his
%unequalled ~benevolence, his integrity and
fine culture, more than fit him for
the position which he seeks at
the hands of the people. Cascade
county and Great Falls would do them
selves q great injustice if they did not
honor this champion of champions with
an overwhelming majority. | do not
wish it understood that l am a democrat,
for in this instance l forget party politics
and vote for the man best fitted to look
after the interests 1 have at stake.
The time has come for the colored
man to paddle his own canoe, to depend
on our own selves as q people for our
rights. We have sufficiently thanked
the republican party for what they claim
to have gwen us. We have stood by
them at all times and on all occasions,
ignoring the fact that we were sending a
bullet to the heart of some democrat
whose feelings and sympathy herewith us
There were numbers of such democrats,
who shouldered their muskets and
marched into the battle fields to help
| place you and | in the rights of citizen.
ship, which we so gladly enjoy today
Then ] ask you as intelligent citizens OF
Great Falls, is it right, is it just in the
sight of Him who is the creator of all
our beings, to blot out the good deeds a
man has done and stamp him your bitter
est enemy.
1t is said that Mr.. Gibson's election
means the election of a democratic
United States senator; admit it so, what
harm can come to the colored people
living IN Montana. We enjoy the rights
and respect OF all citizens. We cannot
prevent the wrongs that are being done
Ia the south to the colored people. That
hatred and III feeling will always exist,
there is no doubt. We have our families
and our homes here. Our interest must
be %centered here. Who is best fitted tc
legislate and protect that interest?
Paris Gibson. Why? Because being in
terested here himself, in fact all his
earthly possessions being here, the place
he has reared from its infancy, watched
over as a mother does her little babe
the place whose name extends through
out the United States built up by his en-
terprise most certainly he is the bAs
fitted man for the position.
| hope that in this campaign each ant
every man will cast his vote forgetting
his color, politics and creed and send il
a rousing majority for the nan that tn
little shrubs and trees, whose existence !
due to his watchful eye, sing out thei
glad notes when he is nigh. The ono
broad prairie upon which we live, witt
its soft mantle of snow, more than one
was a portion of his bed and the broa'
canopy of heaven his coverlng-a benefac
tor worthy of your entire support.
Mr.. editor, l had not intended to con
sumo so much of your valuable time, blu
this campaign has aroused my every in
terest. Thanking you for the intrusion
I am respectfully, W. H. COURTNEY.