The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-07-25
He IS A LEADER OF MEN,,
The Colored People Of America
Look Hopefully to T.
Thomas Fortune.
from Present Indications He VIII
Succeed the Present Minister
to Hayti.
His Followers Say He Is Well Qualified
to Succeed Douglass MS
u Leader

There has been considerable speculation
of late as to who will succeed Frederick
Douglass as the leader of the colored race
in America. That Mr.. Douglass, who has
been a picturesque as we'll as an important
figure in political history for nearly half a
century, will soon be retired there is not
the slightest doubt. He is an old man, up
on whom scores of eventful years have left
their mark, and his friends believe he
should not burden the few days of life that
remain to him with the cares and RESPONSE
bilities that are the lot OF the leader of the
colored race in the United States. 1t is ex-
peoted that Mr.. Douglass will soon send in
his resignation al minister to Hayti, and
that the man who is named to succeed him
in that position will don the mantle
of leadership which Mr.. Douglass
lays aside. There are scores of col
ored men who covet both honors, and
among them are tho most advanced repre-
sentstives Of the race, Largston, Bruce,
Lynch, Chase, Small and others to the
number of twenty or more, who have
achieved fame in politics. law, the church
and in the various industries. Each one of
the twsnty-odd available candidates for
the leadership and Haytian mission has q
strong following. There is ono man, low
ever, who from present Indications seems
to meet the requirements of the position
more fully than any of the ~others-self-
made, progressive, liberal in political pref
erenoes loyal to the interests Of his race,
intellectually bright, q keen judge of men
and conditions, able in a practical sense
and honest in the broadcast meaning of the
term. He is an editor, too. and famous for
his clear cut, %incisiye and forcible
writings. This man is L. Thomas Fortune.
He ID, perhaps. the most popular man with
could be named. Although scarcely moro
than thirty years Of age, his experience has
been remarkably wide and he is as well
versed as any other man i'll the country in
the industrial and political environmentsof
his people. and none other ls more Jealous
for their improvement.
Fortune was born of slave parents at
Mariana, jackson county, Fla. in 1853. He
was a remarkably bright boy and attracted
the attention of tho leading men of the
place by hlS eagerness to acquire knowl-
edge. Before he was eighteen he was an
too small, went to Jacksonville and was
employed IA a printer on the Union, the
leading paper. While engaged in this pur-
suit he studied to improve his knowledge
and soon became famous as n of
the brightest men Of his race in
the state. His talents attracted the
attention of Congressman Purman, and tho
latter secured for him an appointment as
mail agent attached to the Jacksonville
rostofice. He did not remain long in this
position and left it to become a special in
spector of customs at Loves, Dol. He filled
both positions creditably and left ths latter
to enter Howard university, at Washington,
from which he WAS graduated with honor.
He spent a year or more in teaching school
IN his native state, contributing
SO the press and magazines q number of ar
ticles which attracted attention by their
force, and soon became a recognized au-
thoaity upon the race problem of America.
His writings promoted Independence of
thought and political action among the ne
groes and at the same time taught them
self restraint. lie avoided craftsmanship.
After d while Fortune came to Now York
and secured employment on the Witness,
at the time the leading organ of the col
ored people, and served in NJ editorial Ca
pacity on two or three j%ournalD which cue
ceeded the Witness. Three years ago he
Upon a paying basis. 1t is the most ably
conducted paper published in the interests
of the colored race. Before taking con-
troll of it Fortune was a valued member of
the staff of the Evening Sum- and contrib
uted various articles to the columns of the
MOfNlNg DUN, loT WHICH uo stlll WTltoS CC-
sionally. He was offered, bat declined, 20
Eitions upon the STATS Of other city dailies.
His style of composition 10 clear and grace
full and his copy is admirably prepared for
the printer.
In politics Fortune has been liberal. He
says he has tried all parties and is qualified
to estimate their good and bad points.
He was a prohibitionist and left that fold
because he discovered that prohibition did
not prohibit. One OF the most enthusiastic
exponents of tariff reform, he rendered val
uable services to tho democratic party in
advocating the election of Cleveland, but
left the party in the last campaign because
he commended the leaders of it had broken
thar promises to his people. Now he il a
republican, although the champion of his
race first and at all times. For his services
to the democratic party he could have Sc
cured almost any position he desired, but
declined all offers. He did not seek the
nomination for the Haytian mission, but al
the solicitation of a great many people,
both white and colored, decided to become
has received moro endorsements of Fortune
than were ever offered in favor of a colosed
man.
Mr.. Fortune has an office On Cedar street,
md is assisted in his journalistic venture
by u corps of very bright Young colored
men, first of whom is Mr.. Peterson. MIR.
Fortune lives in the eastern district of
Brooklyn in u neat cottage. His wife is an
unusually bright woman. She ia a graduate |
of Putnam institute at Jacksonville, and
has contributed much to her husbands sue
cess. There are two children, one of which |
came but q few weeks ago. Mr.. Fortune is
not a wealthy man, but is oontented and
has before him a future that is bright with
promise.