The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-11-01
VOTE FOR CLEVELAND.


Advice to Coiored Men From y pr0miB-
ont Member Of tho Race.
THE INDEPENDENT ID enabled to print tho
following letter from a leading colored
man in Rhode Island. through the kindness
Of J. u. W. Clark, OF Helena. The writer,
Geo. 4. Downing, WAS for n number OF
years a caterer in Washington, and Ia to-
day a very well-to-do man. He owns a
number Of business houses In Newport and
10 one of the leading men Of his race in
that aection. A number Of years ago. when
Mr.. Clark lived in Washington, Mr.. Down
ing talked to him about the future of their
race and tried to show him that the best
thing the oolored people could do for them
selves, in a political way. was to divide
their support between the two great parties.
Mr.. Clark had been reared q republican,
but the seeds dropped by Mr.. Downing
took root, he read and studied for himself,
and as a result he became a democrat sew
eral years ago, and to-day there is no
~stricter party man in Holena than he.
About two weeks ago Mr.. Clark WI ote Mr..
Downing telling him for the first time Of
the change in his political faith. In reply
he yesterday received the following:
NEwpoRr. X. l., Oct. ~, 1892.
Mi. Joseph Il. W. Clark:
Dear Sir-Your very kind favor is before
me. ] was glad to receive it, and it WAS
pleasant to be assured that nm honest word
in season had brought forth euoh happy re-.
suits. ! have no faith in either OF the par
ties when the point 10 to do justice to the
oolored citizen, because il 10 his due; there
are individuals in both parties who are
justly disposed, but too many are swayed
by what they regard az conflicting inter
ests. Ny policy il to make it to tho inter-
est OF the democratic party to treat the
colo ed people with moro consideration.
Its members want power, and the black
vote can be greatly instrumental in giving
it to them. Let us cause them to consider
that fact. and that the conditions of things
to-day favo-s their changing their policy.
II ia already greatly changed. When they
land, who is as favorablv disposed toward
the oolored citizen as is Mr.. Harrison. and
who can influence his party fayorably
toward us (the needed thing to be o be-
fore we can entertain much hope), it is the
Part OF wisdom to support him.. His ad-
ministration was a great gain for the col
ored man. The latter's condition in the south
was better than it had been under Presi-
dent Harrison's administration and GER
tainly can 10 no worse under a democratic
administration with Cleveland ut it's head.
Should there be an increase Of outraRes it
would result in pushing forward our cause.
but l have no fear as to any such increase.
The republican party has not, with oppor-
t~unities at its hand. protected us. 1t
tells US it nno and we are forced to ap-
peal elsewhere to those who must relax
their policy adverse to US. If they have Q
part Of the colorsd vote to carry out their
financial and similar policies it will make
them interested in defending that vote. 1t ia
good policy to beget respect through such
an agency and especially as all colored men
on all sides agree in the declaration that
the republican party ls not fair in its deal
ings with its hitherto devoted and heroic
colored defenders. GEO. Il. DOWNING.