The Helena independent., 1894-10-27
THE TRUE RING TO It.
An Address Issued TO the Colored
Voters OF the State OF
Montana
The Afro-AmerioAa HeisAa-tos-the.C Capt
tai Club on the Issues 81 shs
Great Contest

To the Colored Citizens of Montanas
When great exigencias arise that In
any manner pertain 10 our government,
whether general or local the colored
man has always been found true and
loyal or all nationalities or races with
In the borders Of this great and glor-
ions country, none are more nrm IN their
belief or convictions regarding true
American principles than are We.
through whose veins the blood OF Ham
flows. Whenever and wherever a blow
is leveled at the interests or welfare Of
any community OF colored citizens. II
matters not how. or by whom. that
stroke, like the visitation OF some
dreaded plague, permeates the atmos-
phere, and each and every one OF us
suffer more or less from the bllghting
influence.
The fair name OF our state Is nssalled
by foreign powers. the prosperity Of five
hundred colored citizens OF Helena is
jeopardized, and the "Afro-Ameriean
Helena a-for- or-the-Capital club" appeal 20
their brethren, you who love your race.
you who are loyal TO every cause
Throughout the length and breadth OF
Montana, 10 stand steadsaqt and true in
this great battle against injustice and
Oppression. Uphold and maintain the
reputation you have acquired. and save
our beloved state from shame. and
thousands OF dollars worth ~ property
owned by your fellow colored citizens
from depreciation. The iron CLAW Of cor
porate infernalism las always crushed
out the black man from every FAC tory
or workshop, and the Anaconda copper,
company is no exception TO the rule.
This question of locating The perma-
nent capital ls a very grave one. and our
colored brothers In neighboring cities
should not bend their knees TO petty
nonsense. Take not the shadow for the
substance. Be not fattered by honeyed
words. nor blinded by lying Judases
who prate about prejudice against the
colored man In Helena. While we do
not claim TO be visited by angels, yet
some OF us can boast OF being pioneers,
not only Of Montana. but of Helena, and
have resided and labored midst the
fairer complexloned citizens OF this now
beautiful city since its inception. Wealth
has been accumulated. and We can
proudly say that whether professional
men, merchants or laborers be sought.
our city can produce them in black as
well as white. Practically. there is no
more prejudice shown in Helena on ac-
count OF color than In any other city in
Montana. our business men are as pros
porous as the average citizen and are
patronIzed by all people alike.
Would our friends and brothers
throughout his state be persuaded by
the Establishments and fallacies OF a
known enemy rather than lend a help
| ing hand TO their friend? We cannot be-
faint-hearted by taking leap in the
dark. In the name Of all that is dear to
us, in the name Of posterity. let IL not
go forth TO the world that the colored
man, by voting for grasplng corpora
tons and trusts. erected a barricade
against himself
We cannot conclude this address with
OUT IelteTatlnB tndt the accusations ap-
piled TO Helena concerning the preJu-
dice on account OF color. are base false
hoods, manufactured in the minds OF
hirelings for the sole purpose of poison
ing your minds against our
beautiful city. Our prosperous
condition. the accumulation of
thousands OF dollars worth OF
real estate, the unexcelled opportunities
and advantages which Helena affords
and holds out 10 the eolored man speak
for US with all the solemnity and gravi-
~, but in atentorlan tones, calling upon
every man of our race To cast his vote
on the sixth day Of November for Hell
ena for the capital.
GEO, NJ LEE, President.
T. ], HAMMER, Sec'y.