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138 and earnest advocate of every good principle in each. In other words, Mr. Fortune stands as an independent thinker in politics, as in other matters of public interest. His political writings as editor of The Freeman, during President Cleveland's Administration, were watched with interest by thousands of intelligent Afro-Americans, and by a large portion of whites, who were constant readers of his paper.

As an editor of The Freeman, he was the first to suggest and further the National League idea, to prevent mob violence and intimidation of his people at the South.

Mr. Fortune's book, entitled "Black and White," is a credit to him and the race. It is generally looked upon as being a fine work. He is also author of "The Negro in Politics." It can be truly said that Mr. Fortune is an excellent specimen of what the Afro-American may do in journalism, and what he will do. He is surely the "Prince of Journalists," and his writings have won for him a life-long reputation as "editor, author, pamphleteer and agitator." For a man so young, who has already climbed so many rounds in the hard ladder of journalism and authorship, who will say he may not reach the top before the allotted years of man have run into the minutes and seconds of a ripe and honored old age?

Colonel William Murrell, whose life is full of interesting events, and whose labor in journalism has been of a lengthy period, was born a slave in the state of Georgia. He was in the war as valet to Confederate General Longstreet, and after the latter's death he enlisted as a soldier in the 44th Regiment Virginia and South Carolina troops. After the war he moved to Louisiana, where he served in the State Legislature either as door-keeper or representative for nine