Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-07-30
The Bridge Burner. "

de1Dlng MS relation 10 Inc peoples
party stated that be had burned all
his bridges behind him." and that it
was now impossible for bin ever again
to affiliate with his former associates.
1t may be remembered by the older
people that when General John
Pope took command of the Army
of Virginia in 1862 and
started down to drive the whole rebel
army back into Richmond, he issued
that celebrated bridge burning order
in which he so enthusiastically declared
that the Army of Virginia had burned
the bridges in its rear, and that it was
impossible for it to retreat. Bnt when
six weeks later that army was wading
rivers and creeks in its disgraceful
flight from Manassas, with Jackson
and Longstreet at its heels, the bridge
burning manifesto appeared somewhat
ridiculous. 1t is possible that Judge
Nicholson may yet have use for the
bridges.
Since his honor has seen proper to
step down from the independent and
honorable position which his constitu-
ents have supposed that he heretofore
occupied and has entered the squabble
of party politics, joined in the scram-
bic for Office and has accepted the NOM
inatiOn of partisan caucus with such
remarkable gustO, it is perfectly meet
and proper that the people of this
district should understand this appar-
emily unnecessary confagration and
useless waste of property, and also tie
character of the political food on
which our distinguished fellow citizen
proposes to feed on the other side of
the river.
There has never been any doubt
about Mr.. Nicholson being candidate
for reelection to the Office Of judge
from the date of his election in 1887 to
the present time. The only question
with him has been how best to accom-
plish that much desired result. He
has been a Observation-Disclosures
crat prohibitiOnist democrat mug
wump periodically. His political
principles seem to be sufficiently hexi-
bic that he can adapt them to any
party the people see proper to usher
into the arena. He can cast aside one
set of principles and espouse another,
as easily as he can cast off his old coat
and don a new suit. And it may be |
said to his credit that new principles |
always seem to fit him,
1t has only been a few weeks since |
this judicial farmer decided that his
chances for reelection would be greatly |
enhanced by his joining the citizens |
alliance. He honOred the organization
at Council Grove with his membership.
We dOnOt propose to give any of the
secrets of the alliance away; but so
that our readers may understand the
strength of the ties by which new
member is bound to this secret politi-
cal party, we will repeat the obligations
as communicated to us by little bird
whose nest was in the ceiling off the
lodge room on the night our friend was
initiated. The following obligation is
taken by the candidate in the ante
room;
l, - --, in the presence nf
Almighty God, do declare .; NV honor
tu"V ! VIII new, II dIvulge anything seen
..~..lu or done whilst in this order; and
that should l, after having gone further
object to any part Of the workings of
this order, that will simply withdraw
and consider the pledge of secrecy l
have taken binding on me until
death.
Here originated the first fire which
was subsequently applied to "bridge
burning" After getting into the
lodge room the following binding IesO-
luton is taken:
l, ---, in the presence of
Almighty God and these witnesses, do
hereby pledge myself to this assembly
that do this day renounce all ale
glance to the old political parties and
declare myself in full sympathy with
the peoples party, the principles of
which were endorsed by the farmers
alliance and different labor organiza-
lions at st. Louis on the 9Th day of
naoov,ha
pledge to this assembly that will use
every honorable means in my power to
advance the interests of this peoples
party by inducing every man, both 1
white and black, to cast his vote for
he peoples ticket, which is for the
against the classes.
This is when the bridge burning
commenced. 1t is understood that
'Chinaman" Smith administered this
The next "bridge burning" by Mr..
Nicholson of which we have any public
was at the convention on
he 18th, at Junction City.
Judge Nicholson found few of his
Id political associates in the Junction
}ity conventiOn. Those present were
! motley crowd, and seem to have dis {
rusted all of their candidates. 1t was
lot sufficient that Mr.. Nicholson had :
n his solemn obligation sworn to {
'renOunee allegiance to the old politi- |
al parties" and had solemnly declared 5