The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1896-10-28
A STRONG APPEAL
MR. BRYAN'S ELECTION MUST BE PUT
ABOVE PARTY.

lowers.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21.-Colonei S.
F. Norton, Of Illinois, who was the
candidate of the Middle of. the Road
Popuiists at the st. Louis convention,
has written to Chairman Butler the
following communication:
Chicago, Oct. u, 1896.
Hon. Marion Butler, Chairman Peo-
pies Party Committee:
Dear Sir: However much Populists
may have differed at st. Louis as to
the correct policy to adopt; however
much some of us may still believe that
mistakes were made, under existing
circumstances, there is only one course
TO pursue, and that is to Loyalty and
earnestly support Mr.. Bryan-not so
much for the sake OF elevating him to
the Presidency as for the purpose Of
defeating what may be appropriately
and most expresslvely termed Mark
Hanna Republicanism. Although some
OF us regret certain fusion arrange
ments which have been made, it is a
noticeable fact that no other man in
the United States is so much troubled
about it as the manager of the Repub.
lican campaign. / never realized be-
fore how highly Republicans have al
ways respected and honored the Popu-
list party. "till l fused with the Dem
ocrats." If any consolation is needed,
however, for this loss Of Republican
esteem, it may be found in the fact
that Messrs. Cleveland, Carlisle and
Palmer have become the legatees
thereof.
Our political allies in this campaign
may not have treated US fairly and
Justly as they ought. in the matter o.
representation Of Vice Presidential
electors; and this seems to be the chief
cause of complaint, for I have yet to
meet with Populist who does not ad-
nit that Bryan is the ablest and most
fearless champion of reform principles
that reformers themselves have chosen
in the last twenty years. 1t is an
event in history to ind man backed
by more than four million voters, who
has the patriotism and courage to
stand up front-faced before the COM
bined money powers of the world and
hurl in their teeth the burning words
OF defiance: You shall not cruelty
mankind on the cross OF gold. " Mis-
takes may have been made and injus-
tice may have been done, especially
in the Southern States where the
flower Of the Populist army is to be
found, but this is not the time to SET
tie accounts, adjust wrongs, discuss
differences or to correct mistakes.
We are in the face of the enemy,
we are upon the field of battle, the
welfare of our country is at stake, a
sacred cause is trembling in the bal
ance, our opponents are dangerously
well equipped and thoroughly organ
lied, and the contest is fierce and re-
lentless; all personalities should there
fore be suppressed, all personal griev,
ances should be forgotten, and all mi,
nor differences should be deferred till
the battle is won or lost. Every gun
should be turned upon the common
enemy.
Whether Mr.. Bryan is Populist or
not, one thing is absolutely certain,
every enemy which reformers have
encountered during the last twenty
years we find today among his bitter
est and most relentless opponents.
Every monopolistic corporation, every
oppressor Of labor, every land grab
Der, every trust and combine, every
robber syndicate, every millionaire,
stock jobber, every subsidized news
paper every well paid corporation
lawyer, millionaire coal baron, every
shylock creditor and every plunderer
of the worlds wealth. producers-all
Of these old time enemies whom re-
formers have met on so many battle
fields, are today Mr.. Bryan's enemies
If they are his enemies he must be our
friend. His success is their defeat
their defeat is our victory.
We, the pioneer workers, have all
fondly hoped that we might have the
satisfaction and the glory OF carrying
to victory the time honored and battle
scared flag Of reform which the old
guard has held aloft so bravely and
heroically all these long trying years,
and anxious solicitude as to the out.
come may be excusable. But let us
not be unnecessarily alarmed about
the future OF the reform movement.
1t has passed the danger point: 1t IS
capable OF taking care Of itself under
any and all circumstances. Traitors
cannot betray it; time-servers cannot
sell it out; injudicious friends cannot
destroy it; defeat cannot demoralize
it; its opponents however powerful
and crafty. cannot crush it; even the
gates of hell cannot reSail against it.
For twenty years, although sub
jected to all the dangerous pitfalls,
perils and quicksand incident TO the
development ola new party, 1t has
grown to be the greatest factor in the
arena Of American politics today. And
if elected, l believe that Mr.. Bryan
will not be slow to recognize this fact,
and that he will soon learn to rely
upon the counsels and support OF the
new party which has revoIutionlzed
the politics of the country, forced
to the front new and vital IS
sues and made it possible for the peo'
pie instead of seeking politicians
to place a champion of progressive
ideas at the head of Government
believe that he will appreciate the fact
that we have placed in the hollow oi
his hand not only the unseltish hopes
and patriotic aspirations OF the Popu
list party, but the most sacred cause
that was ever entrusted to living man,
and that he will not betray the trust.
In conclusion, permit me to say
that If my twenty years Of work entl,
ties me to the confidence OF my co
workers, let me ask them, to lay aside
every other consideration and help
elect M-. Bryan-not for his sake, but
for the sake of the principles which
we all hold dear and sacred. If sue
cess is achieved the Populist party
can never, be denied the glory OF the