The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-10-28
A STRONG APPEAL.
Mr.. BRYAN'S ELECTION MUST BE PUT
ABOVE PARTY.

This ia What Colonel Norton, the Middle
of the Road PopuIist Candidate for Pres
It,ent, says-A Strong Appeal to His Fol-
lowers.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 2l.--Colonel s.
+. Norton, of Illinois, who was the
candidate of the Middle ofthe RoaG
Populists at the st. Louis convention
has written to Chairman Butler the
following communication:
Chicago, Oct. Is, 1896.
Hon. Marion Butler, Chairman Peo
Piles 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 Sc
much for the sake of elevating him I?
the Presidency as for the purpose OF
defeating what may be appropriately
and most expressively termed Mark
Hanna Republicanism. Although some
of us regret certain fusion arrange
ments Which have been made, it is q
noticeable fact that no other man IN
the United States is so much troubled
about it as the manager of the Repub'
lican campaign. 1 never realized be-
fore how highly Republicans have al.
ways respected and honored the Popu'
list party. "till 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 OF
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 find a 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, q
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 a 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 monopoiistic corporation, every
oppressor of labor, every land grab
ber, every trust and combine, every
robber syndicate, every millionaire,
stock jobber, every subsidized news
paper, every we'll 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 preVail against it.
For twenty years, although sub,
jected to all the dangerous pitfalls,
perils and quicksand incident to the
development ola new party, it has
grown to be the greatest factor in the
arena of American politics today. And
if elected, I 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 revoIutionized
the politics of the country, forced
TO the front new and vital is
sues and made it possible for the peo
pie, instead Of oflce.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 OF
his hand not only the unsellish hopes
/ and patriotic aspiratiOns Of the popu.