The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1896-10-23
LETTER TO POPULISTS.
Chief Of the Middle Of.the ROaders is
for Bryan.
Tells His Followers. to Forget Minor DIFF
ferences for the Present and support
the Great CommOner.

Butler to-day received letter from
Hon. S. f. Norton of Illinois, the
favorite candidate of the middle of
the road Populists for the Presiden-
tial nomination at the St. Louis con-
vention, announcing his support Of
Mr.. Bryan and advising POpulisN
everywhere to assist in Mr.. BryanN
election.
Mr.. Norton advises Populists to
forgive for the time any unjust treat
ment from the Democrats and post
pone the settlement of minor differ
ences until after the election.
"If," he says, success is assured,
the Popuiist party cannot be denied
the glory of the victory whether
Mr.. Bryan is Populist or not. The
thing absolutely certain is that every
enemy refOrmers have encountered
during the last twenty years we find
to-day among Mr.. Bryan's bitterest
and most relentless opponents. If
they are his enemies he must be our
friend. His success is their defeat,
their defeat is our victory"
The letter also says: 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 de-
feating what may be appropriately
and most eXpressively termed Mark
Hanna Republicanism. Although
some of us may regret certain fusion
arrangements which have been made
it is noticeable fact that no other
man in the United States is so much
troubled about them as the manager
of the Republican campaign. new
er realized before now how highly
Republicans always have 'honored
and respected the Populist party
till it fused with the Democrats. II
any consolation is needed, however,
for the loss of Republican esteem it
may be found in the fact that Messrs.
Cleveland, Carlisle and Palmer have
become the legatees thereof"
Mr.. Norton, in concluding his let
ter, alludes to the fears entertained
by some members of the Populist
party that its separate existence and
the advancement of some of its priD-
ciples other than that of silver might
be endangered by fusion, saying:
LET us not be unnecessarily
alarmed about the future of the re-
form movement. 1t has passed the
danger point. 1t is capable of TAX
ing care of itself under any and all
circumstances. Traitors cannot be-
tray it, injudicious friends cannot
destroy it; defeat cannot demoralize
lit. Its opponents, however power.
full 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 quicksands incident tC
the development of new party, il
has grown to be the greatest factor
in the arena of American politics to-
day, and if elected, / 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 revolu.
tionized the politics Of the country
forced to the front new and vital is
sues and made it possible for the
people, instead of office-seeking poll
ticians, to place champion of pro.
gressive ideas at the head of the
Government. l believe he will APP
preciate the fact thatwe have placed
in the hollow of his hand, not only
the unselfish hopes and patriotic as
pirations of the Populist party, but
the most sacred cause that was ever
trusted to living man, and that he
will not betray the trust.
I'm conclusion, permit me to say
that If my twenty years of work en-.
titles me to the confidence of my CO.
workers, let me ask them to lay
aside every other consideration anC
help elect Mr.. Bryan, not for his
sake, but for the sake of the princi
pies which we all hold dear anC
sacred. If success is achieved, the
Populist party can never be denied
the glory of the victory. If defeat
awaits us and our standard bearer
fails, let there be no Populist ar
rows found either in his breast mol
in his back. Let the responsibility
rest upon other shoulders than oul
own" {.