Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1896-10-29
NORTON FOR BRYAN.
The MiddIe-of-the Road Populist
Candidate,
Beaten In the St. Louis Convention Comes
Out SquareIy for the Chicago NOmInee,
Whom He ExtOIs as the Greatest
Man Before the Public for Years.

WASHINGTON, Oct 22.-Col. S. E.
Norton, Chicago, who was the candi.
date OF the middle-of-the-road popu-
lists at the St Louis convention, has
written to Chairman Butler, the fol-
lowing communication:
CHICAGO Oct. Is, 1896
Hon Marion BusIer, Chairman Peoples Party
COBEHitfee:
DEAR SIR: However much populists may
have differed az St Louis to the correct
policy 10 adopt: however much some Of Us
may still believe that mistakes were made,
under existing circumstances, there is only
one course 20 pursue, and that Is "a
ally and earnestly support Mr.
Bryan, not SO much for the sake Of
eleyating him to the presidency as for the pur-
pose OF defeating what may be appropriately
and most expresSively termed Mark Hanna
repuUIIcanism- Although some Of Us regret
certain fusion arrangements which have been
made, ii Is noticeable tact that no other man
in lLe United States Is 50 much troubled about
IL Is the manager o. the republican Campaign
never realized before how republicans have
always respected" and ~nonored' the pOpu-
list party, TIL il fused with the democratic
party. II any consolation is needed, however,
Tor tAIs loss Of republican esteem, IL may be
found II the fact that Messrs. Cleveland, Car
lls4e and Palmer have become the iegatees
thereof Our political allies in this campaign
AOL nave treated Us as I3lrly ana justly
as they ought IN the matter OF representation
OF wee presidential electors; and this seems
10 lie the chief cause Of complaint, for /
have Jet TO meet with a popuiIst who
does not admit that Mr.. Bryan Is the ableSt
AM most fearless champion OF reform princi-
pies that the TefOrmers themselves have
chosen in the last 20 years. 1t Is an event in
history TO IND man backed by more than
4OUJ,OJO voters VINO has the patriotism and
Courage TO stand up faced By the combined
a71n Fl rnafr n
ing wOrus OF defiance: You shall not cruelty
mankind on q cross OF gold" Mistakes may
have OUen made AMI injustice may have been
done anu particularly IN the northern states,
where tie Hover OF the army is TO be found
but this Is not a time to settle accounts, ad-
Just wrongs or correct mistakes. We
are in the face Of the enemy; we
are upon the field Of battle; the well
fare Of our country is at stake; a sacred
cause Is trembling IN the balance; our oppO-
nents are dangerously well equipped and thor
oughIy organized, and the contest Is tierce and
relentless; ali personal ambitions, therefore.
should be suppressed; ali personal grievances
should be deferred until Iae battle won OF
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 refOrnerS have encountered during the
last twenty years, We find to-day among his
DIttereSL and most relentless opponents. Every
mOnOpOlistIc corporation, every oppressor OF
labor, every land grabber, every trust and com
bIIe, every rObber syndicate, every million
al. { stock Jobber, every subsidized news paper,
every well paid corporation lawyer. every mil
AonaIre coal baron, every shyIock creditor and
every plundeTer OF the worlds WealLh-prod
cers-au OF these old-time enemies whom re-
formers have met on so many battledeldS, are
to-day Mr.. Bryan's enemies. II 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 hon.
ored ana battle-scarred flag of reform which
the old guard has held alOfL SO bravely and he
roically all these long and trying years, and
anxious Solicitude to the outcome may
be excusable. Bat let Us not be unneceSsa-
rily 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 be-
tray 1t; time-serTers cannot sell it out; inju-
dicious friends cannot destroy it; defeat can
not demoraIize it; its opponents, however |
powerful and crafty, cannot crush it; even the !
gates of hell cannot prevail against it.
For % years, although subjected to all the |
dangerous pitfalls, perIlS and QuickSandS incl !
dent to the development Of a new party, it 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 /
realize this fact, and that he will soon learn /
to rely upon the counsel and support of the !
new party which has reyoIutionlZed the poll |
tics OF the country. forced to the front new /
and vital issues and made it possible for the /
p Ople, instead OF ofice-seeking politicians, to /
place champion OF progressive ideas at the |
head Of the government 1 believe that he /
will appreciate the fact that we have placed |
in the hollow of his hand not only the unset |
fish hopes and patriotic aspirations Of the |
populIst party, but the most sacred cause that |
was ever entrusted to living man. and that he |
viii not betray the trust.
Ia conclusion, permit me to say that il my !
~ years OF work entities me to the confidence |
OF my cO-workers, let me ask them to lay |
aside every other consideration and help elect |
MI Bryan-not for his sake, but for the sake /
OF the principles which all hold dear and /
sacred II success is achieved the populiss |
party can never be denied the glory of the |
victory. II defeat await US and our standard /
bearer falls let there be popuIist arrows
found in his breast or in his back. Let the /
responsibility rest upon other shoulders than
our own Sincerely yours.
>. F. NORTON.