Evening star., 1896-10-21
MR.. NORTON'S LETTER
His Views Of the Duty Of Populists in This
Campaign.
Thinks They Should Lay Aside Every
Other Confederation and
Help Elect Bryan.


widespread circulation. 1t is letter from
Col. S. F. Norton, who was voted for by
the middle-of-the-rosdp populists at .he St.
Louis convention as their candidate for
President. Many of the middle-of-the-road
leaders still threaten to put Colonel Norton
in the field in states where they 10 not
think they have received a square deal in
the fusion arrangements. 1t Is also not
improbable that Colonel Norton may re-
ceive a few votes in the electoral college
Should the Texas populists carry that
state the electors will, 1t is said, vote for
Colonel Norton. Complications may also
arise which would lead to his being voted
for by other states which the popultsts
dominate.
Mr. Norton's Letter.
Chairman Butler wrote to Colonel Norton
asking him his views of the duty Of popu-
lists in this campaign. Colonel Nor.on's
answer is as follows, and is published for
the first time in The Star:
CHICAGO, October 15 1896.
Hon. Marion Butler, Chairman Peoples
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
much for the sake of elevating him to the
presidency ,as for the purpose of defeating
what may be appropriately and most eX-
pressively termed Mark Hanna republican
ism. Although some Of us regret certain
fusion arrangements which have been
made it Is noticeable fact that no other
man in the United States is so much trou-
hled about 1t as the manager of the repub-
lican campaign. / never realized before
how highly republicans have always ire
spected" and 'honored' the populist party
It'll 1. fused with the democrats" 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 there
of.
Mistakes May Have Been Made.
Our political allies In this campaign may
not have treated US as 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 /
have yet to meet with popuist. who does
not admit that Mr.. Bryan is the ablest ani
mcst fearless champion of reform princi
pies that reformers themselves have chosen
in the last twenty years. 1t is an event in
history to find man, backed by more than
4,OOOO voters, who has the patriotism and
courage to stand up frOnt-faced before the
combined money power of the world and
hurl in their teeth the burning words of de-
farce: You shall not cruelty mankind on
cross of gold!' Mistakes may have been
made and injustice may have been done,
especially in the southern states where the
flower of the populist army is to be founi.
but this is not the time to settle accounts,
adjust wrongs, discuss differences or cor
rect 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 balance, our opponents
10 vryall thr,.
oughly organized, and the contest is fierce
and relentless; all personal ambitions there
fore should be suppressed, all personal
grievances should be forgotten, and all
minor differences should be deferred till the
battle is won or lost. Every gun should be
turned upon the common enemy
MIR. Bryan's Enemies.
Whether Mr.. Bryan is a populist or not,
one thing is absolutely certain, every enc
my which reformers have encountered dur
ing the last twenty years we find today
among his bitterest and most relentless
opponents. Every monopolistic corporation,
every oppressor of labor. every land grab
ber, every trust and combine, every robber
syndicate. every millionaire stock jobber
every subsidized newspaper, every we'll
paid corporate lawyer every millionaire
coal baron, every shylock creditor and
every plunderer Of the worlds wealth. pro-
reformers 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.
The Future All Right.
We. the pioneer workers, have all fondly
hoped that we might have the satisfaction
and the glory of carrying to victory the
t:me-honored and battle-sacred flag of re-
form which the Old guard has held aloft
80 bravely and heroically all these long and
trying years, and anxious solicitude as to
the outcome may be excusable. But let US
not be unnecessarily alarmed about the fu-
ture of the reform movement. It has pass
ed the danger point. It is capable of taking
care Of itself under any and all circum-
stances. Traitors cannot betray it.; time
servers cannot sell it out: injudcious
friends cannot destroy it; defeat cannot de-
moralize it; its opponents. however power
full and crafty. cannot crush It: even the
gates Of hell cannot prevail against it.
For twenty years, although subjected to
all the dangerous pitfalls, perils and quick
sands incident to the development of new
party, 1t has grown to be the greatest
day. 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
Of the country, forced to the front new and
vital issues and made it possible for the
people, instead of office-seeking politicians
to place a 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 unsefish hopes and patriotic as
pirations of the populist party, but the
most sacred cause that was ever entrusted
to living man, and that he will not betray
the trust.
Final Advice.
In conclusion. permit me to say that If
my twenty years of work entities me to
the confidence of my co-workers, let me
ask them to lay aside every other consid-
Grafton and help elect Mr.. 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 victory.
II defeat await US, and our standard bear
er falls, let there be no populist errows
found either in his breast or in his back
Let the responsibility rest upon other shoul-
ders than our own. Sincerely yours.
s. F. NORTON.
Patents Allowed.
Patents have been issued to the follow
ing Washington inventors: Wilford L. Pal
mer, a can opener; Edmund w. Woodruff,