The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1896-10-29
COL. NORTON
FOR BRYAN.
The Candidate Of The Middle Of
The Road" Populists Writes a
Strong Letter to Chairman
Butler.
GREAT ISSUES AT STAKE.

He Says The Election OF Bryan Is Of The
supremest Importancs-Appeals TO
Every PopuIist to Put Patriotism. and
Country Above Every Other Con.idera-
tion-The Peoples Opportunity.
CHICAGO, Oct. Is. 1896.
H9n. Marion Butler, Chairman PsopIes
Party Committee:
DEAR SIR: However much Popu-
lists may have differed at st. Louis as
TO the correct policy to adopt; how
ever much some OF us may still believe
that mistakes were made, under exist
ing circumstances there is only one
course to pursue, and that is to loyal
ly support Mr.. Bryan-not SO much
for the sake of elevating him to the
Presidency, as for the purpose Of de-
featlng what may be appropriately
and most expressively termed Mark
Hanna Republieanism. Although
some Of us may regret certain fusion
arrangements which have heen made,
it is noticeable fact, that no other
man in the United States is so much
troubled abOnt il as the manager OF the
Republican campaign. l never real
lZed before how mighty Republicans
have always respected" and ''honor-
ed the Populist farty 'till it fused
with the Democrats" If any consoIa-
tion is needed, however, for this loss
Of Republican esteem it may be found
in the fact that Messr5. Cleveland, Car
Isle and Palmer have become the
legatees thereof.
Our political allies in this campaign
may not have treated us as fairly and
inc tkxya hnx It I,., -
representation Of vice Presidential
electors; and this seems 10 be the chief
cause of complaint, for [ have yet to
meet with Populist, who does rot ad
nit that Mr.. Bryan Is the ablest and
most fearless champion of reform prin-
ciples, that the reformers themselves
have chosen in the last twenty years.
1t is an event in history to fad man,
backed by more than four million vOt-
ers, who has the patriotism and cour-
age to stand up front faced before the
combined money power of the world
and hurl in their teeth the burning
words of defiance: "Iou shall not
cruelty mankind on cross Of gOld!"
Mistakes may have been made and in
justice may have been done, especi-
ally in the Southern States where the
flower of the POpulist army is to be
found, but this is not the time
to settle accounts, adjust wrongs,
discuss differences or correct
mistakes. We are in the face
of the enemy, we are upon the field Of
battle, the welfare of cur country is at
stake, sacred cause is trembling III
the balance, our opponents are dan1-
gerously well equipped and thorough
ly organized, and the contest is fierce
and relentless; all personal ambitions
therefore should be suppressed, all
personal grievances should be forgot
ten, and all minor differences should
be deferred till the battle is won or
lost. Every gun should be turned
Gp0n the common enemy.
Whether Mr.. Bryan is Populist or
not, one thing is absolutely certain,
every enemy which refOrmers have en-
cOuntered during the last twenty
years we find to-day among his bitter
est and most relentless opponents.
Every moncpOiistic corporation, every
cppressor Of labor, every land grabber,
every trust and combine, every robber
jobber, every subsidized newspaper,
every Well-paid corporation lawyer,
every millionaire coal baron, every
shylock creditor and every piunderer
of the worlds wealth. producers-all
of these old-time enemies, whom re-
formers have met on so many battle
fields, are to- day 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 etime-hOnored and bat
tle-scarred flag of reform which the
old guard has held aloft SO 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 future OF the reform movement.
1t has passed the danger point. Lt~is
capable of taking care of itself under
any and all circumstances. Traitors
cannot betray it; time-servers cannot
sell it out; I'M judici0us friends cannot
destroy 1t; 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 subjected
to all the dangerous pitfalls, perils
and Guicksands incident to the Cevel-
opment OF a new party, it has grown
to be the great 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 cOuusels and support of the new
party which has revolutionized the
politics of the country, forced TO the
front new and vital issues and made
il possible for the people instead of
office seeking politicians to place a
champion Of progressive ideas at the
head OF the government. [ believe that
he will appreciate the fact that we
have placed in the hollow of his hand,
| not only the unselfish hopes and pa
| triOtic aspirations OF the Populists 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 entities
me to the confidence of my cO-work-
ers let me ask them to lay aside every
other consideration and help elect Mr.
Bryan-nOt for his sake, but for the
principles which we all hold so dear
and 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
falls let there be no Populist arrows
found either in his breast or in hi
back. Let the responsibility rest upol
other shoulders than our own.
l oranroa- sam ron rucyo..