The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-08-02
CHARLES A. TOWNE.
SACRIFICED AMBITION ON AL
TAR OF PATRIOTISM.
Might Have Been Named with Bryan
Had He Been q self-seeker-A Gold
Bug Papers Tribute to the Silver
Champion.

1t would be difficult to discover, in
the array of people politically promi-
nent in America at this time. char
acter more worthy of respect and ad-
mlration than that of the Hon. Charles
A. Towne. of Minnesota. True to his
faith and principles, single-minded,
sincere and unselfsh, he stands before
the people today an exemplar of sim
pie, self-sacrificing American honesty
and patriotism.
| No doubt Mr. Towne would have
liked to be Vice President of the Unit
ed States. If he had used his oppor-
tunities at Kansas City as dema-
gogue would have utilized them, he
might perhaps have forced himself
upon the ticket with Mr.. Bryan, who
wanted him as his running mate with
all the intensity Of his aggressive and
determined nature But Mr.. Towne
had aims and purposes higher than the
qualification Of personal ambition.
Already the Vice Presidential candi
date Of the Populists, he could have
been named for the same Office by the
Silver Republicans at their Kansas
City Convention. Thus REINFORCED,
his claims upon the Democratic Ma
tional Convention, considering the cir
cusnstances of the year, might have
been dangerous to ignore. But, rath-
er than embarrass the great leader he
hopes to see in the White House next
hrino oil Mt
of discord into the camp of the
popular army which has been mobi-
lized to fight for the people and instl-
tutions against the trust and monop-
oily forces who would subvert them, he
refused to let his name go before the
Silver Republican Convention, and has
now announced his intention to de-
cline the Populist nomination when
he shall be formally notified that it
has been given to him.
Without shadow of regret or sore
ness in his attitude, Mr.. Towne ap-
peared as one of the distinguished re-
| cetv1ng party which greeted his sue
cessful competitor, the Hon. Adlai E.
Stevenson, when that gentleman
reached Lincoln on Monday, to pay his
respects to the Presidential candidate.
If he concealed a wish that he might
have been the nominee instead of the
Illinois statesman and ex-Vice Presi-
dent, it did not show in speech or
manner, and nothing of the kind could
| possibly detract from the earnestness
and ixity of purpose with which he
will enter the fight for the preserva-
ton of liberty and the Constitution.
| 1t is remarkable and pleasant spec
tacle! Charles A. Towne, when he
withdrew from the Republican party
| in 1896, because he felt that an honest
man could no longer remain in it, no.
| toriously resigned political future as
Republican, which his striking abil-
ity and remarkable accomplishments
as a public man al an. ma atetthlaiiInlAf made
1t certain would be distinguished in an
unusual degree. He realized the sacri-
nee, but did not hesitate to make it
en- the altar of his conscience. Dur
ing the four years that since have
elapsed, he has never swerved from
the path of duty he then marked out
for himself. He is one who, like the
:hieftain he does battle under, is in
capable of conceding the least modi-
cum OF principle for the sake of exped-
iency. He is of the stuff of which
grand leaders of men are made He
cannot be Vice President next year
put' happily, he is young and may
come to even higher honors hereafter
He thoroughly deserves the respect of
friend and enemy alike. He is a Che
Waller Bayard of American politics: a
type nearly extinct. He has richly
earned whatever the combined parties
OF the people can give him, in recogni-
lion OF his devotion and service, should
their cause be blessed with victory in
Observation-Disclosures Times.