North Park union., 1900-08-10

Il would b. dimeult TO discover. In
the array Of people politically promi-
nsnt in America at this time. char
acter more worthy of respect and sd-
miration than that Of the Hon. Charles
A. Towns. OF Minnesota- True to his
faith and principles. sinsle-mindsd.
sincere and upselfsh. he stands before
the people today an exemplar Of aim
pie. sel-sacrihcing American honesty
and patriotism
No doubt NS. Towns would have
liked to be Vice President OF tho Unit
ed States. II he had used his oppor-
tunities at Kansas City a. q demA-
gogue would have utilized them. he
might perhaps have forced himself
upon the ticket with Mr.. Bryan. who
wanted him A. his running mate with
determined nature. But Mr.. Towne
had aims and purposes higher than the
gratincation Of . personal ambition.
Already the Vice Presidential candi-
date Of the Populists. he could have
been named for the same once BY tho
Silver Republicans at their Kansas
City Convention. Thus REINFORCED.
his claims upon the Democratic Ma
tional Convention. considering the cir
cumstances 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
year. or to bring any element
~ he aT
popular army which has been mobl-
lised to night for the people and insti-
tutions against the trust and monop-
oily forces who would subvert them. he
refused to let his name 60 before the
Silver Republican Convention. and has
now announced his intention to de-
cline the Populist nomination when
he shall be formally notified that 1t
has been given to him.
Without a shadow of regret or sore
ness in his attitude. Mr.. Towne ap-
pearcd n one of the distinguished re-
ceivinE 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.
II he concealed 4 wish that he might
have been the nominee instead of the
Illinois statesman and ex-Vice Presi-
dent. II did not show In speech or
manner. and nothing OF the kind could
possibly detract from the earnestness
and nxity of purpose with which he
will enter the night for the preserva-
tion Of liberty and the Constitution.
II IL remarkable and pleasant spec
tacle! Charles A. Towne. when he
withdrew from the Republican party
In 1895. because he felt that an honest
man could no longer remain In It, no.
toriously reaigned q political future a.
Republican, which his striking abil-
Ity and remarkable accomplishment
a. . public man and = thinker made
II certain would be distinguished In an
unusual degree. He realized the sacr,-
dee. but did not hesitate to make 1t
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 ont
for himself. He is one who, like the
chieftain he does battle under, Is i,-
capable Of conceding the least modi-
cum Of principle for the sake of sxped-
iency. He 10 OF the stun OF which
grand leaders OF men are made. He
cannot be Vice President mex. year,
but. happily. he IL young and may
come to even higher honors hereafter.
He thoroughly deserves the respect of
friend and enemy alike. He is 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 recosni-
tlon OF his devotion and service, should
their cause be blessed With victory in
Observation-Disclosures Times.