The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-06-11

The old-timc Democrats declined to
be driven from their party by "A man
who during ten years of political life had
been Democrat Populist, and So
cialist. The only Office which William j.
Bryan ever held hewas elected to 10y the
Populists. it being impossible for the
Democrats to secure an election in that
district lie acted with the Democrats
in Congress but distinctly stated that
he was not bound 10y a Democratic plat
/ form.
AS a side partner Of Mr. Bryan, and
sharing with him the nomination Of the
Popnlists in 1900. is another brilliant
orator from the State Of Minnesota. /
refer to Charles 4. Towne who, like Mr.
Bryan. became famous in aday by reason
oi his oratory, and remained lannon's as
a political lightning change artist.
His autobiography, published in the
Congressional Directory Of the Fifty-tirst
! nlEIfN~t IftillN ~ iVihpN's
Charles 4. Towne, OF Duluth, was
born November u. 1858. in Oakland
county. Michigan; educated in common
schools and the University OF Michigan;
admitted to bar in 1876; removed to
Duluth in $50: took part in every cam
paign from 1876 down, but never ranfor
office until elected in the Fifty fourth
Congress as Republican. receiving Do
49, votes. against -, ,S36 for Melvin X.
Baldwin. Democrat, and 6,4l5 for kittel
Halyorsor, Populist.'
"The next issue Of the Congressional
Directory conveys the startling informa-
ton that Charles 4. Towne wasdefeated
on the Populist ticket by Hon. Page Nor
ris. The most remarkable speech that
Mr.. Town made during his term in Con-
eress was one in which he said that
while young, his record in Congress, a.
n Republican, was unimpeachable. He
had inherited it from his father and
grandfather. He had been rocked in a
Republican cradle, and had always lifted
mn his voice in behalf of the Republican
partv.' Within few weeks after thif
remarkable speech he had walked out
of the only Republican convention to
which he had ever been a delegate, and
had ioined the silver Republican party
He went home az a silver Republican
and two weeks later was nominated fol
Congress as a Populist and endorsed by
the Democrats. He was nominated a'
vice President 10y the Populists, and ther
went to Kansas City and proclaimed tC
the Democratic convention that he wa'
only masquerading as a Populist, ant
silver Republican, and az a matter OF fac
was Simon-pure Democrat. He theT
received as a Populist from the Populis
tie Governor OF Minnesota a thirty-day
appointment as United States Senator
and placed himself under the direct man
agement Of Senator's Pettigrew and But
Ter. one a Republican and the other
Populist.
: no HOPE FOR FREE SILVER.
"When a party of men nre willing t.
see their party go down in defeat thai
one issue may be maintained, they eithe
believe that this issue lies at the yer,
foundation of all government or els
they have some Interior motive. In tn
case OF the silver issue experience ha
shown that whether or not the free coin
age Of silver is beneficial and the wises
system Of finance, yet the perpetuity G
our institutions do not depend upon il
II is not an issue OF such magnitude a
to Justify the disorganization OF a polit
cal party in a vain attempt to establis
il. And yet there can be no doubt tina
the leaders of the Democratic party VIII
were responsible for forcing that issue ]
] taoO knevv when they did go. that the