Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1898-10-28
HEPBURN AND RU|Ck.
Why a POpuliSt Leader ESpOuSed
the Republican Cause.
Applied Republican Principles
Millions added to the Permanent Wealth of
the State by Protection.

Last Saturday was red letter day
for the republicans of Lewiston. Hon.
n. M. Ruick, of Alturas county, and
Hon. w. b. Hepburn, candidate for
congress, addressed the people here on
that occasion on the issues of the day.
The rain interfered with the more
elaborate ceremonies of welcome but
display OF fireworks preceded the gath
ering at the courthouse.
The audience was not a large one
but it was by far the most enthusiastic,
intelligent and apprt cative political
gathering that has assembled in the
city during the present campaign.
Mr.. Ruick was first to appear on the
rostrum. This campaigner was a
stranger to the Lewiston public. He
has been widely advertised az a pros
elyted populist. The fusionists per
sistently proclaim that he gives no
reason for his change Of opinion; but
on this occasion he did give very posi-
tive and logical reasons for the new
political faith that is in him.
Mr.. Ruick was a charter member of
the Idaho populist party; and was one
of its organizers in 1894. The discon-
that period of panics called the party
into existence. People were desperate
and a contagious political maria pre-
vailed IN some Instances over sober
political judgment. The people could
have no faith in the Cleveland ad-
ministration, and he, with thousands
of other earnest, honest people, were
skeptical of the potency of the estab-
ished republican tenets of protection
and sound money in the emergency
that was wheiming the country.
prosperity returned and the poDulst
party is without fuither purpose. Re
| publicanism, in spite of the populists,
brought us to the goal sought, there
fore Mr.. Ruick is no longer populist.
The object sought when he helped to
organize the party has been attained
by other meaus than that party
diyisei; but the prosperity is with us
aud the logical time for the popuist
party to disband has arrived.
These are the reasons given by the
speaker for change of political
opinion and Notwithstanding all ssser-
tons to the contrary made by the
fusion press throughout the state they
are good and sufficient reasons as
every honest man, who heard him,
must admit.
Mr.. Ruick furnished very convincing
peoof that prosperity had returned to
the whole country. This being fact
he argued that all pOpulsts should
join in upholding the principles OF re-
publicanisln. The populsts at one
time, it is true, believed the conditions
now present to be impossible without
free silver and without other pepuist
principles being enforced. They were
honest in that belief. They should be
lust as honest now and admit the error
Of iudeemeut--and Join the party that
has done SO much for humanity even
in the face of populist opposition. 1t
was an impiicabie mystery to Mr..
Ruick how any of his earnest, honest
associates who had sacrificed so much
10 bring about prosperity out of adver-
,, sitv should oppose the republican
! party principles when these same
teuets had, even in the face of opposi-
ton, rescued the country from the ruin
= into which the democrat under Gle se
, land had launched it.
Mr.. Ruick says he and his friend,
: enlisted to fight tor prosperity. The
, democratic hard times army has beer
!, yanquished, not by the populists, but
: by the republicans. He who Opposes
= the army Of prosperity is traitor tt
, populism: and not he who still fight
= for the cause that called the populis
= party into existence.
Judge Hey0urn was not strange
: to his audience. He expressed pleasure
; at meeting the peorle here and gratiti
: cation at the appreciation and enthu
, .iasm manifest on this occasion.
; Mr.. Hey burn is a recognized wheel
? horse of Idaho repu5;icanism. He l
= "A very eloquent campaign orat"r and
, profound reasoner. He is fully identi
, fled with the commercial ~ well as tn
= political interests of the state. Non
, can doubt his wide knowledge and ex
perience aud none could refute hi