The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1910-01-14

children who today compose the splen-
did citizenship of the grand, young
commonwealth of Idaho.
In 1889 President Harrison appoint
ed Colonel Shoup governor of his
adopted territory and upon the admis-
sion of Idaho into the Union oil States
in 1890, he was elected by the people
to the same position. In December of
h7t yclr h was chosen to represent
Idaho in the National Senate, and in
1898 wls reelected to the same posi-
ton, which he continued to fill with
honor credit and fidelity until fusion
If the opposition political forces of the
tate resulted in the election of a sue
cessor of a different party faith.
Thus he lived for GO years without
\ personal enemy on earth, and thus
he died, his heart o'er-howing with
oelce, contentment and good-fellow-
ship to the end. His personal popu-
arity with every class in Idaho was
q unusual as to often call forth re-
mark and wonderment. In the many
political contests in which he took
part he was never once defeated by
he direct vote of the people, and l
navo always thought l knew one of
he elements of his political strength.
Tradition has it, although history
nav be silent, that at the final fall
If the Confederacy, the left wing of
Prices valiant army never surren-
dered-that indeed, it was moved to
northern Idaho. And l have always
suspicioned that in the heat of the
many political contests which in the
past years have redeemed the skies
of that fair state, when opposing
candidates were abusing each other
from the hustings. each alleging the
other to be a horse thief and almost
| proving it too. Colonel Shoup would
quietly wend his way to the northern
| Panhandle. where on the glorious sun
lit slopes of Camas Prairie the politi-
cal freedom of South Idaho meets
| and blends with the political tolerance
If tho Occur d'Alenes, and hunt up
the survivors of Prices old army I;
sit down on the shady side of a hos
pitablo hay stack, talk over their
troubles together, possibly lake a
drink out of the same canteen and in
due time part with the warm hand
clasp of peace and amnity, both i'm
pressed with the time honored fact
that a brave and fearless enemy,
| fighting for a principle founded in
good conscience, usually makes, when
the same is definitely settled, the
most trustworthy and reliable friend
after which the gallant old Sena-
tor would quietly return to Salmon
City, filled with that feeling of politi-
cal confidence and security that
"passeth all understanding" just in
time to count the victorious votes as
the election returns came in.
Mr.. Speaker, do not know of any
fixed and definite rule for measuring
human greatness. Each day, age and
generation is law unto itself. But
it is safe to say that he who has
acted well his part in life, however
humble or exhalted, has performed
in full measure his duty to himself
his country and his God. And therein
all horror lies. George L. Shoup was
neither actor nor statesman. He was
a soldier and a pioneer. He had nc
elouuence with which to charm the
multitude, but with love and devo-
ton second to none, he did valiant
service for his country in its time OF
| direct need. He conceived no great
nor lasting policy of government
but. he stood prominent among the
oathfinders and builders of an empire
in the Rocky Mountain West.
| know not how others may feel
but as for myself, l would rather
participate in laying the foundation
of two great states of the American
Unon-aid in placing in the azure
blue of my country's flag two fixeC
and permanent stars-than to ranl
in persuasive power and eloquenc,
with all of the worlds orators past
pre- sent and TO come. would rather
have stood watch and guard on tn,
outposts of civilization while the in
dustry and courage of my countrymeI
transformed the Incidence and silenc,
of tho Great American Desert int,
countless thrifty fields and happ.
homes would rather be the recipien
of the heartfelt gratitude and gentl
blessing of one pioneer mother who's
child had restored from savage tor
ture-than to be king, or prince o
potcntato that ever sat throne. An,
George l.. Shoup in one short life
time did all of this and more.