The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-02-12
HOW HEPBURN
WOKE UP SENATE
Senator From Dakota Thumps Desk
With Judgment But Every
body Votes Against Him.
BY Fred scHAEFER.

WASHINGTON, Feb l2.-Oratory
when enthroned in the United States
senate, holds doubtful sway. Let
this be a warning TO the young per
son who is training himself In the
forensic are expecting some day 10
make the halls of the nation resound
with eloquence until the listening
throng with one accord is reused to
action
II doesn't happen There is some
thing wrong about the tradition that
orator ysways. The senators can lis
ten To oratory all day and remain
pulseless as SO many fish. Either ora
tor yis not comprehended as II should
he or the senate lacks red corpuscles.
For example, | sad Senator w. IL.
Hepburn. OF Idaho. arise and utterly
waste a perfectly good broadside or
eloquence. Ii was that noted speech
in which he unfurled the star spangleo
banner over the matter OF lending
federal tents TO the United Confede:-
ate veterans for their next reunion.
IL was a gem OF speech-one that
would have won a gold medal In 1861.
Rut the remainder OF the senate, cal
lous and unpatriotic. did not enthusc.
Indeed. as the proud ensign was stow
ed back into It's black oilcloth case
after Mr.. Hepburn had Haunted IT,.
there was not moist eye In the
house. Even the Ned England sena-
tors refused to become "het" up over
the rebel issue.
When the war started. as Senator
Ileyborn confessed. he was just IL
years old. He was unable TO particl-
pate in those historic festivities even
as a drummer boy. Now nearly fifty
years afterward he found a chance
to leap into the conflict CARRIED in q
white vest and a neat haircut.
II came as a surprise. this battle
cry OF freedom by Senator Hepburn
He is a handsome, impressive states
man. with seat away up in front;
also he is one OF the most impressive
tcilers In the upper legislature cham
Der. He Is always doing something
In plodding, SNOWY manner. He can
be seen at any time with documents
on his desk Nor is he like so many
OF your statesmen who place their
"hole happiness in smoking bulky
segars In the cloak rooms
However, soon after he had risen
10 his feet and begun his clarion enup-
cation, the galleries began filling with
listeners, brought by the general alarm
sent out that this day something at
last was happening In the senate. He
has a rich. melodious voice that is
a treat TO hear. His language Is able.
very. He employs correct gestures.
and thumps on his desk with judy
ment and effect He implored the
senate, notr oh. not to give recogni-
ton TO the confederacy. He appealed
especially to the patriots on his side
OF the house, whose party had saved
tho union from that period of error.
lie was vehement. but not unduly bit
ter. Things struggled within him for
utterance. but he had calmly set his
limitations He woulG not wave the
Bloody Shirt But by everything that
wa ssacred. he urged that the old feel
ing, the old rancor be not aroused
In this manner. The terrible past,
as pictured by him should not at this
late day be revived.
Amid a tense silence he sat down.
The galleries craned forward every
Leart beating. Would The senate now
be torn BY sectional strife?
II didn't even rip.
Everybody but Mr. Hepburn voted
10 let the United Confederates have
what they wanted The northern folks
voted right along with the southern
contingent. Even eagerly did they so
vote Mr. Heyburn's vote was the
solitary recognition given the throb-
bling appeal from far-off IdahA.
Thus was oratory martyred in the
United States senate.