The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-07-14
RANTANkEKoUs HEPBURN.

RANTANkEROUS HEPBURN.
Hepburn has broken loose again. II would
seem sufficient that suffering senate endure
the swetering heat ard the obnoxious vapors of
the verbal gas daily escaping within its walls,
hut ever and anon, these patriots must writhe
under The venomous loquacity of this Eeyturh.
In a recent speech. in opposition to the
cJprecity bill, he handed the senate a choice line
of epithets, showing absolute impartiality in
his distribution OF scornful phrases among Re
publiCans and Democrats, Regulars and Insur
gents, Reaetionaries and rrogressives He
would shower his fayors upon saint and sinner
alike. only he is the sole surviving Elijah of
the nation-an the rest have bowed the knee
10 Baal Semi Democrats" Mavericks, wait
ing to be branded {" Grabs" progressing in such
fashion to render one unable to tell whether
they are going or coming, these were some of
the choice designations he flung at his COM
patriots. Iu addition, and for good measure.
he threw in few figures of speech by way of
describing their activities and predicting their
end They brought the reciprocity bill into Con-
eress wrapped in the flag of pirate; they
were being lured to the free trade trough
they would ere long be found "on the mourner s
bench.' Such a choice and varied assortment
Of epthet and eptaph hasn't been heard in the
senate, perhaps. since the prime Of Ben Timan:
and there is now but one other man il either
branch of the Congress worthy to work IN
double harness with Hepburn. He and Uncle
Joe Cannon would make most splendid team.
And yet think that Senator Hepburn was reared
in the home ef gentle, peace-loying Quakers
and Representative Cannon was born in North
Carolina.
Altogether they had good old time In thu
Senate Chamber that day and the dignided law
makers enjoyed it TO the limit.
When you come to think of it, however, sena
tor Hepburn is consistent at least. lie has al
ways been a narrow. uncompromsing Northern
or, one of the few living men either side oil
the Mason and Dixon line who continues Il
make capital Of the sectional spirit. lie has
always been n consistent and hide bound pro
tectionst not for a moment yielding his opinion
that the ends Of government subserved ii
taxing the people to the limit that the industries
and manufacturing enterprises of the land might
continue to enjoy- unabated- and unparalleled
prosperity What he revealed himself 10 be in
this speech~narrow, bitter. prejudced denun
ciatory-~he has always been. We must admir-.
his consistency.
Some Of the men who laughed at bis vehement
rage and his ludicious and loquacious extrav
agencies are conspicuous examples Of a papablt
inconsistency, the meaning of which the country
is at a loss to understand simmons of North
Carolina, Bailey Of Texas and one or two Others
who were elected az Democrats. have subscribed
to Democratic principles and platforms. and ye
are allied with Republican high protectionists
in futile attempt to block the passage OF thu
reciprocity bill. Their voices in smooth, sweet
speech upon Southern platforms remind ont
OF the voice Of Jacob; their hand in much ma
tiopai legislation is the hand OF Esau. Hey
burns prediction Of dire political disaster ma,
yet come true In the case Of men who play fas
and loose with the interests and demands o
their constituencies, and epithet and epitaph
in the light If future events, may prove quits
appropriate.