The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1912-10-25
WELDON B. HEPBURN.


ly and profoundly affect the people
of the State of Idaho as did that OF
our senior senator, Weldon B. Hey
burn.
OF Quaker stock, his rugged hon
esty, his answering fidelity, his deep
made him man to be
respected; his simple unassuming
manner and his whole-souled loyalty
to friendship, a man to be loved.
Senator Hepburn stood one of the
biggest personalities in the Senate.
On the really important problems
coming before the people he brought
to bear profundity of knowledge and
a fine love of the Constitutional bull
wark upon which rests the prosperity
of Our great country. He was gifted
as are few men with depth of insight,
a comprehensive view. that saw past
the foothills the mountain peaks be-
yond. More than once have the peo-
pie of this state thought his attitude
wrong on questions of grave import.
Later days have proven him right. 1t
has been so with all patriots, men who
held love of country above all save
God. Had he done no other thing, the
Pure Food Law would stand as q
monument to the memory of 1daho's
greatest statesman.
While the very shadow of the hand
of death was upon him, Senator Hey
burn forgot himself and fastened to
answer the call for help sent from the
people of Caldwell. He obtained
from the Interstate Commerce Com
mission a feeding in transit rate on
cattle that means salvation to many q
despairing homesteader in this neigh
borhood. This was only an incident
in life of unselish devotion to the
people of his beloved state. but it
brings home to the people of Canyon
county the ideal of statesman ever
ready to sacrifice self for the good of
the people.
Senator Hepburn was uncompromis-
ing in his convictions. 1t was never
difficult to find where he stood on any
question. He was ever open and
above board and would not for a
moment bubble or trim, no matter
what the provocation. His last letter
should stand as a singing rebuke to
some of our foremost citizens whom,
in the delirium of their success, have
thought themselves greater than a
principle.
II have felt tempted to write an
open letter but it was so difficult.
Some of our friends are in such am
biguous positions that it might seem
like an effort to strike blow at
long distance and l do not desire
to be charged with that. If I wrote
or if l came out I should talk very
plainly on the situation.
II have no sympathy with men
abandoning their party and the party
that put them into Office merely be-
cause OF the passing maudlin senti-
ment of the hour.
Men should belong to political
organization openly and above
board. Political parties are political
armies, representing political prin.
ciples. and if man does not belong
to either of them he should be put
between the lines and shot at.
"No man is as big as the majority
of his party, l do not regard the
Roosevelt party as legitimate or
ganization at all. regard it as ;
purely personal. selfish organization
entitled to no respect or considers
ton at the hands of any man.
"No man who really thinks car
have any respect for Roosevelt
either personally or politically. fee
quite a satisfaction in my belle
that he will be so completely beatel
in the election as to put an end t.
him. l have much more respect TO
Debs (for whom have none) tina,
have for Roosevelt.
1T will break my heart to los
my vote. but as it appears now j
will be a physical impossibility 70
me to come to Idaho to vote.
II cannot write very long letter
yet, but / wanted you, and m.
friends through you. to know hov
l feel in regard to these questions.
Few states. young or old. coul
boast of two such representatives a
Senators Hepburn and Borah. If tn
younger man has made mistakes the
may we'll be lost sight of in the gior
of his achievements.
The state mourns the loss of he
greatest son; the nation, leader. il
the foremost rank of statesmen. TIL
mantle of the man that has gone vii
soon fall uDon other shoulders. TIL