The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1920-08-10

no occasion for the bugle call, ex-
cepting in widely separated national
emergencies, if it were not for the
ceaseless activities of those who hope
the seed of discomfort will ripen into
q harvest of indifference and outright K
disloyalty. The present danger is not
from foreign foe, against whom all
real citizens would offer a solid front,
but from this foe at home, insidious in
its operations. its purposes often
masked, its crimson hand otter swath-
ed in white. its hideous form often
encased in the skin of the lamb. Does
it not seem advisable, view of con-
ditions with which we are all familiar,
to keep the bugle in action as well
as the guns loaded.
I think l know something about the
value of education in the press along
lines of patriotism, community CO.
hesion and kindred subjects. Let me
give you an instance. Several years
ago when. the political parties met IN
Boise to adopt platforms it was re-
marked by members -of group of
men from both sides at hotel in the
Capitol city that there was an un-
usually restless feeling among the
delegates, which had been reflected in
both conventions in radical proposals |
and rabid discussions. | asked them
if they were familiar with the prac.
tees of certain group of trouble |
makers. They seemed surprised at
the information | gave them and won
dered why they had not discovered
the rats in the barn long before.
They agreed to a suggestion that i. |
was necessary to take steps to offse:
that movement. Various proposals
were made. 1t was natural for me to
suggest that the most direct and ef-
fective means was through the press,
both Democratic and Republican.
/ told those men / would volunteer
to write as often as found time, ar
ticles of an educative nature to deter
mine the correctness of the theory
had advanced. took the matter up
with Mr.. Calvin Cobb. publisher OF
The Statesman, a man of high ideals
as well as practical ideas. He readily
consented to my plan of a series Of
editorials IN that paper covering such
subjects as loyalty to country, state
and community, advising closer har-
mony among the people on vital Sub
jects, advocating a greater degree of
cooperation in development, etc. I
also presented the subject to several
editors and they approved the plan
and outdid its author in the splendid
articles they put before their readers.
Two years elapsed. Again the plat
form conventions met in Boise and
again about the same men gathered a.
the hotel. They had no doubt for.
gotten the incident of two years be-
fore. / asked them what the senti-
ment was at the convention and they
all expressed the keenest satisfaction
at the good feeling existing and the
absence Of wild proposals. Do not
the credit for the Idaho press.
Interested as / was. and noting tn,
effect of such publicity, kept it up
as best | could in connection with my
straight newspaper duties. Going on
the Capitol News l found Mr.. Richard
is. Sheridan, its publisher, wholly in
sympathy with my suggestions and he
gave me carte blanche to follow the
same policy editorially there | had
elsewhere on this subject and urged
me to take such time as found
necessary to cooperate with the state
press along these lines
Meantime. of course, the trouble
makers were busy. Thwarted for a
time. the redoubled their efforts, gain
ing heavy assistance through impor-
tations. There appeals were frantic;
their denunciations of everything es-
tablished, constructive and help was
bitter and unreasoning; their proposal
for producing here an Utopian exist
ence were wild and yet sufficiently
gilded to attract many. For every ar
gument for sanity there were dozens
for irrationalism; for every appeal
for conservative progressivcness and
proper correctives there were many
tor rabid overthrow; for every truth
there were hundreds OF lies. 1t was
the movement of the radicals advanc-
ed rapidly. II gained speed before the
necessity for obstacles dawned upon
the sober minded. II gained recruits
while the guards of the sanctuary
slept. But when the forces of order
and safety got into action, with the
idaho press again as the principal
weapon of defense and offense, the
agents of upheaval and destruction
were rouned after an expose that later
bereft them of many OF those they
had misled.
i That was war. Is it less necessary
to. keep the fires at least kindled at
other times.
l do not think so. 1t shall not be
my attitude in whatever capacity
may find myself. l am sure it will not
be yours.
There is on egotism intended in
these personal references, although
am proud of having had part in the
tight for good government in Idaho;
l shall continue these efforts so long
as life shall last, feeling the fullest
confidence in continued application
along that line by the loyal bunch of
Idaho men and women who conduct
Republican and Democratic news
papers in this state.
How far these editors should 90 in
this most worthy line of endeavor,
must be left finally with each publisher
but feel certain that all will be in