Debs never deviated from what he thought was right although his ideas about what was “right” changed with time. Always intense and tenacious. When he and others refused to honor President Cleveland’s orders to break the boycott of the Pullman Palace Company and were sent to the Cook County Jail, Debs said “Having only acted in this matter in obedience to the dictates of our conscience and our judgment, we shall accept with philosophic composure any penalties, however severe, the courts may see fit to impose.”