New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-11-14
some Interesting Items About
Senator Morton.

SendtOf MOTION.
Miss Laura Reams letter the Cincinnati Commercial
In the opinion Of some critics, the flush of
MS recent victory gave his speech and man
ler iast night an arrogant sound, and an air
Oh seii-satlsfaction from which he has for
merry been singularly free. Much of both. if
there is any, may be attributed to the force
OF reasoning and intensity of thought he has
been obliged to put into the struggle for
mastery, and to the nervous excitement mn
der which, with his exhaustive .labors. he is
Obliged to speak. The best proof of his
greatness is that his head has never been
turned with his success. In the private re-
lations OF life he is simplicity itself. and.
while extremely guarded as to his political
opinions, or, rather, personal opinions of
matters and men, he is as approachable as n
enid. On this trip, for example, he sat
alone Tor flew miles, his pale face gloomy
with thought. In this mood his face has two
phases. The complexion dull and hard. the
eyes cold and set, and the muscles as rigid
as in death, even bis figure seems incapable
OF motion. In the other light his face is
flushed and animated with feeling that glints
over it with tho rapidity of heat lightning,
and his eyes are ablaZe and rolling as if the
machinery of thought had been set in motion.
carrying with it the large frame which is now
restless, the arms and hands gesticulating in
perfect unison. 1t is the difference precisely
OF locomotive steamed up, and when it is
under way. The impression is always of
power, whether in waiting, l will not say
repose, for there is no repose to the human
steam engines-or driving ahead with will at
a fixed purpose.
Let your readers figure to themselves the
great Radical leader from Indiana, as the
Tribune called Senator Morton, in a train of
thought so profound that it seemed to throw
him into anervous chill. He drew his heavy
cloak close around him, and shuddered, as If
with cold. Just then gentleman came up
and said the Lombard Glee Club was aboard;
would he like to hear some music? ''Yes,
indeed" he replied, and his face frightened
at the idea. Directly the club came in and
sang two or three songs magnifcently.
Everybody was charmed, and L felt had
made atrocious mention of them in former
letter until at the meeting this afternoon they
sung the "Old Brown jug" again. The ei-
feet OF the singing in the coach on Senator
Morton was. an interesting study. He was
transformed. The color came into his lips
and his eyes were glowing. He listened to
the old songs he wanted to hear, for the sake
of associations, until his heart was warmed
to melting mood. He talked no more, but
the rest of the way he hummed old airs and
snatches OF opera, sometimes keeping time to
silent strain with his left hand, his eye tax
ing in the while q view of the country we
passed through. 1t would be interesting to
know what under-current of ambitious
schemes kept time to the changing melody
and scene.
l was profane enough to intrude, and must
take back the assertion that he talked no
more and substitute he talked reluctantly.
Taking seat opposite, l remarked: On
my way up here a distinguished politician of
Indiana told me he had changed his opinion of
President Grant. That he was not the man
he thought he was.
Senator Morton, passing over the latter
sentence, observed quietly: "My opinion of
President Grant is changed from what it was
before 1 knew him well.
l.. Rim what respect?
Senator MOrton.-In every respect. The
more 1 knew him the more deeply / am inn
pressed with his great ability.
l.. R.-Then you believe him to be n great
man?
Senator Morton.-Undoubted and 1
know him to be n good man.
l.. RI know you have dwelt considera-
bly, upon his profound common sense in your
speeches, but could not tell how far zeal
for success of the Republican party has ac-
tuated your views.
Senator Morton.-I have failed to express
my strong convictions on the subject. Gen.
Grant has that clear and powerful common
sense which simplifies everything that passes
through his mind. He makes everything he
talks about so plain that one is surprised
that it was not always understood in that
way. The grand plan of Geneva arbitration
originated with him. He reasoned that when
two neighbOrs fell out they call upon few
neighbOrs that are friendly to both to settle
the difficulty, and he could not understand
why, when the nations fell out, it could not
be settled in the same way. In my opinion
he has done more towards ayerting future
wars and bloodshed, than any man that ever
lived. He has shown how arbitration can
be made substitute for war. As people,
collectively and individually, we owe more
to President Grant than to any man living.
Saying which, Senator Morton looked out
of the window, and resumed, in low tone,
the air from Mariana, of which l do not
think he had lost bar in the conversation.
He showed so clearly that he wanted to be
let alone, that 1 left him to his reflections.