New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-11-02

name was discarded IN burst of American ardor
but If onl the shadow of the ancient name re-
manned, the sturdy traits of long line OF Enghsh
ancestors were transmitted TO the son. IL was
splendid heritage: an unyielding resolution that
could neither he crushed thrust aside; resist
less will that commanded success; fighting qualities
for the stump and Senate which made him one OF
the masters of Amer lean politics.
EDUCATION.
The father was a knd-hcarted man, earnest,
industrious, Of sound Judgment and with a
vell-balanced mind. The mother was
large. robust woman. with remarkable
memory and fine conversational powers The
ron was born in Wayne County, Ind, on Au-
gust l. 1923 and after the death of his mother.
which occurred in his fourth year, was placed I'M
der the care Of her parents and sisters who lived near
Sprngdalc, Ohio. His opportunities were narrow.
He picked up the rudimcnts Of spelling, arithmetic,
geography and grammar in district school
during the short Winter sessions. and filed
his spare hours with ll-drcctcd hut jealous study.
At the age OF fifteen he was apprentced 10 the hat
tors trade and worked with his brother for four
wears. Ills fondncSs FOR reading encouraged lns
friends to send him TO a seminary IN Wayne Comfy
Ind. Gen. Lew. Wallace who was then ms schooi-
mate. remembered him timid. shy and rather
ve4dant-looking lad. lie oyercamc his timditv be-
fore he entered Miami University at Oxford, ONO.
Here ne had the reputation Of being the smoothea'
and most vigorous dcbater in college. He bore of
prize In clocuton ald was known in the classroom
rs a clear thinker and ready talkcr. He did not
finish the college course, but at The age Of twenty
two began the study OF law in CentrcNile, Ind.
His education had lifted him above tho level OF tho
trade 10 which ho had been apprcutccd Ii had
given him a chance in the world, and ne was the
man Of all others TO make the most of chance.
At TnE BAR.
The young student read law with all has might
under the tuition Of John = Newman. lie worked
day and night reading slowly and mastering every
inch of the ground over which he passed. His per
ccpiion was quick, almost mtutiye; his patience
was tireless his memory had an iron grip Ia tile
Fall of 1917 he was admitted 10 practice in that
dull county Gown where dozen lawyers had al
ready won regulations The outlook was not cnconr-
aging but hc not the man 10 draw back lie StTug-
Cled hard almost starved m the outset whlstiod
first for his clients aud then for his fees and finally
built up large and lucrative practice. Atuiing M
cidcnt of these early years illustrates the earcstnes
of the man. The successful defence of civil acton
depended upon bis bringing forward single author
itv IN one of The state Reports In the of his
reading be had noticed it, but when the point was
needed hc could not find a.. Two days were spent m
the most earnest search and Che was sc' for the
next morning. At midnight il hal not bccn found,
and Le retired exhausted and disappointed But
while asleep he dreamed that the citation was in TIE
Massachusetts Reports. The volume and number OF
the page appeared, and even the opening sentence
stood out before him. lie aw0ke with delight, and
although 10 was two o'ooc, in the morning. lac hur-
riedly dressed and walked to his office, whore he
found Che decision Just % had been presented III
the dream. Before noon hc had Won his case.
II was ams,tcrly defence OF nun lcrer, however
that established his reputation ana advocate on
T. .I. II... rt d. a.
County for nfauucide The body of a child had
been found iu Lebanon horribly mang.cd, and sus-
pcion was 900 once directed against the parents.
The mother died n jail ot a broken heart. and hoth
the evidence in the casc and the se1tncn, OF the
community were against the father Standing al
most u h. shadow OF thc llows, be- sent Tor Young
Morton. dcucd his guilt and attempted 10 cx-
plain aUay the evidence. lis manner was so
omhqrra. ed and his story so incohcrent.
that DIS lawyer despaired of his chances with the
Jury, A. examining the case hc discovered That his
client had once endcayorcd 10 place the child under
the car, of some Shakers living close by. and that
they had refused 10 take o.. believing the father TO
be insane The ground o. defence was 40 once
shifted. Insanity was the new plea. After the evil
dence Wa. closed hs spoke for four hours. lis app
peal clrctufcd jny-boX ami c.surt-Ioou. The jury
men under che pressure o. bis logic and cloquence,
in,olgutnuiy nodded a. sent. llle only two voted
for slaughter. After TINS splendid achc' emcnt
be bah all tine l4w business he wanted
In Isl2 40 tine age # twenty-five. Nh Morton
was elected Circuit Judge. but ho remained on the
bench only one year. he loved thc excitement OF
legal combat aud active service al the bar. and he
gladly retained o. his OH p'a'e. During ,ne next
seven l,4r. he devoted himself asaidu0J-ly To- his
profession. ana came TO Dee recognized one of the
kcaucst aud suuudcst advocate M the state. He
seemed 90 know when he bad succeeded i'm oouyinc-
inc jury n one hours tlkug did 10, be took his
scat: II they were still 60. odds with hiu. ice
soned wiih them hour after hour until they
dored llc seldom lost q case. The force of lis
character was compressed n Lis argument, ana his
will was master in The end
rioSrEE RfpyBICAN.
Mir Mortons first vote was cast for james i. Polk
md bis first office was the -lf, OF the Democratic
PARTY Til. repeal of The Missouri COMPROMISE be-
trarcd the dangerous tendencies Of the Organization
aud bee was among the irt 90 cut loose from % and
e. dcuouuce the aggrcssions of the slave power.
lie was one Of the earliest advocates of
a new organization. and m 1896 attended
tho Plusburg Convention. where thc Republican
party spiaug into life. Four months af.erwaid
he was at Philadelphia when Gen. Fremont
WIS nomiratci for President. and early iu the Au-
tnrin he was nominated Tor Governor by the pon-
esr. or the new movement in Indiana lis opponent
vasA.P willard. au able man aad br liant speaker.
who had "a compact and powerful political oIgani-
zation behind h.m while Dee hu.cif appeared a- the
champion of band Of enthusiasts who wote Strong
alone in Che conseious1css That their cause was
righteous one. From that campaign, unsucccs-i u ~
II was. dates ST.. Morton. popularity with tie he
publican and his powerful hod OH thc party.