The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1877-11-09

pied place in the hearts of his
countrymen obtained but by few
men 10 Ibis or any other country.
His cal eer was an eventfnl one. For
twenty years his name has been con-
stantIy and prominently before the
country, and in all his public life |
he made as few mistakes as any man
ever did who occupied the stations
he did. He was 8 leader, and stood
in the front rank of great Ameri-
cans. Few men have so promi-
nently and creditably stamped their
acts on the history of the country.
His words and deeds are q promi-
nent feature of American politics
for the last twenty years. Some
were greater in scholarship, but
none greater in good deeds. Few,
even OF those who were his oppo-
nents, can view, unmoved, the ter
minaiion Of life full of go many
great labOrs, go much energy, so
distinguished career of service
both to his state and the nation.
Oliver P. Morton, was a native of
Indiana. He was born on the 4th
OF August, 1928, and was cOnse-
quently little over fifty-four years
of age. He was descended from an
old English family that emigrated
to America about the time of the
opening of the revolutionary war.
His parents were poor, and in his
youth he learned the hatter's trade.
At the age of nineteen he entered
Miami university, at Oxford, Ohio.
He boarded himself while there,
and at the end of two years was
compelled to leave the university
without graduating. He returned
to his home at Centerville, and be-
gan the study of the law, in 1845.
He was admitted to the bar in 1S47.
His career was not brilliant at col
lege. Neither was it in the study
of law, but he pushed ahead ener-
getically, and built on q slow but
sure foundation. In 1852 he was Sc
lected judge of the Wayne circuit
court to fill q vacancy. AS 3 judge
he was strong and clear, and he u.s.
cd every position and opportunity
in this early day to prepare him.
self for future usefulness.
When the struggle came on Doug
las proposition to repeal the Mis-
souri, Compromise, and give sla-
very q chance in the territories,
Morton was thrown into active po-
litical life and remained there until
his death. He at once leaped into
prominence. Though anti-slavery
men of greater age and more dis
tinction were his neighbors in the
Burnt District" noted for "aboli-
ton" tendencies, he was from the
outset accepted as the representa-
tive man. He was active in the
movement that combined the Free
Soil, Temperance and Native Amer
lean sentiments into the "Peoples'
Party" of 1854. It gained q victo-
~, but it's incongruous elements
could not be kept together, and be-
yond opening the way for the Re-
publican party two years later, it
did pretty much nothing. Mr..
Morton was made 3 delegate to the
Pittsburg convention of the 22d OF
February, 1856. and there helped to
form aud put in motion the great
Republican party which owes 80
much to him and to which the
country owes it's safety from de-
struction. In 1856 the new Repnb-
lican party nominated him by &C.
clamation for Governor of Indiana.
He was only thirty-two years old.
Without wealth or family influ ence
he made the canvass. He won dis
tinction as q political debater. He
more than fulfilled the expectations
Of those who put him at the hea d
of the frat Republican ticket in
Indiana. After the campaign he
resumed the practice of his profess
sion, and won new distinction
therein. In 1860 he was nominated
for Lieutenant Governor. The late
Henry S. Lane was the nominee
for Governor, and it was the I'M
Outstanding that if the party were
successful Mr.. Lane should 60 to
the Senate, and Mr.. Morton would
become Governor. This program
me was carried out. Oliver P.
Morton became Governor OF the
State Of Indiana iust In time to
take an active part in the great strug-
gle for the preservation of the gov
eminent. Without military expe-
rience he became the most efficient
organizer of troops, and made for
himself q worldwide fame as the
"War Governor. His was the duty
to govern the most difficult State to
manage, just at that time, in the
Union. He grappled with the diff
acult task and conquered every OPP
position that arose. There is no
doubt but that his skill, vigilance,
determination and loyalty more
than once kept the rebels of Iudi-
ana-and they were the mesnest
ones in the couutry--from open re-
volt. They plotted tresaon in their
secret conclAves, but Morton prov
ed master of the situation on all
occasions. He was reelected Gov
ernor in 1864. In 1865 he was pros
trated with paralysis, and visited
Europe. In 1867 be took his sea,
in the United States Senate, having
received the unanimous support OF
his party. Here he remained till
death relieved him.
Last year he was . prominent
, oau 1;Iaka 70. Daaa;1ant hoco.~ A. .