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


closed all the secrets of the Order. The Court finally
found all four of them guilty as charged and sen
fenced three of them to death and one TO imprison
mcnt. The death sentence was approved and the day
fixed for their execution whcn upon the earnest
representations Of Gov. Morton and other prominent
loyal men. the President committed their sentences
to confinement in the Ohio Penltcntiary.
ON THE STUMP.
Gov. Morton was rcnominatcd in 1864, his oppo-
nent being Joseph +. Mcdonald. the present oen'-
tor A Joint canvass of the State was arranged anu
the debate opened ut Laportc in the presence oi
90 600 snrctators Mr.. Mcdonald had been nomih-
ated because IL was thought he could cope with MI
Morton on the stump but the result proved how IL
founded this expectation was. Gov. Morton had 'he
opening. His speech was a powerful arralgnment OF
the Democratic party and defence of bis own admin
istration. The speech overwhelmed Air. McDOhaiu'
and it's effect upon the audience dsheartened hlni-
His reply was failure and the debate resulted IN Il
great triumph for Gov. Morton.
At every subsequent appointment the Lapor'c
experience was repeated Gov. Morton was re-
elected by 2O.ss3 majority, and the Republicans
gained a majority in the Legislature lie
entered upon his second term with undated zeal ana
arlor He was in his forty-second year, and III the
prime OF physical and mental strength. Inc vast
responsibilities and abors Of the last five years had
developed his character to its fullest proportions
His energy, patriotism, executive AFFINITY ana loi
tlty of resources were theme of general comment.
His services to the State hOnored everywhere.
IN the Fall of SG5 in consequence Of his great labors
and the continued strain upon his energies hs
health became impaired to such degree as TO re-
quire n cessation from work. His physicians pre-
scrlbed rest and travel and in November, 1865, he
He abroad about
months. when he returned and resumed his duties as
Governor After his return he delivered in Indian
apolis q most scathing ard powerful arraignmcnt OF
the Democratic party. Nearly three million copies
Of The speech were circulated throughout the conn
try. During the canvass he spoke with tremendous
power. and sweeping Republican victory carried
him into the United States Senate.
HIS FIRST SPEECH N TIE SENATE.
After the delivery Of his first speech in the Senate,
Mr. Morton was recognized as the leader OF the Re
publican party. 1t was January, 1868, ana the
subject under debate was Rcconstruction lie had
not intended 10 speak at that time, but Senator
Doolitilc had made 50 bitter an attack upon the
Congressional policy Of Reconstruction that tho
blood of the "War Governor" was stirred. II was a
burst of wrath, eioqucnce ard logic Eevcrly john
son exclaimed at the close that il recalled the days
of Webster. Clay and Calhoun. Thaddcus Stevens
declared that il was the first successful attempt 10
defend the Reconstruction policy OF Congress Gen.
Grant en- husiastic for once, whispered to Rawlns,
"That settles it. That one speech insuTes Repnb-
hcau victory next FAIL Over 100000 copies OF
this mastery speech were circulated North and
South. Mr.. Morton became power in American
politics.
TIE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT.
Mr.. Mortous determination was strikingly Illus
oftl
Amendment. After au all-night session. the report
OF ihc Committee Of Conference, recommending the
passage Of the Amendment, was agreed to between
six and seven o'clock in the morning At six o'clock
Mr.. Sumner had withdrawn from the Senate Cham
bcr refusing even to be present when The vote was
taken. lie maintained that il was a useless work.
as enough States could nos be induced 70 Iatify IT,
MFR. Morton had replied: Let Congress do Its duty
and rely upon the States t. do theiro.'
TIE LEGISLATURE of Indiana was then in session.
with Republican majority IL each branch, but with
out y Republican quorum in the House. To prevent
the ratification of the Amendment the Democratic
members resigned their seats in that body, thus
breaking the quorum. Gov. Baker immediately
ordered new elections in the counties FROM which
these members had resigned and in April, 1850,
convukrd the Legislature in extra session. Al tie
end Of the session the Republicans determined 10
raIfy the Amendment and the Democratic members
OF the House again les gned for the purpose OF break
ing NJ the quorum. senator Morton returned from
Washington on the very morning the designations
were handed in, and learning what had been
done, he Immediately sent word to the Republican
members not to adjourn, but 10 meet him in consult
alton that night at the Supreme Court room. He
addressed them at length, taking the ground that The
quorum was not broken by .hc resignation Of more
than ouc-tluri OF the members OF the House. His
argument was accepted rs conclusive by every MEM
Der present and the next morning both Houses rati-
fed the Amendment.
SCENTS Is TIE SENATE.
in the session Of 1870 5lr. Norton saved the Nd
mini>tIa,ion from utter rOut. The ratification Of
the Santo Domingo treaty had been defeated, not
withs;andng the President had earnestly favored
~ i'm = special message Public opinion and clear
majority in the Senate were decidedly opposed TO IT.
Mr.. sumner had made charges involving the Pres-
dents integrity, and Mr. Trumbul and Nh
Schnrz were hardly less severe. II was n
most trying position for the Admnstra-
ton. and to cxtricate il was the work assigned
TO Senator Morton. For This purpose he introduced
a resolution providing for the appointment Of a
Commission TO make an Investigation respecting
Santo Domingo. After passing the senate, the meas
ura seemed likely to be beaten in the House, and in
thc excitement hat followed, Mr. Morton was hur-
richly sent FOR. The father of the resolution was
carried TO Tie House by four stalwart Africans,
where his appearance treasured the dcmorazcd
Dom,nicaus III President Grant himself had ap-
pcarcd. II could not have produced a moro marked
frct He became The prryading spirit Of the whole
BODY NOT by any undue influence, but simply by the
ascondaucy Of und over mind
In Acknowledgement Of this service. President
Grant rendered Senator Morton he post OF Mirister
10 he Court of 81. james, but rs the Legislature
# Indiana would return Democrat TO the Senate ia