Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-08-22
Senator Morton.

Advices from Richmond state thas
Senator Morton is much better, anfs
that his condition is steadily improving
His Washington physician, DR.. Bliss.
is with him, and has great faith in hls
ultimate recovery.
The condition OF Senator Morton's
health for some years has been such
that intelligence of his occasional fit
Of illness has excited very serious ap-
prehensions. His original tronble wss
brought on by excessive exertien
through long and desperately, ,contesed
campaign. When the paign was
over he found himself strangely ex-
hausted. lie was not only physically
iuert, but his mind was sluggish-dld
not answer his will-and he wrote ev-
en- the few lines of a private letter witt
difficulty and reluctance. This conai-
ton of things lasted for a fortnight.
At the end of this time, be read the
morning papers, as was his habit, be-
tore getting out of bed, and. when bs
proposed to get up, found. 10 his utter
surprise that his limbs were powerless.
He sent for his physician and lawyer,
and adjusted his affairs. At first, his
hands, as well as his feet. were affected
by the peculiar paralysis, but the
numbness gradually passed away FROM
his hands; his trouble localized itself
in his ankles; and it was singular
feature of the case that bis mind at
once, when the physical difficulty de-
clared itself, became active. This was
almost as sudden as the raising of a
curtain or the rolling away of cloud
The inability of Gov. Morton to walk
or to stand for any considerable time,
owing to the weakness Of his ankles.
has prevented him from taking constant
exercise, and this has sometimes result
ed in a torpid condition Of his bowels.
With this exception, his health has
been vigorous, and his labors In the
Senate and on the stump have been gi-
gantlc. His physical disabilities seem
to have stirred his intellectual faculties
to the highest intensity. His activity
has been something surprising. Asan
example, he has just returned from his
second trip to the Pacific Coast, On
business connected with Senatorial du-
ties, since the October election. His
friends have often begged him to spare
himself: and devote the necessary time
and attention to recuperati0n, fondly
hoping that if he would do so he might
soon be on his legs once more. He
has, however, found his chief consola-
ton in his labors. His affections have
softened his personal manners and ways,
and touched with something of tender
ness his intercourse with his friends,
while he has personally winning way
even with his enemies-and few men
have more of them, or have found them
more bitter, or have been more remorse-
lessly assailed in private affairs for
public conduct The unfailing coHrte-
sy, the bland temper, the gentle consid-
eration that Morton shows his antago-
nists, would not be expected by those
who read his unfinching and implaea-
BILE utterances as public man and his
relentless perseverance in political ami
mosities The illness from which
Senator Morton is suffering was caused
by an Indigestion following an impru-
dence in diet, aud it would not have
excited so much attention if it had not
been accompanied by the paralysis of
the left arm. This is very serious
symptom, but it may pass off in few
days, as the paralytic affection Of his
hands did more than ten years ago.
We may safely say of him, as Disraeli
did of Derby He is man who, for
many years, has largely influenced the
public opinions of his country"