Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-11-09

Oliver Perry Morton was born in Wayne
county. Indiana, on the 4th Of August.
1923. His grandfather 5 namo was ThrOck-
morton, and his ancestry is traced to the
English Earl OF Throckmorton in the reign of
Queen Elizabeth. On leaving New Jersey
for the West, the Senator'S father dropped
the first syllable OF his name. Young Nor
ton spent his boyhoOd in Ohio, and entered
Miami University in ls43 where he remain
ed two years, winning the prophetic re-
in the Institution.
Leaving college at tw enty-two, he entered
upon the study of the law, and was admit
ted to practice in the tall of 1917, at
Centreville, in his native county. lie had
strong, if not learned competitors. and he
was a. strong as any of them. His leading
characteristic was force of statement-in
which respect he came nearer to Daniel
Webster than any of Webster's successors,
either in the Senate or at the bar.
In ls52, Mr.. Morton was elected Circuit
Judge, in which position he added to his
reputation. Up to this time he remained Il
member OF the Democrats party; bu; in
1854. the repeal of the Missouri CJmpro-
mise was like iirt bell in the night to one
50 sagaciOus and 50 true 10 the interests of
freedom, and he abandoned his old political
associates at once. In lSj6-the Fremont
year--when Mr.. Morton was but thirty-three
yeare OF age, he was nominated for Cover
nor by acclamatior. lie made a powerful
canvass. but was not elected In 1860. he
was nominated for Lieutenant Governor,
with tho understanding that Gen. ii. 5
Lane, who was placed at the head OF the
ticket, was to be elected TO the Senate IN the
event q; Republican succes>-which plan
was carried out.
Governor Murton's great administration.
unlike Governor Andrew ;, WAS besct with
rebel foes within ~ well as without, for the
clusenesS of the Kentucky border line and
the - kuis hts of the Golden Circle, and
the draft rioters added immensely TO the
other difficulties of his place. But he was
always equal 10 and ahead Of the emergen-
cy. When Lincoln called for less than five
thousand men from Indiana. the Governor
and in less than week alter, having al
ready filed the quota ami put It in course
Of preparation Tor the field, he began ac-
cepting and organizing troops Tor longer
service lie offered SIX thousand more on
the Goth OF April. with the assurance that
II needed they could be organized IN SIX
days. Though communication was cut OH
with Washington. and he got no answer,
he went on with his organization just the
same, and put SIX State regiments IN camp.
Governor Morton stimulated volunteering
to such degree that no CONSUMPTION sew
crely affected Indiana. Out OF 2Os 367 men
furnished by the State during the war, but
L. 300 were drafted and all calls were filled
fully and promptly. lie also established an
arsenal ior the manufacture of ammunition,
and always kcpta home guard OF 80 0OO men.
When his partisan opponents got control OF
the Legislature and refused TO supply tue |
money needed for war purposes, he raised it |
by inducing the National Government to |
enforce his views Oi his legal right to do so |
a decision which at length was universally |
acquiesced IN and made him master OF the |
situation.
In January. 1867. Gov. Morton was unan-
imousy nominated hv the Republicans OF
the Legislature for United States Senator.
No other candidate was even suggested lie
was elected and continued to hold his seat
till the time OF his death. Although his
constitution seemed to be shattered when
he entered the Senate, and he was compelled
alterwurd to take several vacations from the
public service, yet the difficulty was wholly
physical IN its character, tor iu no other ten
years oi his life had his mind been more