The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-11-02
ORITU UARV.


oliver Perry Morton was born in Wayne
County, Indiana, August A. 1923, and was con-
! sequently at the time Of his death in his fifty
fifth year. He came Of an old English family
his grandfather, who traced his ancestry back
quite distance along an honorable line, hay.
ing emlgrated from England about century
ago and settled in New Jersey. His father
WIN. I. Morton. was a native Of New JERSEY
and man of sterling worth. His mother
also native of New Jersey. was woman Of
amiable disposition and rare force of char.
acter. Removing to the West at an early day
they soon became Identified with one Of the
| rising communities of the young State Of In
diana, of which their son was to become so dis
| tlnguished and honored a citizen.
Young Morton's carly years were passed
amid narrow opportunities, but as often hap
pens In such cases, thev were more highly
priced ana assduously improved on that ac-
count. Apprenticed to halter at the age of
fifteen, he followed the business for four years
and seemed likely to devote his life to that
trade; but Providence had not so decreed,
During this period all his spare hours were
spe In reading, and the information thus ac-
quired begettlnG thirst for more knoWledge.
he quit his trade, and in January, 1s48. at the
age OF nineteen, entered Miami University at
Oxford, Ohio. Here he remained two years,
his vigorous and healthy mind eagerly grasp
ing and appropriating Ill the means Of knowl.
edge placed within his reach.
One Of his teachers says he was "a dilipent.
earnest STUDENT modest but not timid. plain
mt nntr ryop,Ja mt of,1
knowledge than to display it," He also had
the reputation of being the best extcmpora
neous speaker and dehater iu the college-a
talent which doubtless shaped his career in
lie, and accounts, in large degree, for his
great success and power as public man. At
the age of twenty-five he left college, read law
with Hon. john S. Newman, at IenteryilIe
Indiana, was admitted to the bar in l817 and
soon enjoyed lucrative practice, In 1852, at
the age OF wenty-nlne, he was elected Circuit
Judge, but resigned. the position within wear.
preferring the bar to the bench.
Mr.. Morton was a Democrat in politics till
tne repeal Ot the Missouri Compromise in 1854.
La 1855 he was one Of the three delegates sent
from Indiana to he PIttsburg Convention,
which organized the Republican party. The
same year he was nominated by the young Re-
publican party for Governor of Indiana but
was beaten by Gov. Willard. In 1860 he was
nominated for Lieutei ant Governor. with Hon
Henry 5. Lane as Governor, and the whole
Republican ticket was elected by about 10. 900
majority Immediately after the assembling
of the Legisl ature Mr.. Lane was electe / n q
Senator, and Mr.. Morton became Governor
From the day of his Inauguration Gov. Morton
gave evidence OF possessing extraordinary ex-
{, e,utiye ability.
Hitherto he had been known as an able law
yer, a powerful debater, and an eloquent
champion Of Republican principles. During
the next few years he was destined to develop
most surprising ability as an executive officer
lie threw himself with tremendous energy
into the work OF prosecuting the war, and
steadily and rapidly rose to the height Of the
great occasion. On the 24th Of April the State
Legislature met, III obedience to the Govern
ors call few days previous. In his message
to that body, after reviewing the history OF the
movement, he said:
"We have paSs.d from the field of argument
to the solemn fact OF war which exists by the
act OF the seeding States. The issue is forced !
upon us ana must be accepted. Every man
must take his position on one side or on the |
other. In time Of war there is no ground upon |
which n thru party can stand. 1t is the mpera- |
tive duty Of all men to rally to the support of |
the Government, and to oxpend In its behalf, if |
need be, their fortunes and their blood. Upon
the preservation Of this Government depend |
our prosperity and greatness as a nation, our |
liberty and happiness as individuals"
In 1854 he was un !nimously nominated for I
re- election, aud was elected over Hon. Joseph |
Z. Mcdonald, his late colleague In the United |
States Senate, by over 10000 majority.
shortly after Gne meeting Of no General AS |
sembly in January, 1857, Governor Morton was
elected Un ted States senator, no other Repub-
ican candidate being even su gested, and he
receiving every Republican vote. He was re-
elected in 1879 In Octob /, 1870, Presideut
Grant rendered him the English Mission, which
le declined.
His candidacy for the Republican nomina-
ion for President Of the United states, and mis-
more recent public acts, together with his long
Illness which has been watched with great
anxiety by the whole people of the country,
ire too fresh in the minds OF the people to need
'eiteration here. He was man Of great abili-
", and, especially In view Of the warm stand ne
ook IN favor of the policy OF President Hayes,
he country can Ill afford to lose him at this
Ime.