The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1877-11-08
DEATH OF SENATOR MORTON.

There are but few men in the Nation
whose death would cause more sincere
| regret than that of Senator Morton, OF
Indiana. His name is familiar in every
household in the country, and his I'M
mense ability is universally acknowl-
edged by men of all parties. The tele-
graph announces that this great statesman
| died at Indianapolis, at :35 o'clockP. Nj.
Nov. L, 1877. While his death has been
expected, or at least probable, for some
weeks, the country is lily prepared for the
important event. A hope had fingered,
almost against hope, it is true, that the
life of the distinguished Senator might
yet be spared for still greater service to
the country he loved SO well. But the
Supreme Ruler has ordered otherwise;
and his labors an earth are closed. A
brief history of the career of this man,
whose acts have been so prominent for
the past twenty years, IS proper III this
place.
! Oliver p. Morton was q native of In
diana. He was born in Wayne county,
| in that State, August 4, 1928. His par
ents died when he was quite young, and
| he was placed under the care of a grand
mother and two aunts in Ohio. He is
described when young as ''a timid and
rather verdant looking youth, too shy to
bear with head erect, masters look.
! He was for time in the Miami Unlyer-
| sity, at Oxford, Ohio; was a student who
| displayed much talent and great prof
| cheney in his studies. He did not gadu-
ate, but commenced the study of law
with the late John FL. Newman, of Rich
| mond, Indiana, and was admitted to the
bar in 1916. As lawyer, he soon took
rank among the first men in the State:
T,, h. oil I'D 1r,1 ~ l,o
Circuit Court. Originally he was a
was passed, and the Missouri comprom-
Free Soil Democrat, and on the forma-
ton of the Republican party, he united
cordially with that organization.
In 1856, he was the Republican nomi-
nee for Governor of Indiana, and made
an able and thorough canvass of the
State, with his Democratic opponent,
the late Hon. A. P. Willard, but was
defeated by about 5000 majority. In
1860, he was nominated by the Kepub-
hcans as a candidate for Lieut.. Govern
or, with Hon. FL. S. Lane at the head of
the ticket. This strong combination
carried the State. He occupied the po-
sition of Lieut.. Governor but two days,
when Gov. Lane was elected United
States Senator, and Mr.. Morton became
Governor of Indiana. The trying times
that followed, are well known to the
country. The war for destruction of
the Union was inaugurated soon after
Mr.. Morton became Governor. He was
equal to the task imposed upon him.
No Executive in the country achieved
more conspicuous Or brighter record as
a war Governor than did the subject of
this sketch. He was able, energetic,
patriotic and determined III his action
IN favor of the Union cause, and kept
Indiana among the patriotic States,
while the South had hoped she would
sacede and join the Southern Confeder-
acy. The action of Gov. Morton was so
able and SO prompt and efficient, that he
at once became q national man, and his
influence in Washington was second to
that Of no other executive in the country.
His councils were often solicited by
President Lincoln and his Cabinet. But
we can not dwell on the war history of
tliis noble and patriotic man in this
place. To do 1t justice would require q
large volume.
In 1864 Mr.. Morton was reelected |
Governor by a majority of %, 900 and |
continued to serve in that position till |
1867, when he resigned the office to as
sumo the duties of United States Sena- |
tor, to which Office he had been chosen. |
He took his seat in the Senate March 4, |
1867, which he continued to hold till |
death relieved him from earthly care.
For many years he has been great suf-
ferer from disease, having, in 1866, been
with partial paralysis; still he
has persisted in the fulifillment of his |
duties, and has most ably performed the
labor of a Statesmen and O Senator
His speeches have been among the
ablest delivered in that body; they have
been heard by crowded galleries and at
tentIve Senators, and have fallen with
marked effect upon the country.
Though often necessiated to speak in
sitting posture, he retained the com
handing presence and the impressive
delivery, essential to the highest sue
cess IN oratory. Unsurpassed in execu-
tive ability in another field of opera
tions, Senator Morton has shown him
self the peer of the greatest statesmen
in Legislativet talent.
Thus, we have given a brief, but very
imperfect, sketch of this great and no
BILE man. Only "a years of age, but his
labors will live after him, and stimulate
the youth of the country to noble deeds.
ills Lio WAS jill ILLUSTRATION OF what q |
young man in this country may become
by his own efforts. It is the work of In
dustry, of perseverance, of making the
best use of his time. Such a life never
results from Incidence or good luck
1t rather springs from hard and constant
efforts.
1t will be long time before the place
OF Senator Morton will, in all respects,
be filled in the Senate. The clearness
of his mind, his quick comprehensive
ness of a question in all its bearings, and
his will power were remarkable. He
has been bitterly assailed by his politi-
cal opponents, but he has been able to
withstand all the assaults, and meet
them with almost unrivalled power. Now
that he has gone to his reward, Justice
will be done to his talents and to his true
patriotism and craftsmanship. His
death is surely national loss; and one
which the people of the country will
deeply mourn.