Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-11-03
OIL YER l.. Morton.

ahout FIVE O'Clock. He died peacefully,
in The midst of the tears OF a loving
family and cherished friends. The ma
tion mourns his loss, for his was a life
nobly spent in her service. His last work
was his Journey to Oregon as chairman
of the investigating committee in the Gro
yer case He was taken sick on the
shores of the Pacific. and from that attack
he never recovered all was done for him
that the skill OF man could do but the hand
of death was upon him and could not he
shaken off He fingered weeks after his
return home, and there were occasional
CLEANS of hope that he might recover,
but the public is not disappointed at the re-
suit.
Senator Morton was born in Wayne
county, Indiana, August 4, 1928, to which
State his parents had removed from New
JERSEY. His opportunities for education
were limited when a boy, but such as he
had he improved. At fifteen he was ap
prenticed to halter, in whose service he
remained four years. Not long after the
close of his apprenticeship, in the year
1s4S. he entered Miami University, where
he remained a student three years,
when he left college and began the study
OF the law with Hon. John 5. Newman
of Centreyille. In 1917 he was admitted
to the bar and at once distinguished him.
self as an advocate and counsellor. In
1852 be was elected curcuit Judge of the
fifth judicial circuit OF Indiana, but after
a while he resigned his place upon the
bench and returned to the bar, the latter
place suiting him better than the former.
Like great many young lawyers he
took an active interest in politics soon
after he was admitted to the bar. At
first he acted with the democratic party,
but in 1854. when the republican party
was forming he enlisted in its ranks and
became one of its sturdiest defenders.
He was delegate to the first national
republican convention in 1856. in which
he was an active member, and made
many friends. Returning home, he was
nominated the republican candidate for
governor by reclamation, and stumped
the State with great power. succeeding in
reducing the previous large democratic
majority essentially, but not enough TO Sc
cure the election. lie was then thirty
three years old. X stunning to his office
and his cases, he continued four years
longer at professional work, aud in 1860
was nominated for lieutenant governor on
the ticket with the Hon. Henry S. Lane.
Again he stumped the State from end to
end, and the ticket was successful by a
majority of about 10000. His life as
private citizen ended then, and he began
a public career which continued until his
death.
In 1861 Governor Lane was transferred
to the United States Senate, and Morton,
then thirty-seven years old, became gov
ernor of Indiana He had already de-
clared his position on the exciting ques-
ton about which the nation was dis
tracted after Lincoln's election to the
y. a
dianapolis In November, in 1860. he de-
nounced the doctrine of peaceable seces-
sion as wicked, and demanded the en-
forcement Of the constitution aud the laws
in all the States at all hazards. These
words from the West at that time were
echoed over the whole North. and con-
tributed greatly to fixing the resolve
OF 1t. people. lie had not been long
governor before he showed tina, he pos
sessed executive abilities of the highest
type. The State finances were in
wretched condition. and the civil service
OF the State was pitiably weak. In
short time he had corrected the worst
evils, and had the State in good condi-
ton for the struggle coming. In Febru-
AIRY after the adoption of the Confederate
States slitntion, and again when Pres.
ident Lincoln passed through Indianapo.
is on the way to Washington, he de-
liyered addresses that were widely rec
ognized for their patriotic wisdom and
inspiring courage.
After Fort Sumter was bombarded, and
before the Presidents call for troops
was received, be had telegraphed to the
President tender of 10000 men TO de-
fend the Union and uphold its authority.
He was the first governor to proffrr
troops. 1ndiana's quota under the call
was six regiments, which were promptly
raised, and the governor offered six adj
dilional regiments, to be ready in six
days if accepted. From that time he
was marked as one of the most vigor-
Gus and efficient of the war governors.
Indiana was the home of Northern con-
spiracies. and he needed to be as watchiul
against the enemy in his State as OF that
across the border.
In 1862 the democrats obtained a ma
jortv in the legislature, and straightway
resorted to a stratagem ia behalf of the
rebellion as base and defiant as any in
the annals Of the war. They refused to