The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1878-02-14

measures involving vast property in
terests. The disbursement Of millions
of money might sturn upon his voice or
yote, and yet he died leaving a com.
petence only sUch.as frugal life could
1gather.
His style OF diving was the most un-
|pretentious. {t has been said Of him
that at one time when fashion spread
her crimson sails and the sea of gayety
rolled unchecked through this capitol,
Mr.. Morton's goodman donned the
livery of the times, and the Senator OBJ
Serving this, without ostentati0n of
any kind and without attempting in
the slightest degree to dictate as to the
tastes or customstof others, simply in
timated to his coaGhmBn that the plain
garb of the American citizen would de-
| for him and would have to do for the
driver Of his cab; and we all remegl-
Der that primitive vehicle in which,
from necessity, he rede from the capi-
tol to his lodgings.
There are slight matters, perhaps
scarcely worth the mentioning; and
yet, in the language of the immortal
Lincoln, "the plain people will under
stand them"
we'll remember an incident which
occurred during the Last Congress. A
committee Of which ! CHANGED to be 3
member was chargedWit certain in
vestigations. a witness had mention
| ed the name Of Mr.. Merton in connec-
ton with proposed improper fee It
was an obscure insinuetion and in no
wise rose to the dignity of a charge.
The tetimony Was printed in an even
/ ing paper. Tbs next morning, no soon
er were out dOGrs opened than the rat
/ tie of the Seat0rS cane was heard on
the marble stairway eading to the
committee-room; and the manner in
/ which he confronted his accuser and
the celebrity with which the charge was
/ Withdrawn convinced all who witness
] ed the scene that OliverP. Morton was
abl8 and ready to defend his honor
I whenever assailcd.
\ Mr.. Speaker, am not ,on tho list Of
j his eulogists because [ can pretend to
d have enjoyed his intimate acQualnt-
lance. And yet at one time certain mi
4-lor committee da1ties threEV me fire.
i auently in his society, and / had the
i g00d fortune to hear him discuss in
,Ithe unreserye Of social intercourse
;l62nae of the most important questions
,lQf1he day.
i IL think whoever heard him at such
times could not fail to be convinced
4 that central facts aud fundamental
Ideas were the guiding star of his life.
| j remember going to him at one time
in the Senate and making the inquiry
when he expected t0complete a8peech
which he had commenced upon Mis-
sissippi affairs. With an air of gravity
amounting almost to sadness he repli-
ed, Il am not sure that I shall ever
complete it" He then went on to say
that. bis only object in making it was
to get certain facts before the country,
but that, under the policy Of Journal
ism then in vogue, while whole col
umTls and pages of the remarks of Gp-
ponents were given to the public, Of
which he did not complain, scarcely q
dozen Lines of these facts were allowed
to appear.
/ AAA4A 2&A%1 tSNNACNS WILL %t&2 CAAApAASAoAo
which shall never forget:
The truth is, that congressional documents
and reports, are fast becoming the mere tombs
of facts which Unknown in detail would startle
the country with horror.
That speech was never completed.
1t remains as he left it, a specimen of
his unfnised work.
And, Mr. Speaker, / sometimes fear
the time will not come in this country
which may God in his mercy avert,
when that speech, standing like bro
ken column, may prove monumental
reminder to the American people that
one of their graVest mistakes was that
at one Of the most critical periods Of
their history they neglected to take the
advice and counsel of Oliver p. Morton.
1t has sometimes been charged that
in his public acts he was moved only
/ by a spirit Of hatred. do not think
| the man ever knew the feeling of hate,
except that hatred which he felt for all
forms Of wrong and injustice. And /
think the day is rapidly approaching
when this will be universally conceded, |
and when none will be more ready to
acknowledge it than those who are his
bitterest, his ablest, and therefore most
generous opponents. He simply fol-
lowed his convictions of duty WHEREBY
er they led HIM.
Could he rise from the grave to-day
to pronounce his own eulogy, [ doubt
if he could do it in filter language than
he said of Henry Wilson:
His great stranoAb Voc in hiS convictions He I
was man of ideas, and relied upon ideas for
success. He was a man of courage. He dared
to follow his convictions wherever theyled him.
So with Mr.. Morton. He was full
of conviction and fearfully in earnest.
He seldom jested and never trided
TO him the conflicts Of life were
fraught with awful reality; and such
of them as fell to his lot were proSecu-
ted with the skill of a master But
while he marshalled all his means and
fought like Hercules for success he
never sacrificed the fidelity of friend
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