Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1878-01-24
Mr.. yoorhccs. OF Indiana.


Mr.. President. the prophecies of this sad 90
casion and the usages of this body do not per-
init nae to remain silent We are paying the
last tribute of respec. TO one who was long .
Senator from Indiana, and whose name viii be
forever associated with her history. We are
saying the last few words over the grave Of one
who played bold and leading part here, aud
identified himself with every prominent meas-
ure IN national affairs for the past ten years.
! knew Senator Oliver p. Morton from my
first entrance upon the duties OF manhood. We
met OF the beginning of our acquaintance both
as personal and political friends, and although
We afterward became as widely separated ss
the poles Of the earth in our views of public az
fairs. yet our personal relations were never dis
turbed- There were periods of great excite
ment ina oar State when we met but seldom, but
when We did IL was always with ciyiity and
courtesy.
Senator Morton was without doubt, . vory re-
markabie man. His force of character cannot Be
overestimated HIS willpower Was simply trc-
mendous- lie threw himself into all his under
takings with hxedness OF purpose and disrc-
gard Of obstacles which are always the best
guarantees Of success. This WAS true Of HIM,
whether engaged an q lawsuit. organising
troops during the war, conducting . political
campaign or debate in the Senate. The
same daring aggressive policy characterised
his conduct everywhere. He made warm,
devoted friends and bitter enctpiea His fol-
lowers were intense In their support and
admiration, and his enemies were often unre-
such q nature rs his. Small men OF neutral
temperamentse escape the conflicts of life through
which the strong. bold man passes to fame and
power.
The motives which actuated Senator Nor
ton in hs public conduct are not now open
to discussion. l shall ask the Same charity
for mine when I gone that 1 extend to
his That he was sincere in his convictions
no one will ever question. That the gen.
cral tenor of his convictions upon the rela-
tions between the North and South was erro-
neous think history will fully establish.
Senator Mortons life contains one great lesson
TO young men commencing career of hone able
ambition. lie entered upon the ordeal OF life
with nothing on which TO rely but Ills own intel
lect and his indomitable will. The position
from which he started to achieve all his success
was humble and unpromisns II is hard 10 rc-
call any other American whose career better
proves that industry and talents will overcome
all things than his. lie became "a power i'm tho
land. lie was a party leader. second to none IN
our history. Ii he could not be President him
self he did much to make others SO, and 70 do
tate their policies. Aud now that he Is gone .
large portion OF the American people regard his
loss as irreparable.
Sir, Oliver p. Morton Is 10 more aud In his
death there is q solemn lesson to us. How small
and insignificant appear all the asperities the
hcart-burnings aud personal alienations Of the
hour when measure them by tho side of our
responsibilities In the world to which he hss
gone! We as evapcscens aad 0eeting here
rs the insect tribes OF the aif orer the nyaS
lin tho lsnu which .:e are drifting" there y
life forever. Let us use the little margin ne
have on the shores of time that eternity win
open as joy, and not ~ terror 10 our ibse-
atcd spirits And may those We leave behind
US do for our memories what We do today for
the memory Of Oliver p. Morton.