The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-01-11

At this crisis, when party leaders seemed TO
be at their wits end, Mr.. Morrill, addressed to
Governor Garceon letter so calm courteous,
dignifed reasonable, temperate and convinc-
ing, SO characteristic of its author, and in such
striking contrast to SO many of the utterances
which had preceded it, that his Excellency
vite the guidance of his special constitutional
advisers, the justices of the Supreme Court,
and order was evolved out of chaos 1t is diff
fcult to overestimate the Indebtedness of Maine
to Mr.. Morrill, and Major-General Chamber
lain pacifieators three years ago. for 1t is not
easy to imagine any other peaceful solution of
that portentous controversy than that which
was originated by the one and executed by the
other
Mr.. Morrill, was well made up man. His
fine natural powers had been trained and de-
veloped by life of industry.
His voice was powerful, flexible and melod-
ious, his manners graceful and winning, his
address courtly, dignifed and commanding.
His Judgment was sound, his counsels wise,
his temper serene.
His nature was most kindly, generous, for
giving and sympathetic. No mans feelings
were ever wounded by an ungracious or dispar-
aging word uttered by Senator Morrill,, either
to his face or behind his back. His lifelong
benevoence irradiated his face and impressed
all who met him.
To incorruptible integrity and blameless
morals, he united rare modesty aud ar exalted
sense Of honor. Ambitious he must have bse.'
but his was an ambition unmixed with jeai-
ousy or envy, and untainted by sel6shness.
Few men had keenes discernment Of or q
heartier loathing for the vulgar arts of the
demagogue, or the subtle tricks of the adroit
and slippery politician, but his contempt and
disgust never vented themselves in personal
denunciation. His ideal of American states
manship was of the loftiest type, an ideal
which was exemplified by an active public life
of nineteen years.
Consistent, he practiced, not what he pro-
fessed, for he was lot a man of professions,
but what he advocated. His public utterances
ara disfgured by no appeal to the passions OF
to any of the lower motives, and he scorned to
advance his party's interest, or his own, by
questionable or selfish means. In fact, his
aversion to every form of self-seeking amount
ed to fault, in the estimation of some OF his
friends, who felt that it interfered with his
just success.
He was highly successful lawyer popular
Governor, an able and honored Senator, q skill
full director of the national finances, discreet
Cabinet adviser. He numbered among his
intimate and valued friends the late Senators
Fessenden. Sumner and Reverdy johnson,
and ex-Senators Thurman and Conkling. No
Senator was better beloved, more implicitly
trusted. or more thoroughly respected.
His non-partisan temper and judicial fair
ness of mind commanded the respect and con-
idence of both parties, so that his services
were often required in Investigations of the
most delicate and difficult character. SO
strong was the attachment of President Grant,
that during Secretary Morrills Illness in Feb
rusry, 1877, it was the Presidents habit to
visit him daily.
he faithfully served his State and his coun-
try, and throughout his long career no shadow
ever clouded his public or private reputation.
Mr.. Morrill, was at Augusta constant at
tendant at the Congregational church, and at
the First Parish when in Portland.
He was devout Christian believer. He
married the daughter of the late Hon. William,
Vance, of Readfeld, who, with four daughters,
survives him. He was brother of ex-Gcy.
Anson P. Morrill,, of Augusta.