, 1884-02-29
OLIVER P. MORTON.
A Man Of Iron win In Politics. and
Genial In His Social
Life


OS
Oliver T. Mortonfs memory hes properly
been recently honored by a statue at Indian
apolis, the scene of his services as a war
governor. After Fort Sumter was bonn
barded, and before the presidents call for
troops was received, he had telegraphed to
the president a tender OF 10, 1000 men to de-
fend the union and uphold its authority. He
was the first governor to profer troops. In
diana's quota under the call was SIX regi-
ments, which were promptly raised, and the
governor offered six additional regiments, to
be ready in six days, IL accepted. From that
time he was marked as one of the most vigor-
Gus and efficient of the war governors, rival
ling Andrew in devotion and activity, and
exertins bis influence, not only at home bat
In other states and at tho national capital.
Governor Morton was elected to the United
States senate in january. 1857. and. resign
Ing the governorship, took his seat on the
4th Of March for the term ending in 1878.
Many OF the great war senators were still in
their places. Mr.. Wade was there as presi-
dent OF the senate and acting vice president.
Charles Sumner and William Pitt Fsssenden
still occupied the seats held SO many years
with honor. Grouped about them were Ed
munds and Morgan and Wilson and Trum-
bull and F~rehngbuysen, and others of SINH
lar character, who will ever be remembered
among Americas ablest statesmen.
Originally of splendid puysique, with fash
ing black eyes and the voice of a Stentor, he
gradually decayed as he advanced to the
leadership Of the senate, and finally had to
be carried to his seat In a chair by two men.
II he rose to speak, ten minutes on his feet
would exhaust him so that he would nave to
lean upon a high rest attached to his desk,
and often pain and weakness compelled him
TO finish sitting a speech which he began
standing. But sitting or standing. sick or
we'll, be was the strongest debater in the
senate and the best partisan leader either
house had seen since Thad. Stevens died.
His memory was prodigious. His powers Of
analysis were superb He was a strong
logician by nature. No difficulties or OBJ
Stacles seemed to discourage him, and he was
ever in the front rank OF Republican sena-
tors. In season and out of season. As he be-
came crippled in body, his Intellectual facul
ties appeared more powerful than before. BE
WINS bold without being rash. sanguine with
out being oy~er-con6dent, earnest and deter
mined. Without the grace of a beautiful
style, never making a quotation, rarely in
dulging In an anecdote, he spoke with an
earnestness and force that carried conviction
with his argument. In debate he displayed
a boldness and skill, and a readiness In sudden
attack or defense, which gave him great
strength in the senate.
VIE 49, AHo VA A(AAOA1H VII Oh III
Morton never hesitated when called upon to
%relinquish his personal views that he might
be in accord with those OF the people of Indi-
ana or the Republican party. Neither did ho
ever indulge in vituperation of those who
did not agree with hun, nor seek to plant q
sting In the heart Of an adversary. He has
left no enemies in the senate, for, although a
man Of iron will, his ways were almost
childlike, his manners modest and his good
nature proverbial. He was a devoted hus-
band. an affectionate father and a kind
friend. Amiable in his disposition, genial In
his social instincts. simple in his habits and
incorruptibly honest, his path of glory led
"but to the grave"
Governor Morton always lived while In
Washington at the Ebbitt house, where he
had a parlor aud a bedroom up one flight
OF stairs, opening out upon a little balcony
over the main entrance. capable of hold
ing about a dozen persons. From this
balcony, Senator Morton delivered many a
political ~harangue. 1t was a noticeable charac-
~teristic OF the man that he rarely let slip an
opportunity for making a political speech,
and never, so far az my observation serves,
made such q speech without throwing his
whole power into It He gloried In political
power, and lived on political excitement
From o in the morning until 8 or ~ at night,
when he usually retired, his parlor at the
Ebbitt was almost constantly the scene OF
some conference, except when he was at the
capitol, whore he never missed a days at
tendance IL he was well enough TO be out of
his bed.