The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-15


man going to law school after five years of
practice and highly creditabe service on the
bench, but it in keeping with his whole
character He was always thorough, always
mastered what be undertook and was not man
to be deferred by false pride from going backs
acquire knowledge in which he might have fef
or imagined himself to be deficient. Betwt
1882 and 1850 nearly all Of his time and energy
We're given to the law, with the exception of some
digressions into politics.
MORTON IN POLITICS.
During the first ten years of his adult life
Morton was a Democrat In 1854 the Demo
cratic party repealed the Missouri Compromise
and passed the Kansas Nebraska bill This act =,
ofinfamy betrayed the whole purpose of the
slave power, and Oliver P. Morton was at that
time one with many others who, having become
convinced Of its faithlessness and treachery, left
the party. as when slavery extension was made
the tombstone of party fcalty he felt that to be
the only course to pursue From that time forth
he acted with the friends of liberty and progress
who Subsequently came together under the naml
Of the Republican party. Indiana at that tim
was Democratic State, and as he was a rising
man in that party, there was hardly position,
within the gift of the Democracy of tie State
that he might not reasonably have hoped to at
tain III 4 very short time Yet he chose to saeri-
flee these prospects for principles sake and iden-
titled himself with a movement which so far as
human foresight could judge at that time, had
no earthly hope of success On the 22d of Feb
ruary, 1886, Mr.. Morton was one of three dele
gates sent from Indiana to the Pittsburg con-
vention by the new party and at that conven-
ton, attended by Republicans from nearly all
the Northern States he recognized as a
leader. This convention led the way for the one
at Philadelphia, held in June, 1856, which nomi-
mated John c. Fremont for President. May l.
1886, the Republicans of Indiana, at that time
called the Peoples party, met in Indianapolis
and nominated, by reclamation, Oliver P Nor
ton their candidate for Governor His oppo-
nent in the contest was Ashbel P. Willard
fluent speaker, ready in debate, with an estab-
ished reputation as an orator Morton had his
reputation as political speaker to make. Dem
ocrats thought their eloquent champion would
easily dispose of his comparatively unknown an
tagonist in the joint canvass that had been ar
ranged, but the canvass had not progressed very
far before the Republican champion showed
himself to be greatly superior to Governor
Willard in political information, force of argu-
ment and all the essentials of political oratory.
From this campaign though unsuccessful, dated
Mr.. Mortons popularity with Republicans, and
from that time he was the recognized
leader of the party in Indiana. The party
grew rapidly between 1856 and 1860,
and i'll the latter year Mr. Mortons services were
again demanded. the party nominating him for
Lieutenant Governor with Hon Henry S. Lane
for Governor, the age and prestige of Mr. Lane
being thought to entirle him to that honor, while
at the same time there was distinct under
standing that if the party was successful Mr.
Lane should go to the United States Senate and
Mr. Morton should become Governor. The cleo
ton resulted in the success Of the whole Repub-
hcan ticket by about 10000. Upon the conven-
ing of the Indiana Legislature Governor Henry
S. Lane was elected to the United States Senate.
and on the 10th Of January, 1861, Oliver P. Nor
ton became Governor of Indiana.
THE WAR GOVERNOR.
From the day of his Inauguration Governor
Morton gave evidence of possessing extraordi-
nary executive ability. The storm-cloud was
gathering in the South Several States had
passed ordinances of secession. A President
and Vice president of THE Confederate States
of America" had been elected. In the North the
condition Of the public mind was marked by
trepidation confusion and uncertainty, but un
derlying all was a determined purpose to pre-
serve the Union. Governor Morton prepared to
meet the coming storm. In Indiana, especially
in the southern portion of the State there was
strong opposition to eoercive policy on the
part Of the government, and many Democrats
openly declared that ii this policy was adopted
they would take up arms for the South. Gov
ernor Morton friend of alfway meas
ures. lie was for the Constitution and Union
and, if need be, for war to preserve them He
visited Washington soon after President lin
coins Inauguration to advise vigorous action.
and to assure the President of Indiana's support
in such policy. On the 18th OF April. 1861
Fort Sumter fell On the 18th President Lin
coin issued his proclamation calling for 1900
men. On the morning Of the very day this
proclamation was issued and before il was re
eeived i'll indianapolis Governor Morton tele
graphed 10 the President: ION behalf Of the
State of Indiana tender to YOU for the defense
Of the nation and to uphold the authority of the
government, Ten thousand men, Thus Indiana,
through her Governor, was the FIRST State 10 ac-
cept the gage Of war and proffer troops. rs she
was also one Of the first to put her troops into
the field. The States quota under this call was
six regiments hut in loss than seven days more
than twelve thousand mon had been rendered
Governor Morton at the very Threshold Of the
conflict showed an appreciation OF its probable
magnitude and am energy in preparing for it not
evinccd by the Governor Of any other Northern
State Foreseeing that tie government would
need more men, he telegaphed to the
Secretary of War offering six additional regi-
ments. Telegraphic communication being inter-
rupted with Washington and receiving no re,
sponse on the 23d Of April he sent on a special