The Indianapolis journal., 1894-11-05


when its wisdom will be as universally ac-
cepted as the thirteenth amendment. abol-
ishing slavery. One Is the necessary Sc, Sc.
Morton its logical necessity and justice
were so apparent that he threw his whole
I'm the war he was undaunted by any OBJ
stacles, and he felt that he was justified
in any measures which would force the re-
calcitrant States into the ratificat ton of this
beneficient measure of reform. His indom-
liable will and fertility of resources were
the the Contest in the -enate. which resulted
in the final adoption or the amendment,
which was the great work of his sena-
torial career.
AS A FINANCIER.
His position on the political committees
and the burden of debate on the questions
which he had specially in hand. prevented
him from giving as much attention to the
financial legislation of Congress as he
would otherwise have done. He had in
his administration as Governor shown
marked financial ability. and he recog-
nized the Importance Of placing the finances
Of the country on a sound and stable basis
As early as 1869 he introduced bill for
the resumption of specie payment, which
eventually adopted, and which gave to Sem
ator Sherman such deserved reputation for
It's practical realization.
member of the committee on foreign re-
lations, and, notwithstanding the absorb
Sf potcs 'VTs WHICH Sf were to his an
agement he gave much attention to the
diplomatic questions which came before
icy was beyond his comprehension or
mastery sst,saa ae WITH Mas not smatternp maR o G
was dligent student. and few Senator'S
made greater use of the congressional Ii
brary. He had besides the great advantage
Of
since distinguished in diplomacy, and in
Congress, who was well informed in for
eign matters. The great question before
that, committee was our claims against
Great Britain on account of her conduct
during the civil war 81 no . true american sSan
at this day without feeling of INDIGNATION.
1t was inconsistent, inexcusa5le and ABB
horrent to the ties Of our common blood and
principles 1t was no wonder that a feel
ing of resentment, even of revenge, per-
vaded our country and had its influence
a grasp of the momentous questions in
volved that President Grant asked him to
accept the mission to LONDON on with 81 special
greatly f1attered by the invitation, and
would probably have accepted the post had
was then In the hands of his party oppo-
nents, and he felt that he could not hon
orably vacate his seat; s, have no 10 DOUBT ntna ne
tional reputation in this new field of public
service, but he was destined TO close his
career In his own country ana III the 0eh-
ate.
body member of it took more prom
inent part or exercised greater influence In
its legislation, and doubt whether in the
whole history of the country any Senator
in the same length of time had more to do
Grant write at the time of his death: His
services in the Senate will rank
him with Americas greatest patriots and
statesmen
ATTITUDE TO THE SOUTH.
'T shall not attempt in this paper a re-
view of Morton's character. This work has
been ably performed by other of his friends
who have spoken on these memorial occa-
sions. but 1 desire to notice one phase Of it.
During the stormy times of his political
career it was common for the partisan press
to style him 'the apostle Of hate but there
/ Is no excuse for the use Of such an epithet
but the excitement of political controversy.
Morton was a man of intense convictions
and absorbed with the ruling idea of his
| life, the safety and supremacy of the Union,
and he was bitter in his opposition TO all
that stood in the way of the attainment
Of what he regarded as necessary means
| in personal vituperation, and those who
were most intimate with him know that he
in private life man OF gentle i'm
pulses and kindly heart 1t is well known
conspirators, Milligan and Bowies, by the
military commission, II was Governor Nor
| toms active fnterposition with President
Johnson which saved their lives notwith-
standing a part of the plot with which
they were connected contemplated the as
| sassination of the Governor. Although he
| was severe in his denunciation of the South
| ern outrages during the period Of recon.
| struction, and advocated drastic measures
| Influenced by any hatred of the Southern
| people, as his speeches abundantly show
| l quote a single sentence, which 1 am sure
/ Il
| anxious for the complete restoration Of the
South, the upbuilding Of her prosperity and
of love to each other and devotion to ouI
| common country. The principle which con.
trolled all his public life is concisely stated
made, in these words: Let me say to the
men of the South, there is but one highway
TO reconciiiation, ana tnar rs open s.raisn1
these words, Equal rights to ALL to al
equal protection of the laws If the South
| ern people will walk in that highway they
will arrive at the temple of peace and fine
| unbroken rest. / am glad to believe tha
with the passage of time We are reaching
the era which Morton longed to see-tha
| of reconciliation and peace with loyal devo
| tion TO the Union. On all questions of ma
| tonal policy and in all measures for the de
| fense and prosperity OF our common coun
| try / should to-day hope to fnd as man!
and as patriotic advocates in the South a
in the North. In the recent arbitration
| at Paris where we met with the repre-
sentatives of other nations to settle diff
culties with Great Britain, we had no NOR
| honored or ardent defender of the Nation
rights than Senator Morgan, of Alabama
once a general in the rebel army, now al
enthusiastic champion of our consolidate
| Union
when, a few months ago, Presiden
Cleveland, with commendable promptnes
and without waiting for the call of a Gov
ernor. sent the army Of the United State
into localities where the peace was dis
turbed and the laws set at defiance, it wa
gratifying evidence Of the approval O
the principle for which Morton had con
i tended, of the supreme power of the fedora
government, to see that Mr.. Cleveland
action was so heartily indorsed in the lat
rebellious States. I close with one NOR
speeches, In which he pleaded so strongl
for the preservation of the Union and tn
maintenance of the supremacy of the Ma
ton, there is the evidence that he wa
earnestly impressed with the great destin
| which was reserved for our country.
Imagination might picture the disastrou
results which would have followed a fai
| ure OF the armies of the Union. but w
have in realization the blessings which hav
come to US as the result of the trump
| of the cause for which Morton lahore
so assiduously; and the future he saw woul
be reserved for this Nation is plaini
marked out, IL we are only true to oul
selves. At the beginning of this centur
the Anglo-Saxon race numbered only twer
ty millions of people and stood fifth anon
the civilized races. To-day it numbers 100
100000 of people, and by long odds stand
first among them. OF this race more tha
half of 1t is found in the United State
and in wealth and national resources ii IA
surpasses any other nation of the glob
Professor Seeley, the historian of Can
bridge University, England. in a review
the Anglo-Saxon race says that in the NJ
distant fufuro tho JrDifod Statoc mill %