The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-27
A RARE OCTOGENARIAN
THE VENERABLE SENATOR JUSTIN
s. MORRILL, of VERMONT.
His Habits and Mode of Life-Rem-
fnfscences and Anecdotes.

Mr.. MorrilFs recent speech on the
financial policy of the administration
has brought him letters of praise and
commentator from all over the coun-
try. The strongest in approval, and the
most gratifying naturally, have come
from the very centers of Democracy.
1t was from every point of view a re-
markable speech, and equals if not
excels, any of his previous efforts on
similar subjects. When one remembers
that Senator Morrill, has already passed
his eighty-fourth birthday and last
summer suffered long and tedious ILL
ness this fact is worthy of note. His
intellectual performances at so adj
vanced an age are equaled by only one
other living man, Gladstone, and his
career has been almost as remarkable
in it's way as that of the great English
statesman. Mr. Morrill, tells story of
meeting one of his constituents in his
travels about the country.
BE we Justin Morrill?" asked the
granger, surprised.
YES" answered the Senator. II am
Justin Morrill,"
WAL, yer amt nigh onto as big a
man as I thought yer was
The student of history will expert
ence no such disappointment. Mr. Nor
rill's career is unique in many ways.
For thirty-nine consecutive years he
has represented the people of Vermont
in Senate and House. A longer term
of continuous service than any one
man has known in the history of our
government with the exception of
Samuel Smith, of Maryland, who served
from 1898 to 1888. Since his first few
terms in the House and after the birth
of the Morrill, tariff his political posi-
ton at home has been an invulnerable
one. He has been 'eturned term after
term without effort on his part. Only
recently. in conversation With one of
his constituents, Senator Morrill, re-
market that his political life would
soon be at an end and there -rould be
room for some one else.
NO" said the listener. "As long as
you live you must represent Vermont
in the Senate. The other fellows can
wait"
This is the feeling all over the State,
and 1.-The other fellows" realize that
they must wait. The loyalty Of the
people to him, his hold upon their affec-
tions and their belief in the integrity
of his purposes is matter for wonder
in our tickle times. The reason for this
is not apparent from a superficial
knowledge of the man. for he possesses
in no degree the personal magnetism
which made Mr. Blaines following.
STURDY VETERAN.
Happily, Senator Morrill, is in unusual
health and spirits this winter. No one
of his colleagues is as regular in at
tendance at the Senate. During the in
c1or.ort and I,;ttor xuoo ~, or of 10 CT x,oal<
even he was in his seat every day. The
only change he has made IN the habits
of years is that he leaves the Capitol
a trifie earlier than formerly. In ap-
pearance Senator Morrill, has altered
very little in the last twenty years. His
hair, which falls in curls over a broad
and prominent forehead, is, perhaps
grayer, and the lines in his face are
deeper. His slender, loosely built figure
has the same slight stoOp between the
shoulders. his face the same kindly ex-
preston which is SO familiar to all those
who frequent the Senate galleries. His
whole personality suggests strength,
ruggedness, stability. In this Mr.. Nor
rill is true exponent Of Green noun
tain civilization, and there is a uues-
ton if there is any better civilization
any civilization more honest, simpler
nobler or freer from trickery and guile
The god of the people in this section is
accomplishment. Everything is made
to do duty for this end. The men and
women who show tangible proof that
they have not been idle are the heroes
and heroines. This may in a measure
explain Senator Morrilrs popularity.
His life has been singularly rich in ac-
complishment. He possesses the in
domltable perseverance which recog-
nizes no obstacles-for him they do not
exist, and nothing is impossible Of at
tainment. Again, Senator Morrill, is
never idle. Every moment of his life
is occupied, and this habit of method
ical and systematic work he acquired
early in life. In this hurrying end Of
the century he never seems to be in a
hurry. and yet his work is always done.
There are no clamors from angry con-
stituents of unanswered letters. He
never speaks unless he has something
to say, and that something is always
of value. His English is classic in it's
directness, simplicity and force, and
what he says has been thought out with
conscientious elaboration that is char
acteristic.
On his birthdays it has long been
Mr.. Morrilis custom to gather his
friends about him. These gatherings
are very remarkable in that all the dis
tinguished men and women in town
come together in honor of the venerable
statesman. 1t was at one of these BIRTH
ril that he had probably made fewer
mistakes than any other man i'll public
life. Indeed, he could recall no mis-
takes for which he was responsible. an
unusual record for a public man. This
he attributed to the fact that Mr.. Nor
rill was so dispassionate. so deliberate,
so invariably controlled by his reason.
In his policy and speeches there have
been no weak places, no unprotected
points.
In manners he is simple. direct. earn
est, with the old school courtesy and
reserve. His manner would almost be
called cold, but is a barrier of defense
against the mob of office seekers and
those who have axes to grind. Mr.. Nor
rill is far removed from that school of
public men who are hail fellows we'll
met-promse much and perform little.
He is careful to perform more than he
promises. and the smallest details are
not beneath his attention. In his inter-
course with his colleagues he is cordial
and responsive. and does his share of
the story telling. which obtains more
or less in the committee rooms at the
Capitol Mr.. Morrill, has never been a
club man and is not what is known
as a mans man." but he has genial.
social side to his nature. He is cordial
ly hospitable and delights to gather his