The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-11-02
IN MEMORY OF MORTON
ANNIVERSARY OF THE GREAT WAR
GOVERNORS DEATH.
Mai. r.. W. Halford's Address mt Gem
traI-Avenue VI. r.. Church-Features
of the statesman's Life.

in the CentraI-avenue NJ +. Church. The
day was the nineteenth anniversary OF his
death. The church was beautifully decor
ated with flags and bunting. Small flags
adorned the pillars supporting the gallery
and on the walls were larger flags. The
large pipe organ was almost covered with
an immense flag that formed the back
ground for the pulpit. The veterans met
down town and marched to the church, and
they filled It 10 its capacity. The prin-
cipal address was delivered by Major Z.
W. Halford. who was private secretary to
Mr.. Morton when he was in the Senate
The address was listended 10 with the
closest attention. Mr.. Haiford was unable
TO stand alone. but had TO lean on his cane
most of the time while talking.
III. ". Caylor. department commander of
the G.. y. r.. made a short introductory
address. speaking of the custom that had
made this service an annual affair. he
was followed by Mrs Agnes Hit, national
president of the W. r. C.. who read a short
address. After Major HalfOrd concluded j.
Russell Powell sang THE Soldiers Dream"
1t was finely rendered. and ELECTED great
applause The address of Major Halford
was as follows:
Mr.. Commander. Ladies and Gentle
men. Members Of the Grand Army or the
lIepub.I.-It L have no other equipment Tor
the hour 10 which your partiality has
brought me, l cherish an almost flial re-
gard for the man and the memory in whose
honor you have assembled.
1 first saw Oliver Perry Morton in the
little Ohio town, then my home, when- ne
was the candidate OF the naseent Repuo-
lican party for the gOVernorShlp OF lLdlaua,
I'm that inspiring campaign or 1885, when.
with other lads, l marched as Junior
Pathfinder under the banner OF free press:
free speech. free Kansas and Fremont
In the flush of young manhood, splendfd
specimen Of stalwart Americanlsm MOT
ton was, TO my imagination, one or the
foremost Of that briiIiant galaxy OF men
who made those days iliustrious with their
patriotic devotion JC freedom
a few years afterward IL was my fortune
20 come into somewhat close acquaintance
with the Governor and TO be honored by
slight service for him, which did not cease
until, standing by his bedside, i saw the
last act in the drama OF his great H1e
Others have spoken, and will continue 10
speak, of his public services OF MS untlr-
ing labors during the years of the war
as Governor of restless state, which he
held BY strenuous and almost superhuman
grasp 10 its allegiance to the national gov
eminent: of his equally arduous and con-
spicuous service in the chamber, where,
first among equals, he commanded tne
applause OF Il listening Senate. and wrote
his history in such indelib.e characters that
A. will be read forever in a nations eyes
Suffice Il for me to quote onIy tne ' of th
armies and chief magistrate OF the Nation
had the best opportunities TO know and
measure their value: Sc ator Morton ;
services will rank him with Amer
fca's greatest statesmen. In that high
company his memory stands secure. 49,
While he was Governor. bearing the ire
mendous burdens laid upon his shoulders,
AZ was my duty as reporter TO go INTO MS
office every day, and never did see mn, MN
the treatment which only really great
man can give. Looking back upon those
days and upon succeeding ones AFTER his
transfer to the Senate, it is marvel 10
recall the unwearied patience, the un1alnhs
courtesy. the gentle kindness or the man:
Ia. nj naT IN
my life To say that in all thar makes up
what we call gentleman Oliver r. Nor
ton holds the irst d PaGe nv neit that OF i'm
tested day and night alike. amid all cir
cumstances, The bore without abuse the
grand old name of gentleman. IL was Que
10 the tin es i'm which he lived and wrought.
TO the passions excited to treason, murder
e and assassination thai for time LIS nat
ural gentleness was obscured, and he was
caricstured by those VINO kmeM HliL iea -,
as the apostle Of hate. This faisehood
was born of a thorough misunderstanding
of the underlying springs and motives or
fis public life. But he lived long enough To
have that misunderstanding removed and
TO he vacogniZed by political FRIEND ana zoe
alike for what he really vas
SOME SENATORIAL TRIBUTES.
when the Congress came 10 speak of him
who had been its most noted inquire these
we're some of the tributes to his character.
Senator Mcdonald said: His opponents
concede that he possessed many high and
noble qualities" Senator Thurman said
he was always kindly and friendly. Sena-
tor Bruce, of Mississippi, said: Morton
was a man of catholic spirit and judg>
ents: Senator Paddock ssliC.: He was o
kindly. generous man withal." Senator Id
munds said: THE warmest controversy
rarely, IL ever, interfered with the kindii-
ness of his personal relations with his f9'-
iow-senators. Senator Mitchell. OF the
N Il
''By those who knew him well his gentle
ross Of manner. his uniform KINDNESS. WI
be cherished in grateful remembrance 10
the end Of life. He always met his col
leagues in the committee room with smile
and parted with words or klndneSS. Ills
nature was of true gentleneSs- An
other OF his colleagues said. ITO all rugged
and man attributes he added u tender ara
gertlc spirit, which especially fitted him
FOR companlonship ard drew others 20 hin
with hooks of steel. Morton 4. Hunter
said: "He was as little influenced by per,
sonal animcsIties as any man ever knew
The present Postmaster-generaI, Hon w
J.. Wilson, one Of the congressional commit
tee that attended his funeral IN this city
said: No Dlan could be thus niourned and
buried who did not possess goou QUALITIES
both of head and heart. Jucge Hoadiy
also. said: ''HIe was amiable and cordial
genial aud sweet tempered a man OF ten
Ger heart and very gentle nature.
While a member of the Electoral
ton Was carried from the Supreme
Court room TO bear part In IN.
services held In honor of the memory o.
Michael G. Kerr, ex-Democrauc Speaker
of the House of Representatives. a writer
I'm the Boston Herald, who knew him well
house after Il very hard days work at th'
State Capitol and return again TO his Office
10 prosecute an inquiry for sorrowIni
woman about her wounded SON" The
Nashville Banner OF June ~, lSsO, related
sn incident that transpired while he wa:
Governor of the State In the battle o
Shiloh the Confederate general Joel "A
Battle, was taken prisoner and brought
with others. TO Camp Morton. The Genere
had lost two sons on the second day OF tn
Shiloh fight. Shortly after the arrival o.
the prisoners Governor Morton visited TIT
camp and. at his request, was introduced
TO General Battle. The Confederate officer
had the then prevailing idea OF the Gov
ernor and expected TO receive II TRADE o.
abuse. Instead, the Governor gave MIN
kindly anC respectful greeting. said he ha6
known OF his sons at Miami University
sympathized with him in the loss of hi
boys and inquired whether he could be o.
any service to him. going so far as to offe
90 become the Generals banker If h'
needed funds for his personal comfort
Long after the General Battle wa;
won't to relate this occurrence and TO SAL
that no matter what the heat of politica
controversy might lead others TO say o
him, he knew that no better and truer mar
lived than Oliver Il. Morton. In the light
these facts, and of these judgments o
those who knew him best. recalling the IN
counted thousands who lined these street.
on that chill November day TO do honor [,
his memory. IL IS not too much TO sa,
that whatever the misInder landings witt
which his life and services may have beer
once attended. Oliver Il Morton died ii
nd n,