The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-07
THE MORTON SERVICES
ANNUAL EXERCISES IN MEMORY OF
THE WAR GOVERNOR.
Estimate of His Character by John L.
Griffiths, who Delivered
the Address.


Commander Ryan, of the G. A. r., presided
and there was a large turnout of veteran
soldiers. They marched to the church as
organizations and were given seats that had
been reserved for them. There were decora-
tons of flags and potted plants tastefully
arranged about the rostrum and large por-
trait of the late Governor Morton looked
down from the stand. The picture was re-
Gently painted in Dresden and is said to be
one Of the most satisfactory likenesses of
Governor Morton ever executed. The pic
ture is especially pleasing to Mrs. Morton
The music selected for the occasion was of
an appropriate character and at the close
the choir rendered hymn that had been es-
pecially prepared for the occasion. The
words paid high tribute to the memory OF
Governor Morton. Governor Mount was
present and occupied char on the rostrum
There was prayer and scriptural reading
by the pastor, Rev. T. J. Villers. prior to
the address, which was delivered by ohm
l.. Grifhths. The latter was introduced by
Department Commander Ryan, who in a
brief talk spoke of the services that Gov
ernor Morton rendered the State and of the
great love the soldiers have for his memory
on account of his efforts in their behalf.
Mr.. Griffiths then delivered the memorial
address as follows:
1t is only at rare intervals that man so
impresses his personality upon his genera
ton that the history of his life becomes
the record of the time in which he lived.
To do this he must crystalline its aspira-
lions into deeds, as the poet crystallizes its
enough to the average man to feel his
heart throb and catch his souls glow If
he be charlatan, a seeker after applause,
demagogue appealing. to the prejudices
and passions of the people, his sway will be
temporary. Nothing is detected quicker, or
punished surer, in one who aspires to lead
lessly stripped off and the real man dis
closed in all his poverty and nakedness and
shame Had Oliver P. Morton belonged to
this class his memory would not be cher
ished through the years as it has been
cherished since his death. 1t was because
he believed in something that the people
believed in him. Gladstone was not more
truly representative of the England, whose
destiny he so benefciently and wisely
pie of the North, who battled for the Ma
tons life through four years of the loftiest
self denial and of the most heroic personal
endeavor. The history of this State would
be vastly different, less inspiring and giori-
GUS If Morton's maSterful patriotism had
not dominated its policies. When others
ringing voice called the timid and the
doubling back to duty He infused courage
in the despairing and inspired all patriotic
men with the conviction that it was better
to die for principle than to live without
one.
Morton left his law office to become the
Lincoln abandoned his country practice to
become the chief executive of the Nation.
He soon found the credit of the
untarnished. He found the valor of
the Indiana soldier impugned/ by false
charges of cowardice at Buena Vista.
toned the courage of the men who had
indicated their heroism on a hundred
battle fields. They were ever found where
swered with their lives the slanderous
statement of Jefferson Davis in the Mexi-
can war that Indiana soldiers could not
he sent the Second Indiana to the rear and
replaced 1t with Southern regiment which
afterwards became the Sixth Mississippi.
mined to avenge it. He requested the Nor
ton Rifles, named in his honor. if ever the
opportunity offered to seize the flag of the
triumph. They made the promise. and
gloriously redeemed it. In the storm of
son they saw only one rebel flag and al
though they left many dead on the field
they captured the enemy's standard and
laid it at the Governors feet. When dis
loyal Legislature refused to make necessary
appropriations Morton borrowed the money
on his personal account. Amid all of the
anxtetieS and vicisSitudeS of war he paid
the closest attention to the needs of our
benevolent and penal institutions, and made
many valuable recommendations concern
ing higher education. His vigilance was
sleepless. Nothing escaped it's keen scru-
tiny. Surrounded by secret foes the special
object of hatred of all of the reasonable
organizations in the State, his life threat
ened, and his assassination attempted, he
went about his appointed tasks without
mast and without rest, paying no heed to
ing but the welfare of his State and the
glory of his country He met each emerg
ency as it arose with composure and dig
nifty, and with fine sense of fidelity to the
public interests. His administration is an
open book to be read of all men, and as
we read the heart still CLOVIS and the soul
exultS at the splendor of its achievements.
His mastery conduct of affairs an in
spiration, a bugle call to all lovers of their
country, to sustain the government at that
supreme crisis in our history. His marvel
Gus tact his infinite patience. his superb
poise, his unsullied patriotism, have won
for him place among the immortalS.
CARE OF THE SOLDIERS.
Morton raised troops so swiftly that some
one said if you wanted soldiers from Indiana
all you had to do was to take some blue
cloth and brass buttons throw them into
a hopper and put Morton at the crank and
they would come out a regiment. He ex-
hibited the same solicitude for the health and
comfort of the Indiana soldiers that a moth
er displays in the welfare of her first-born.
They were the objects of his constant care
and tenderness. He was omnipresent, visit
ing battlefields in person to ascertain if
everything was being done that thoughtful
ness and love could suggest; Fastening to
Washington to urge more vigorous prose-
cution of the war and to demand the re-
tirement of the ''incapables'' who seemed
TO prefer the security of the camp to the
excitement of the field; attending the con-
ferences IN Cincinnati New York and Chi
cago, wherever his services might be need
ed; repelling invasions in Kentucky and pre-
serving that State to the Union until it's
loyal citizens proudly spoke of him as their
Governor; holding the Knights of the
Golden Circle and the Sons of Liberty in
check and exhibiting perfect familiarity
with the minutest details of their organiza-
lions; and keeping in remembrance through
all OF his manifold labors the needs of the
humblest Indiana soldier. When the Con-
federate prisoners We're brought to Camp
Morton he pleaded through the Indianapolis
Journal for their kindly treatment. Many
Il was sick and he visited me; l was naked
and he clothed me, thirsty and he gave me
drink" He had a number of the sick taken
to private residences, built a bakery so that
those who were unwell might have fresh
bread instead of bareback, and actually
erected an oven to enable his Southern en-
emieS TO enjoy once more their own corn
pone. Unwilling that Indiana soldiers
should enter the service without proper
equipment, he established the arsenal to
furnish them with ammunition and soon
extended its operations until it became a
source of supply to the general government
His management OF this enterprise can
hardly be said to have been improvident or
extravaganza, although so charged at the
time when, in addition to all the good ac-
compshed, the sum of $4,000 was paid into
the treasury. Morton equipped and placed in
the field nearly 100000 men, frequently pre-
vailng upon those who had enlisted for a
short time to extend their term of service,
bade each regiment God speed" as it left