The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-25
Senator Fairbanks's Address.

Following is the text of Senator Fair
banks's speech:
Mr.. President-The Senate Of the United
States pauses in the consideration OF the
important routine business OF the country
TO accept tribute from the State OF In
diana-a statue Of Oliver Perry Morton.
That statue is TO stand in yonder venerable
Hall of Representatives, now tenantec by
the mute images of the chiefest jewels or
the Republic. Assembled there are the
marble figures Of eminent and renowned
citizens, soldiers and statesmen, whose lu-
minous deeds are a part OF the familiar
history OF the country. In good time repre-
sentatives of each Of the sisterhood OF
States of the Union will be gathered there.
and the number will equal the mem mbership
roll of the United States Senate. Parties
may come and go. administrations may rise
and fall. but no change will occur IN the
members who join the select assembly In
that exalted and historic hall
The State of Indiana has ample roll
Of distinguished statesmen who have served
her well; of soldiers who won imperishable
renown upon the battlefelds Of their coun-
try: of those who have attained high place
in the world of letters and have achieved
eminence in other avenues OF honorable dis
tinction, but, without invidious discrimina-
ton, she makes her present and first, con-
tribution 10 Statuary Hail.
Oliver Perry Morton was one of the COM
manding figures OF the United States dur
ing the most heroic period of her history.
He impressed himself upon his state and
Nation. by the force of his commanding
genius, and the history OF neither State nor
Nation would be complete without the
story of his life and work. He was born I'm
the village of Salisbury, Wayne county In
diana, on the 9Th day OF August, lhlS. His
parents were natives OF New Jersey. and or
English ancestry. His father, James $
Throck Morton, was a man or worth and or
more than ordinary force OF character and
intelligence. His admiration or military
heroism led him TO name his son Oliver
| ID ar1
ton is the original family name. 10 which .
number of the descendants stu adhere
When prepared 10 enter upon the practice
of law the son was persuaded that so many
baptismal names might impede his progress
at the bar, so he subscribed himself and
was thenceforth known as Oliver p Nor
ton. His mother died shortly after his
birth. and he was committed TO the care
of relatives. who bequeathed 20 him their
small patrimony, which was OF great as
sistance TO him In obtaining an education.
His training was tempered with indul-
gence, but he repaid care with afectionate
devotion He was a precocious youth. and
was inspired to personal ambition BY his
exceptionally fortunate surroundings.
WAYNE CoUNTY's PEOPLE.
The people OF Wayne county. amor,
whom Morton was born and reared, we
and always have been Characterised by7a
high order of intelligence. They have been
a Christian people. exalting law and order
and holding religion and knowledge as the
chief instruments In the advancement Of
civilization. They have been intensely pa
triotic and liberty loving The Institution
or human slavery was repugnant 10 them
and they were strongly anti-slavery prior
TO the civil war. The underground rail-
road had many stations in that portion OF
the State where countless colored refugees
found succor and asylum IN their search
for liberty.
The story OF Norton's youth Is familiar
TO those who have lived midst pioneer sar-
roundings. IL was the otcry Of many Of
those who have achieved the disadventay