The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-27
THE MORTON STATUE.
Minister Harris Replies to Criticism
of the Memorial.
New York Times.

New York Times.
In a special dispatch to the New York
Times from Washington, d. c., dated Jan.
20. Niehaus's statue of the late Oliver p
Morton, recently unveiled in the old Hall Of
Representatives at the Capitol, was criti-
cised In terms which have led to a reply by
Addison c. Harris. United States minister
to Austria-Hungary, who acted as chair
man Of the commission appointed by Gov
ernor Mount, of Indiana, to provide the
statue.
1.-THE sculpture Of Niehaus," said the
Washington correspondent of the New
York Times. INTRODUCES the spectator to
man of more than average height, of very
distinguished presence. Of noble bearing,
good clothes. and not a little self-con-
sciousness This makes a very interesting
statue. but not a representation of Oliver
Z. Morton. AS he appeared at the
Cooper Institute during the war to make a
political speech, he was rather stoop-
shouldered somewhat careless about his
dress. with a shock of hair quite unlike the
trimmed suit shown in the statue. and with
a beard of quite different cut. An old Re-
publican and admirer of Morton ventured
the opinion that more faithful likeness Of
Morton. as most people knew him, would
have been produced by propping him up on
one crutch and by ironing the creases out
of his trousers"
The following is Mr.. Harris's letter:
To the Editor of the New York Times.
l was chairman of the committee ap-
pointed by Governor Mount to provide the
statue. AS a mere boy 1 knew Governor
Morton we'll He lived before the war in
Centerville. My fathers farm six
miles away. L often saw him in court and
on the street. Moreover, he spent his Sun
DAYS in the village of Washington, near
Green's Fork which adjoins fathers farm,
and where l often saw him. The first
speech / have any clear memory or was
made by him in the Methodist Church in
that village. He delivered ii from the pull
pit. He made a legal argument to show
that the bred Scott case was wrongly de-
cided. I was In Indianapolis as law stu
dent, and member of the bar from 1860. and
met him often In his office and on the
street. From this early and long acquaint-
ance l ought to have a fair picture In my
mind of his personality in his prime.
IL was the purpose of the commission TO
have statue of Governor Morton as he
was while Governor of our State. 1t was
in this period of his life that he showed
his sterling qualities. and it is as Governor
that he is best remembered and most re-
vered by the people of Indiana. While on
the commission we found his measure at a
tailor's. 1t was furnished 70 Mr.. Niehaus.
as were also photographs OF the period, and
the cast made OF his head and face after his
death. 1t was enormous in width. From
these data, largely his form was cast
In his prime he was almost six feet tall
every feature and movement. His walk was
strong, his gesture often with a clinched
fist, his voice deep, his manner earnest 70
a degree rarely surpassed. He was argu-
mentative and strictly logical in all his
speeches, at the bar and on the stump
alike. Such was the Governor Morton when
the model was finished l was in the art
lists studio and sent for his son. since dead
| TO come and see it. He stood long time
| then said: please turn IL slowly"
| AS IL was presented from different views
| he said:
That's father. That's father. tool Yes
| yes; that is father as he was in his
strength!
Acting on his Judgment and my own. we
| then accepted the model i have not seer
| the statue. Il had 10 be over life size In
height, as almost every other of the fifty OF
| more are larger than life; otherwise the Of
! feet would minimize Morton. AT the ban
| and while Governor Morton wore the
dress coat" Mrs Morton said he did not
| change until he went TO the Senate. AL his
| photographs show him so.
II would have been an insult 10 his mem
| DRY to have ''propped him up with a
crutch." as your article recommends As
well put General Grant on horseback with
| napkin around his throat as HIS illness
| forced on him at Mount McGregor. In per.
! son. rs well as in executive patriotism,
| feel the statue expresses Morton as he was
| IN the trying hours when his strength die
so much for the Union he loved so well.
am sorry OF the flippant criticism given Sc
wide currency by your widely read paper.
| 4. G. HARRIS,
legation of the United States, Vienna, Feb
4