Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-23
THE LATE J. STERLING MORTON.
Tribute of a Former Editor of the
Omaha Herald.

Edward L. Merritt of Springfield, ILL.,.
editor and manager OF the Omaha Herald
In ~18sS-S9, pays the following tribute to the
memory Of j. Sterling Morton, in the
Illinois State Register, Springfield: Hav-
ing had the good privilege Of a somewhat
intimate acquaintance with the late ]. Ster-
ling Morton of Nebraska, l trust that I
may be permitted to add my sincere and
humble tribute to his great worth as a
man and a citizen through the columns of
the State Register.
Governor Morton was an American citi-
zen Of the highest patriotic type. AS such
he was ALWAYS true and fearless. No man
understood the PRINCIPLES OF American gov
eminent and citizenship better than he.
He was particularly broad in all that per-
tains to good government for the best uses
of all the people. During his strenuous
life he did more for the upbuilding Of the
people of the great west and more es-
Deciallv for the state Of Nebraska than
anv other man. His hand was always
against shams.
Rev. DR.. j. G., X. Mcclure, speaking OF
Governor Morton at the services Of his
funeral. better said than ] can write, that:
"The public has claimed Mr.. Morton as
Its own. The claim is we'll ounded. The
city III WHICH ne Ttblueu, Tie oLhIc WHICH
he loved and the nation which has re-
ceived such distinguished service from him
may rightly claim him as their own. He
was every mans man-not alone In this
country, but in the whole wide world.
1.-THE lines Of his example have gone to
all the earth. Editors and thinkers have
had his death in their thoughts. Teachers
and pupils have fastened their attention
upon his usefulness. Farmers and bank
ers. operators Of railways, mechanics in
factories and clerks in stores-all have
read with approval the story Of his efforts
for human good.
TT more intelligent and the more
thoughtful the public the higher the es-
innate placed by 1t upon the life work
Of Mr.. Morton. We cannot deny him to
the great outside worlI. He was a large.
effective force in the world Of events and
affairs. He thought, spoke, wrote and
gave to It. The vision OF his ambition was
not limited by his immediate environment
either in place or time"
Much has been said truly as to the great
worth OF Governor Morton as a public man
and a valuable citizen; worthy Of all the
eulogies that have been written or spoken
by those familiar with his career. But,
knowing him as I did in most friendly per-
| bOudl I6ldllOucI " ue III pulO II bSaubi
full private life was where the splendid
character OF the man shone the brightest.
His home was an ideal home. Its very
atmosphere was filled with the fragrance
of his pure, brave and affectionate life. 1t
has been truly said that he who causes two
blades OF grass to grow where but one
grew before is a benefactor to mankind.
How great a public benefactor. therefore,
was ]. Sterling Morton, who amid his home
life raised to noble manhood and contributed
to the world four sons OF sterling integrity
and intelligent business capacity? Three
Of these survive and are we'll and favorably
known to the business world as men Of vast
energy, sound judgment, thorough integrity
and splendid mental ~endowments. They are
living monuments to the goodness and
greatness of the father whom they mourn
and whose example In public and private
is an incentive to right living to all who
knew him..