The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-15

No breach of the ethics of the legal pro-
fession was ever charged against him. He
was modest In demeanor, never o1enSlVeiy
self-assertive. He was quick TO hear the
plaintive voice of want and to extend the
blessed hand of charity. His benefactions
were as numerous as they were unostenta-
tious.
"Our friend was the very soul Of chivalry
in life, and we may well believe he was
alike chivalric in death. He fell as heroes
die-at the post Of duty, in the high and
holy service of others. There Is no hitter
way TO die.
THE name of Nathan Morris has dropped
from the membership roll OF the bar, put
his gentle memory will long abide with his
professional brethren. To our friend We
pay this last tribue of our affection. With
swelling heart and trembling lip we say
last farewell"
HIS LAW PARTNER.
Louis Newberger, who for twenty-one
years was the business partner of Mr..
long association and of his many and great
friendships. In part he said:
81 can hardly realize that Nathan Morris
is dead. / know that his casket is now at
his sisters house, buried under an ava
lanche of flowers, but the full realization OF
my personal loss and the utter and uneno-
ing sense of loneliness has not yet come.
1t seems that L ought to read to him the
many tender expressions that have come
over the wires, through the mails and by
word of mouth.
Ito make a full and correct estimate of
the life and character OF Nathan Morris
at this hour is quite as impossible as was
opportunity for deliberate thought anorueu
him I'm the last awful moments of his life.
In his heroic death he supplied hitting
climax to the story of his life, for that Is
a narrative of unsefish and generous devo-
ton to the comfort and happiness of others:
1t adds UNNECESSARILY to the distress OF
those who were near enough TO MIN 70
know of the great happiness which the
he chn
he was not spared TO realize and under.
stand the full measure of this crownins act
of heroism.
81 turn as best I can from the tragedy
of his death TO the scenes and incidents or
twenty-one years of uninterrupted Dust
ness and personal association ana mus
to add this fragment to the endless chain
of testimony as to his high and manly
character and generous nature.
Whatever may have been his profess
sional success and attachments, or In wna =,
ever other respect he achieved success In
life, his highest claim to distinction rests
upon his broad and generous MANHOOD.
There was not the slightest trace or sell
fishness in his nature. He never sought TO
profit to the injury or disadvantage OF an
other. In his acts of generous giving ne
furnished conclusive proof that 1t Is pet
ter to give than to receive. He was a De-
slower OF presents rather than a giver OF
aims. His was the kind Of charity whlcn
lifts the one who receives to the level OF
him who gives. He recognized in the full-
those who were less successful, and he dis
charged that obligation with his whole
heart. 1t is this trait of his nature, ex-
emplified throughout his entire career. that
more than anything else places him upon
an eminence not easily attained.
He praeeSed law IN tine same arsonai dn and
business affairs-without creating any an
tagonisms or enemies.
HThe business association of Mr.. Morris
and myself, covering period OF over twen-
Vol
culiar. 1t was more of family AFFAIR
than a business association. Neither eXer-
of the other. L had such perfect confidence
In him that / would scarcely tolerate his
voluntary explanations OF matters carried
forward and concluded by him. In all of
the years of our association we never had
a settlement, a misunderstanding or dis
pute. The books of the firm have never
been balanced, but IL will not require the
services of an expert to declare result
which his perfect integrity vouchsafed in
every transaction in which he was con-
cerned.'
Nathan Morris is dead. but the recol-
lection of his manly virtues, his OPEN
hearted and generous nature and his mani
fold good deeds will not soon fade away.
In his death / have suffered a loss meal
culable irreparable and indescribable. At
this time / can scarcely see beyond the
charnel house in which he persisted and
and succor of others. At this time I am
unequal to the task of doing justice to his
manly qualities, but through this maze of
sorrow and distress there stands forth
clear and distinct
"a combination, and a form, indeed,
Where every god did seem to set his seal
To give the world assurance Of a man..
REMARKS OF OTHERS.
Charles Martindale said in part: HE
had broad tolerance of opinion. He was
Jew. Few men practice the doctrines Of
the greatest of all Jews more faithfully
than he. Easter was festival he delighted
to celebrate. On Saturday night one of the
last places he was seen was at the florist s
preparing the beautiful floral offerings he
delighted in giving. Easter dawned. The
feast of the resurrection. AS the stone was
rolled away from the sepulcher and the
risen Christ was released for His transfs-
uration, so the spirit Of our friend slipped
from its bondage of clay and passed into
immortality"
John w. Kern, who had known Mr.. Nor
ris for over thirty years, said: "He was an
interesting boy, working morning and even
ing for his father. L came TO know Nathan
Morris well; of his struggles through adj
versity: understanding how single-handed
and alone he was lighting the good fight.
He had lived only forty-sx years, yet who
He began at the very bottom of the lad
der. At the beginning he had no influential
fr1enoS upon %nOm TO lean. he SO walked
before this community during all these
years as to compel respect and commend
admiration. And this modest gentleman,
who never saw a battle never dreamed of
conflicts, whose life was without conten-
ton, died the death of hero"
A. G. Smith said that Mr.. Morris began
in poverty, but by his kind and gentle
manner, by his firm and modest course in
private and professional life, he climbed
the hill and crowned himself with spien-
did career and a magnificent individuality
John l.. Griffiths, after telling of the life
of Mr.. Morris. said: 1T is only reserved
| to few TO die while serving those we
love- while serving others"
John r. Wilson said in paying his tribute
to Mr.. Morris: I'VE do not love men for
| their intellects, but for their hearts. Ma
| than Morris was loved by his friends
John s. Duncan said: He was money
| maker, but the only use he had for money
was that IL enabled him to give or spend
I 1t for the benefit of others. He was
| prodigal in his generosity and he was SO
| modest and unassuming about II ALL
Lew Wallace, jr.. and others also made
| short talks.