The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-02

to unity in vigorous opposition to the
spread of slavery. in opposition TO seces-
sion, either Deaceable or forcible. ana lot
the enforcement of the Law OF the Na'or ne
deprecated war, but war was preierapie
to disunion and disintegration. When
others were silent and willing to let Things
drift or spoke of Cancellation by permitting
errlng States to go in peace. ne slood
boldly and unc~ompromisingly Tor natlohal
unity, and he did not stagger at the dread,
ful word coercion or the threat OF civil
war. BY his lofty appeals TO PATRIOTISM
by his bold and indisputable
not less than by his force of character ana
tremendous personality, he brought MS
party and the great bocy of the loyal men
of the State to a bold stand for the unity
OF the Nation. When that shot was fred
at Sumter, indian wheeled grandly mlO
line. and Morton was her war Governor
The second period covered the Tour
dreadful years OF the civil war, ana the
battles at the front were scarcely more
mOInentous than was the struggle at nome
in Indiana. Time does not permit, nor
would it be profitable, TO recall those tragic
years. Indiana was a border State. A
large class of its people was closely allleu
by lineage, blood, business and sympathy
with the South. Party feeling was peril
ously high. and the sting of political de-
feat was recent and acute. If you would
refresh your memories OF those days In
this good State. of the strife and bitterness
existing. the fierce struggles for supremacy,
go TO the written record. In those four
years in Indiana Morton was the dominant
figure. How interchangeable were his labors,
how indomitable his resolution, how high
and unyielding his courage. how prompt
and decisive his methods, how complete
his success, Is written.
Arbitrary sometimes? Yes. stretching
executive prerogative now and then? Yes;
but necessary and warranted by occasion.
1t was George w. Julian who once caustl-
cally said. When the history or INDIANA
shall be written it might fifty contain a
chapter entitled, The Reign of Oliver +.
Morton
STRIKING PERSONALITY.
"Of striking figure, splendid of stature
magnificent presence. lionlike in bearing,
courage and directness, he was so mar
velous in political intuition, so masterful In
leadership, so resistless in courage and con-
%viction, so strong and persuasive in argu-
ment that while yet a young man the white
haired leaders of his party, notable men in
Indiana history, sat mute and intranced in
his presence and without envy or struggle
yielded TO him pre-eminence and leadership.
His will had the force of law in both civil
and military affairs. He controlled by sheer
force of intellect and will and because the
people had confidence in him. And he never
betrayed their confidence. So to the last his
leadership was unchallenged. As Indiana
war Governor he sent into the field 10000
men, he cared for them as the troops or
no other State were cared for, and the
glory OF InelT achievement IN the Delu re-
fiected upon the State was supplemented
by the triumph of his magnificent leadership
at home. To the soldiers Morton was more
han a friend. He was a father and a
comrade and they believed that had his
fortune been cast with them in the field he
would have won as a soldier even greater
honor and fame than he did at home.
He carried in mind the location, itinerary,
the service, strength, condition and capa-
bilities of every Indiana regiment. Watched
the career and bearing of each, was proud
81 q . rAnnn1 nn1 fn Dnnonn or hNr hfo q UanfG
was often in its camp in the field. He
spoke a parting word to each regiment as il
departed for the front and welcomed the
returning regiments with words Of cheer
and pride. He was infinitely proud of the
boys from Indiana and could not find words
strong enough TO characterize the renown
their valor and splendid lighting qualities
had reflected upon the State and the Nation.
And the boys were proud of their Governor
and repaid him with a devotion and conf
dence as genuine and complete as that re-
posed in their great leaders in the field.
The third period covered his work in the
United States Senate during the stormy
reconstruction period. In all the debates
and Legislation that settled the relations of
the reconstructed States he took a prOmi-
nent part. He entered the Senate in the
maturity of his power. He sprang at once
into leadership. There were giants in that
great body in those stormy years of recon-
struction, notably, Conklin, Sumner. Car
penter, Shurz, Trumbull, Hendricks and
others, In all the great debates that fol-
lowed he measured swords, at times, with
all these eminent senators and was never
worsted. A pronounced and aggressive par
tisan, he believed in government by party
and he fought the battles of his party
against all Corners. The gauntlet was never
thrown down that he did not instantly take
II up.
CHAMPIONED GRANT.
He was the right hand of President
Grant and his champion on the floor of the
Senate, and some of his greatest and most
~-&o.kc 90 fhn Anor 90 fho Gan
ate were with Sumner and Shurz touching
policies upon which they differed radically
with the President. Perhaps more than any
other man he was influential in shaping the
legislation Of that period, so important in
1.-The life of Oliver p. Morton was a stren-
uous one, crowded with action, conflict,
storm. To him life was a tremendous real
ity. Great occasions followed in rapid sue
cession and emergencies that tried men
souls trod swiftly upon each other. The
drama in which he played SO leading a part
was one of the greatest of human history,
and he knew his part and played 1t with
mastery ability, as if born to it.
"At no period of his life was he a trifer
or a visionary. He apparently had no play
days. no periods Of relaxation. When oil
yer p. Morton died he died of wounds re-
ceived In the service as truly as did the
battlefields. He yielded up a life worn out
to preserve the Nation undivided and indi-
visible.
would you know more of this man: this
great son of Indiana; of what he did; what
Indiana owes to him: what the Nation owes
to him: read that fair and mastery biog-
raphy of his life by William Dudley Foulke
and you will rise from its reading shame
perhaps, that you have known so little OF
him and marveling that we so little honor
him, and above all, asking why a more
stately, significant and worthy monument
to his memory does not adorr
our State Capitol 10 testify our peoples
gratitude and appreciation"
Secretary of State Storms said, in his
talk. that Morton ranked as one of the
great men Of the country and in his time
was a force in the shaping of the country
He had an abiding faith in the right of tn,
North, said Mr.. Storms, and he threw hi:
whole character into the struggle to bring
about its success. His acts at that time
tell more than anything else about the
character of the man.
Governor Durbin and Admiral Brown wer,
present at the service and occupied position:
upon the platform.
N HnHRuu nm N