The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-10-28
MORTON.S EULOGY..
{ contlnasa ron PAGE ons.l

ttoni and thus-dtd his clear discern
A.eht OF duty lend impressiveness- to
ms e!torts towards the highest useful
ness IN public office. 1t was, however,
ms Keen intelligence and his worldly
WISDOM that taught him that an efIec-
tive equipment for the best public
service needed a. large admixture of
slerner stuff and there was never
servant OF the people who, in their
cause met MISREPRESENTATION and I'M
Just accusation with more fortitude,
or saw the submergence Of friendly
relations with more resignation, or
dealt harder blows TO dishonesty and
wrong, whether lurking with friends
As a Pioneer.
AS pioneer among the settlers
OF the great west, he espoused with
anectionate zeal every movement or
interest that promised its development
and prosperity; but even this he did
with. such strict subordination to the
commands of conscience, and with
such courageous reliance upon the
strength that comes Of clear convic-
uon, that in advocating his beliefs
on economic and financial topics, he
uld not hesitate to attack the opinions
and preJudices of those with whom
he had made his home. There was
no bitterness of heart in all this; but
there was the positive, rugged earnest
ness of strong, determined man,
NA-~0 SSt'~(AAb ~ Il ISL TIME anu SODCA
second thought for his vindication
our friend loved nature with constancy
ana delight; and through nature he was
led to q reverent love Of the Maker of
the universe He served the purposes of
Coo on earth and taught his fellow
countrymen to realize their relationship to
nature and the Father of all created
things, when he established the planting
of trees as a custom of general observance
among our people. This work was done
without trumpeting the praise Of the man
VINO founded Arbor day. and without per-
vsrtng its beneficent design to the ex-
ploitation of his fame. It was done mod
estly and quietly-in keeping with the dis
position of its promoter and his estimate
or reasonable service. No beautiful crest
or elaborate coat of arms would so we'll
illustrate his grand simplicity or typify
the spirit in which this project had its
rise ana completion. as its symboiizanlon
by a growing tree surrounding the home
" legend: Plant trees
Monument Tells Only q Part.
Though the erection of this monument
may have had its beginning in the loving
appreciation of Arbor day. we cannot es-
cape the feeling that it would tell but lit
tie Of the story of the life and career of
the founder Of that day If there were not
imperishablE inscribed, upon it the words;
Pioneer statesman, scholar as well as
Tree planter. And even with all that has
been here butlded and inscribed, those who
knew him best and loved him most can
not see in this dun, cold effigy any pre-
sentiment Of the tenderness and uneeas-
ing duGCJOH OF TIE IalueE anu DEOLuGfs
and the cheerfulness and mirth which in
his hours of relaxation he brought to his
home and fireside, nor the Open-hearted-
ness and conta gious good humor which he
gave to intimate companionship. The
monument that recalls these features of
his heart and soul IS built on the hallOwed
ground of memory
and vet none Of us should go from this
place untouched by the lesson which this
statue teaches. Here we should learn
that character, interrupted by the con-
by the coprosion of sordidness and money
madness, is the cornerstone of every truly
useful life; and of every genuinely noble
achievement We shall do violence to the
to humanity If amid the surrounding we
close our minds to the truth, that charac-
ter represents the real value of a man
according to the una3terable standard of
fine gold; and that it differs linn easur-
ably from reputation which measures
mans worth by the shifting and untrue
standards of mean ambition or successful
cupidity. We have fallen upon days when
our people are more than ever turning
away from their old faith in the saving
grace of character and hooking TO the
worship of money-malSing idols. Daily
and hourly in the light of investigation
and exposure, characterless lives are seen
in appalling numbers without chart or
compass crowded upon the rocks and
shoals of faithlessnesS and breach of
trust How I'll have these wrecked lives
exchanged the safe course and the harbor
of honor and usefulness which character
and rectitude point out. for wild and
headiong rush over unknown seas IN a
consuming search for pelf.
He Earned Gratful Remembrance.
If our people ever return again to their
trust in character as a steadying force In
our restless enterprise and immense ma
feriaI growth, it will be when they take
to heart the full significance OF SUCH a
conmen1oration as this. We memorabilia
I man who not only earned the lasting
honor of his countrymen, but whose me
in all things worthy of high enQeaVor, was
abundantly successful AS a pioneer ne
I labored to improve the new country OF
his home, he lived to see it blossom as
The rose; as scholar he cultivated his
own metal powers and acquired knOWl-
edge in order that he might be able to
! instruct and benefit others. as a states
man he left the impress of high aspira-
I ton upon our citizenship. and of useful
ness and fidelity upon our public life; and
/ as the father of tree-planting he banned
/ the grateful remembrance of the old and
| young of the present generation ana that
I Of generations yet unborn All these
things he wrought out through the power
of a strong. wholesome, patriotic anC
beautiful character.
Let those OF us who We're MS LeHON
citizens and knew his life, heed his ex
ample to the end that our work may bt
| more unselfish and more loyal to the pur-
/ pose Of God and the betterment OF oui
I fellow man. Let his sons, in whom was
ceutered all his worldly prlde, retn lsIl;os
! that the only success that is satisfying
( and honorable is that achieved IN then
/ fathers spirit and high resolve.
It is fitting that this monument should
/ recall memories that must NOT o lie. A =
| well that it should arouse the living 70
/ noble endeayor But to the dead it avails
4 nothing. He has reared his own monu-
/ ment ''nlore durable than brass or stone
Weekly Bank Statement.
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