New-York tribune., 1905-07-31
STATESM4N INDICATED.
The Portrait of Senator Lot Morrill,
Corrected By a Friend.
TO the Editor of The Tribune.

Sir; To many Of your readers who remember the
grand old Roman, Lot NJ Morrill, OF Maine, and mis-
services Governor as one OF the leaders OF the
United States Senate and as Secretary OF the
Treasury, it will strange that his character
could now be aspersed by any one and TO them.
undoubtedly, any defence may appear superhUOus
To the busy millions of a totally new generation
however, he Is but name, and thousands OF them
who have read a certain recently published his
torical novel; will probably attach TO that name
deep and damning dscredit by reason Of the man
in which Senator morrill, is made TO figure in
its pages In the of historic truth and OF
solace in degree TO the grievously wounded
feelings Of his living daughters, as one who knew
him intimately and loved him well. Deg the privi-
lege of space in your columns 10 set this matter
right.
In Chapter VII of The Clansman.' pages I42-1l5
inclusive the author, Thomas Dixon, ir-. thus de-
scribes scene purported to have taken place be-
tween Stoneman, presumably Thaddeus Stevens
and Senator Morrill,. OF Maine relating TO the
vote on the expulsion OF Mr.. Stockton. OF New
Jersey, from the United States Senate:
Stonenlan pushed his way among the mob which
surrounded the badgered Puritan as he attempted
10 retreat into the clOakroom- viii you vote?" he
faItered TO hell with your conscience. Go back
your seat, ask the clerk to call your name and
party tonight and brand you as a sniveiling cow
ard. a copperhead, renegade and a traitor"
The member from New-Engiand sat pale and
trembling; in his soul the anguish of the mortal
heritage OF centuries and the order of his "a ptan
When the clerk of the Senate called his name still
OF death about his lips while the clerk at a signal
from the Chair, paused And then a scene. the Ike
of which known in American history.
August Senators crowded around MS desk begging.
sn0gng PoTns nm sos ahd a2 G that o fGo% %
above all rang the voice Of Charles Sumner. lead
ing the wild chorus. crying. Vote. vote. voter'
The extreme iruprobability OF a Representatives
daring 10 come into the Senate and address a Sen
stor in the manner and with the words which the
writer describes "Stouenan'' as using TO Senator
Morrill, stamps this scene manifestly fictitious
But the author goes further and depicts the
Senator from Maine as false 10 his word OF honor
cringfng and trembling before his associates and
al last throwing his honor to the winds. In ''Ths
Congressional Globe" OF 1866 66 Senator Stockton
OF New-Jersey. says. relative TO Senator Nor
rills in breaking his pair with Senator Wright
OF New-Jersey: 7 have always had ever since
have been a member OF this body the highest
respect for the Senator nom Maine and 1 desire
70 say now 70 the Senate thar. while I desire TO
characterize the act in the strongest terms that
parliamentary language will permit use. I am
perfectly convinced that Senator morrill, meant 10
do nothing but what was honorable and right"
Senator William Pitt Fessenden. OF Maine. said:
II think he was perfectly right Senator sum
ner. OF Massachusetts said II think Mr. Morrill,
acted fairly and honorabIy with Mr. Wright.
kindly. TOO. and gently. as became the mild and
gentle nature which all know Mr. Morrill, has %
Senator Stockton then said: Il say that the mis-
take those gentlemen made is that they did NOT
give Mr.. Wright time. although entirely agree
with them in reference 10 the Senator from Maine
and have felt bound state"
on March two OF Senator Morrilrs daughter
Mrs. Dunn and Mrs. Hamliu-wrote 70 the author
of The Cansman- respectfully calling his atten-
ton 10 the official records. cited by them in ex-
tense. made particular reference 70 Senator Stock
tons own manly tribute 70 Senator Morrills char
aCter. and requested him 70 inform them AZ his
early convenience what steps he might purpose
taking 70 undo, far as possible the great wrong
which he had done C'doubtIess' said they solely
by reason Of misinformation imposed upon you
ny others'D 20 the memory Of the dead and
derest susceptibilities Of the living To this letter
Mr. Dixon replied March Is. In which
certainly reflect high credit upon his character as
a gentleman. whatever may be thought OF the
depth and persistency of his partisan prsiudHces
He said.
Permit me 20 express my great sorrow that the
scene 10 which YOU refer in The Clansman has
wounded your feelings. Nothing could have been
further from my wish. II did not occur 20
when I this scene that IL an attack
on Senator Morrill, MY feeling was and -
that he was one Of the few in his party IA
that hour Of insane and savage passions who