The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-07-25
The Morton Statue.

The unwilling of the Morton mon-
ument marks new expression OF
Indiana's gratitude TO the men who
fought the war for the Union to
successful conclusion For while
Morton was not a soldier his services
to the state and nation were essen
TALLY military The act OF 1905 pro-
viding for the monument unveiled
Tuesday recites that no man IN civil
life except Abraham Lincoln, ten
dered as great service to the country
as Oliver Z. Morton 1t also recalls
that the State of Indiana has never
erected a monument or any other
suitable memorial within the borders
OF the stale to- perpetuate his name
and memory" This fact and the me-
mortal on the subject from the lndi-
ana c. ~ r. led the Legislature to
provide for the present monument
Some have thought that the Nor
ton statue in the Circle was erected
by the State. That is not the case.
That monument was erected by Nor
toms personal and political friends.
The present monument is the only
memorial of any kind erected to its
great war Governor, and it has the
unique distinction of being the only
one of the kind erected by any State.
The people of Indiana never have
forgotten Governor Morton and we
trust they never will Morton was
percisely the type OF man needed in
the civil war era in Indiana. His
courage and zeal, his patriotism, his
never-failing faith, his extraordinary
executive ability and his supreme de-
votion to the work that was laid OF
him. all combined to make one of the
greatest men that the country pro-
duced during the great struggle.
The record of Indiana, and it was
brilliant. during those times was
largely his record His enthusiasm
inspired the people, and they re-
sponded nobly to every call made on
them. No State in the Union sent
so many men to the war in proper
ton to population as did Indiana.
There seemed to be no limit to- the
ability or willingness of the people
to contribute men and means to the
support of the Government. In ex-
alting the leader we would not de-
tract in any way from the record
made by the people But leadership
is worth much. Men are inspired by
it when it is what it should be. With
"a weak, timid or inefficient man 'at
the head OF the State government in
1861 Indiana would not have made
the showing that she did make. But
the people had confidence i'll their
Governor, and it did not take the
soldiers long 10 learn that he was
their friend, ever jealous for their
welfare. The bravest men Can not
fight we'll under commander whom
they distrust They will do their
best, and make every effort to sup
plement his Deficiencies. Blu. they
can not help beng affected by the
pressing influence resulting from
their lack of confidence in the man
who is their leader.
The people of Indiana were sub
jected TO no such distressing exper-
fence Ready TO do their utmost, they
were inspired to highest endeavor by
the knowledge that the man in COM
mand was worthy to lead. And he
did lead No responsibility was too
great for him TO assume, no burden
too heavy for him to carry. He gave
himself. body and soul, to the prose-
cution OF his gigantic task and had
but one object in life-to save the
Union from disruption. All the diff
culties that beset him he overcame,
and won for himself a national fame
as one of the great war Governors
Indiana thinks the greatest of them
and permanent place in the affec-
tons of the people of this State. He
stands first on our roll of honor. We
have had many able and worthy pub
| lie servant but none that can con-
test Morton's prominence. 1t is
sometimes said that great men al
ways come when they are needed:
| that they are born ont of the crisis.
| Whether this be true or not, it GER
tainly is true that the need felt forty
and more years ago was entirely
met when Morton appeared on the
scene
We do we'll to cherish his fame.
but we shall do better if we emulate
him in devtion to duty and entire alb
sorption in the service of country.
He lived in stormy times, and played
his part on conspicuous stage. But
even in peace there are battles TO be
fought and enemies to be conquered.
| And ever man, no matter how OBJ
scurc his station. can show the same
faithfulness and courage, and the
same love of country that marked the
life of the great war Governor.--In-
dianapolis News.
| Old Editor Retires.