The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-08-09

was chosen to be United States sena-
Tor. Morton became the chief execu-
G OF the state. He al once appealed
} the citizens TO Danish all personal
I'd party ties and TO come to the de-
snse of the Union. lie foresaw war
Eich many vainly hoped could be
verified, and commenced to prepare for
{. The state was in pitiable con-
;tiou financially and was torn up by
he disclosure of prison and swamp
and frauds. AS TO the military con-
htion, it too. was threatened by a
democratic bolt toward secession. In
he hands of any other man in whom
he people had less trGst or affection
The state might easily have swung
10 the side of the secessionists. That
this would have ben fatal is sure. be-
cause it would not only have taken
Kentucky with it, but II would have
formed a wedge between the east
and the west which would have too
much to overcome. Morton saved the
state to the north and by doing so he
weak and wavering man the democrats
or "copperheads" could have thwarted
every move of the federal government
Morton urged Lincoln to use vigor-
Gus measures and at the call for TO-
600 men he was ready with 10000
which he urged the government to
take. 1t, however took orly half
Morton was here there and everywhere
inspiring enthusiasm and aiding in
the recruiting. His activity and his
we'll laid plans were models for any
military leader. Especially was this
true in the way he handled men. He
simply radiatcd life. enthusiasm, ener-
gy and magnetism. And not only cid
he concern his mind with the organ
comfort and arms. So complete was
his work that cfter the battle of Bull
Run he was able to offer to the gov
eminent ten full regiments.
Things in Kentucky row took on a
most serious turn. 1t was in practical
ly the same condition that prevail,
ed in Indiana before Morton came to
the helm, but with the startling turn
| that the governor (Magoffin) was not
| only strong secessionist but was en-
Geavoring to turn the state into the
| hands of the southcrners. We have
already pointed out how serious such
a thing could have been. 1t was only
| the prompt action of Indiana, Illinois
and Ohio in their readiness to seize
| the state for the north and Morton's
| troops which held the state neutral UNI
| til the federal troops took Columbus
and saved the state.
Kentucky saved, Morton busted
himself with efforts to make his sold
iers comfortable. His praiseworthy
efforts in this cause, in the increase OF
their pay and in the relief of the fam
lilies of soldiers earned for him the
name OF The Soldiers Friend" AL
this time Morton started the "Indiar
Sanitary Commission" which wa:
composed of the women of Indiana
This organization prepared bandage.
and all manner of comforts for the re
lief of the soldiers. Morton's interes
in the troops is shown by his visit tc
the battlefield at Shiloh and his eff
forts were so great and his deeds Sc
kind that he was hailed with delight
and enthusiasm by the men ever aft
erward.
A Great Commander.
! We have intimated that in strategy
and organization Morton had much In
common with a great commander
There is no doubt that the fondest de
sire of his life was to engage in com
bat. His was essentially fighting ma
ture It was only natural then, tha
Morton should have sought a com
mand. But this was not to be, fo
Morton's services were far more val
liable at home than they could posi-
bly, have been in the field. The neces
sity at home is strikingly shown in thu
enormous obstacles that he later haI
to overcome. There was no money Il
be had. The legislature refused t.
allow any appropriations. The sold
iers were not paid. What was to b.
done? In a similar crisis many maj
would have given up. But not Nor
ton. He went out and raised the mon
ey in his own name on his own person
al credit, until the government cam
to his aid.
Moreover InPTe was a movement II
the North known as the NORTHWEST
ern Confederacy' which PROMISE
trouble. Morton was called into con
ference by the administration and tn
scare was averted. Morton's enemie
then attacked his financial polio
charging him with fraud and dfscreI
ancy Inspection of the accounts wa
invited. but not a penny was found Z
have been diverted (although MortoI
had to shoulder for a time mistak
of the auditor). ValIandingham, in tn
neighboring state of Ohio was stirrin
up dissention among the people. MOI
gan with his Southern horsemen wa
raiding and pillaging. II is SINAI
wonder that Morton had to stay a
home But he was equal to all emei
gencies.
In 1864 Morton was reelected go'
ernor after strenuous campaign
Indeed frauds were attributed to bot
parties so great was the rivalry an
so much did the victory mean Mo-
tons strategy came into good play b
bringing back the soldiers TO vot'
The country was saved again.
Southern Indiana was a hotbed {
the secessionists and the Cope
-