They were ugly, defiant and full of a dangerous
activity. Few other men could have dealt with them with the
vigor and success of Governor Morton. The State at its elections
was divided into two hostile camps. If they did not resort
to the weapons of war, they were filled with a hatred and
bitterness which does not commonly possess military opponents.
Gov. Morton, in spite of the great physical infirmity which
came upon him before the War ended, held the State in its
place in the Union with an iron hand. When he came to the
Senate he found there no more powerful, brave or unyielding
defender of liberty. He had little regard for Constitutional
scruples. I do not think it should be said that he would
willingly violate his oath to support the Constitution. But
he believed that the Constitution should be interpreted in
the light of the Declaration of Independence, so as to be
the law of life to a great, powerful and free people. To this
principle of interpretation, all strict or narrow criticism,
founded on its literal meaning, must yield.
His public life was devoted to two supreme objects:
1.
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