Having resigned the place I now occupy, my official connection with you will soon cease; I can therefore have no interest, no wish and no inclination to enter into any local agitation. But upon the other hand, I wish in some degree to contribute to the advancement and improvement of the Territory. I shall recur with pleasure to the many kindnesses of the people of the Territory towards me, and carry with me the recollection that I have endeavored faithfully to promote the public welfare. In conclusion permit me, to urge you, gentlemen, to discard all local feelings, all jealousies, and unite where interests are the same and where opinions cannot be divided, in passing laws so necessary for the interests of those you represent. I hope peace, concord, and harmony may characterize your deliberations; and that you may so discharge your duties as to merit and receive the approval of your constituents after your labors shall have been completed. The following report' is a flattering testimonial of appreciation and esteem: Your committee to whom was referred so much of the governor's message as relates to the resignation of his office, beg leave to respectfully report: Governor Richardson arrived in Nebraska on the 10th day of January last, in the midst of the most violent contest this Territory ever witnessed. He came here under an appointment of the general government, most fit to be made. He had stood up in the Congress of the United States, one of the foremost champions of that principle which asserts and vindicates the ability of the American citizen, whether a resident of the older or newer settlement of the country, to govern himself. The champion, the eloquent, powerful champion of natural rights of the people of Nebraska, most fit was it that he should be set over them as their governor. He came welcomed by the warmest enthusiasm of the people of the Territory. They felt, as they had abundant reason to feel, most grateful that a man of his reputation, which was national; of his abilities, which, in the then present exigencies of public affairs, were needed for the public good; of his connection, so intimate and so honorable, with their first history, should be sent among them. Open arms, warm hearts, welcomed him to this Territory. He has served us for nearly a year; all his wisdom, all his best efforts, have been ours; no personal feeling, ambition or pride, have ever swayed him. Patriotism, a Council Journal, 5th session, 214: made by W. E. Moore, Nov. 1, 1858. generous regard for the highest public good, have The governor's exposé of the territorial banks was amply sus tained by a minority report of a committee, recommending the repeal of four of their charters, while the majority suggested the repeal of all, unless their cases were to receive the attention of the courts. ACTING-GOVERNOR HON. J. STERLING MORTON. Dec. 5, 1858 to May 2, 1859, and Feb. 24 to May 15, 1861. Hon. J. Sterling Morton1 came to Bellevue, Nebraska Territory, November 10, 1854, and on April 12, 1855, removed to Nebraska City, where he established his permanent home. By the appointment of President Buchanan he became secretary of the Territory July 12, 1858; which office he held until succeeded by A. S. Paddock, under the administration of Abraham Lincoln. At the date of his arrival, he was only twentytwo years of age, having been born in 1832. No young man ever came to the territory better prepared for a useful and honorable career. Having enjoyed the advantages of Michigan University, and having received his final diploma from Union. College, New York, and being endowed with a fine command of language, with the fancy of a picturesque writer, and the aggressive style of the ready debater and orator, journalism and politics offered inducements in the line of his capabilities and taste. But these acquisitions and natural endowments were fortified, directed, and restrained by sound morals, high sense of honor and that chivalric bearing that charms society and makes home happy. As a writer on the Detroit Free Press and Chicago Times, his contributions were highly prized, while before his appointment as Secretary, he was editor of the Nebraska City News, and in 1855 elected to the legislature. During the session he attempted to stem the tide of wild-cat banking, which resulted in his defeat in the election of 1856. This was a source of regret on the part of many new made friends; but the Board of Regents, members of the faculty, and many students of the Michigan University, could have said, "I told you so"; for I re 1 Abner Morton emigrated from St. Albans, Vt., to Jefferson County, N. Y., about 1816. His son, Joseph D. Morton, emigrated from N. Y. to Michigan in 1834. Julius Sterling Morton, son of Joseph D., was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., April 22, 1832. member how the boy stood by an excommunicated professor in the college, denounced all in authority, and chose expulsion rather than sacrifice a single conviction. In 1857 he was again elected to the legislature and saw at once in exploded banks and a defrauded people, evidence of the wisdom of his unrelenting opposition to the issue of an inflated, irredeemable paper currency of 1855. In 1860 he was democratic candidate for delegate to Congress against Samuel G. Daily, republican, and inasmuch as the Buchanan administration with which he was connected, stood charged with being the hot bed of treason, and his party the home of traitors, in the hour of national peril no explanation or protestation could prevail. Even Douglas democrats who approved Mr. Lincoln's war policy, could not receive absolution, unless the name of democrat was discarded for that of republican. But after the storm passed over, Mr. Blaine, a republican historian, declared no man would have lamented over a destroyed Union more than President Buchanan. In this campaign, joint discussions were held by the rival candidates, thousands of miles traveled, a few voters addressed and cabins and dug-outs transformed into opera houses and hotels, with the open prairies as an annex. No railroads or turnpikes or canals aided in travel, but private vehicles struggled through the grass, marshes and quicksands, furnishing opportunities for walking, wading and swimming. Patriotism was retailed at a premium, eloquence lavished in profusion. Yet only 5,900 votes were returned, of which a majority of fourteen awarded Mr. Morton, but afterwards lost by a contest in Congress.1 were Six years thereafter, in 1866, we find him a candidate for first governor of the new state, against David Butler, republican. Public arguments, for speedy admission as a state, were used by republicans, to the effect that the best government lands were being taken by settlement, and in a few years a new state would have to receive an inferior grade as her donation for education and internal improvement purposes; that the Territory could Pages 90-99. not draw capital to it as readily as a state could; and that the salaries named in the constitution to be voted upon, were so small the people could meet them without oppressive taxation, on account of the enhanced value of property. To which it was replied that the national domain was inexhaustible, the salaries delusively low, and increased prosperity would demand corresponding expense. Republicans were influenced privately by the consideration that they were now in a majority, and state and national patronage would be dispensed in their behalf. But democrats hoped that enough conservative republicans, sustaining the policy of Andrew Johnson, could by union with them capture the state and national offices, with a few years' delay. Accordingly, when they voted for Mr. Morton,. many also voted against state admission, but the returns finally gave Butler a majority of 145, and state admission a majority of 100. At the first election of United States senators, Mr. Morton was a democratic candidate, receiving the full party vote, as against T. W. Tipton, republican. Sixteen years thereafter, in 1882, when the vote had increased from 8,041 in 1860, to 87,345 in 1880, Mr. Morton was again put forward by his party as a candidate for governor against James W. Dawes. In this contest a majority of the votes were given to Mr. Morton and Mr. Ingersol; but Mr. Dawes, having more than either of the others, was elected. Again in 1884, Mr. Morton and Mr. Dawes were opposing candidates, while Mr. Morton increased his vote over that of two years previous from 28,562 to 57,634, and Mr. Dawes raised his from 43,495 to 72,835 and was again elected. In 1892, he oncemore carried the minority party's banner, in a contest for governor, and returning it unsullied, re-entered the democratic ranks. Often called upon to act in the capacity of governor, during the absence of that official, and at one time for six months continuously, following the resignation of Richardson, he met the emergencies with promptness and efficiency. In 1859, on account of the attack of the Pawnee Indians upon the persons and property of citizens of Dodge and Cuming counties, he called |