Oliver P. Morton

<p>Oliver Hazard Perry Throck Morton (August 4, 1823 – November 1, 1877), commonly known as Oliver P. Morton, was a U.S. <a href="/facts/Republican_Party_(United_States)/XXM1EVPr">Republican Party</a> politician from <a href="/facts/Indiana/VRnvjXoQ">Indiana</a>. He served as the <a href="/facts/List_of_governors_of_Indiana/Cb40W3sa">14th governor</a> of <a href="/facts/Indiana_during_the_American_Civil_War/180Vn68f">Indiana during the American Civil War</a>, and was a stalwart ally of President <a href="/facts/Abraham_Lincoln/F8VqYAsA">Abraham Lincoln</a>. Morton worked hard to maximize Indiana's contribution to the war effort and marginalize the obstructionists. He was a principled and effective leader who fought for equality and nationalism through the use of governmental power. His forceful pursuit of civil rights and prosecution of Copperheads and white supremacists gained him lasting enemies among the antiwar elements. Morton thwarted and neutralized the <a href="/facts/Democratic_Party_(United_States)/MNe3nDrL">Democratic</a>-controlled <a href="/facts/Indiana_General_Assembly/yCAmYCr0">Indiana General Assembly</a>. He exceeded his <a href="/facts/Constitution_of_Indiana/lBNEDd61">constitutional</a> authority by calling out the militia without approval, and during the period of legislative suppression he privately financed the state government through unapproved federal and private loans. He was criticized for arresting and detaining political enemies and suspected southern sympathizers. As one of President Lincoln's "war governors", Morton made significant contributions to the war effort, more than any other man in the state, and earned the lifelong gratitude of former Union soldiers for his support.
</p><p>During his second term as governor, and after being partially paralyzed by a stroke, he was elected to serve in the <a href="/facts/United_States_Senate/VyzXHE01">U.S. Senate</a>. He was a leader among the <a href="/facts/Radical_Republicans/GtlEznaR">Radical Republicans</a> of the <a href="/facts/Reconstruction_era_of_the_United_States/W6lgbxvn">Reconstruction era</a>, and supported numerous bills designed to reform the former <a href="/facts/Southern_Confederacy/jMSDM4q3">Southern Confederacy</a>. In 1877, during his second term in the Senate, Morton suffered a second debilitating stroke that caused a rapid deterioration in his health; he died later that year. Morton was mourned nationally and his funeral procession was witnessed by thousands. He is buried in <a href="/facts/Indianapolis/r8BQof9G">Indianapolis</a>'s <a href="/facts/Crown_Hill_Cemetery/fqC5CxXQ">Crown Hill Cemetery</a>.
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Oliver P. Morton