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Morton Oliver P

Oliver P. Morton was the fourteenth governor of Indiana and a United States senator from 1867 to 1877. He was a loyal union supporter during the civil war, and was instrumental in the state’s contributions to the war effort. His career was often marked by legal and political controversies.

Indiana Collection

Speeches and Writings of Oliver P. Morton (organized by date)

Morton, Oliver P. Proclamation / by the Governor of Indiana. S.N., 1863. (Broadside S 1856-1886).

Morton, Oliver P. To The Officers and Soldiers of the “Legion” and “Minute Men” of Indiana. S.N., 1863. (Broadside S 1856-1886).

French, William M. Life, Speeches, State Papers and Public Services of Governor Oliver P. Morton. Moore, Wilstach, & Baldwin, [c1863], 1866. ([H] ISLM ISLI 923 M891F 1866).

Morton, Oliver P. Speech of Senator O.P. Morton, : Delivered at Columbus, Ohio, August 27, 1867. Indianapolis Journal, 1867. (Broadside M 1850-1889).

Morton, Oliver P. Speeches of O.P. Morton. (ISLI 308 M891S).

  • Historical texts and articles in this title:
  • Indianapolis Journal: Monday, June 24, 1872
  • Indianapolis, Thursday Morning, September 19, 1872
  • Cincinnati Daily Gazette: Friday Morning, August 9, 1872, Speech of Senator Morton, at Rushville, Aug. 7, 1872.
  • The Inter-Ocean, Friday, October 13, 1872, Masterly Speech of Hon. Oliver P. Morton to the Republicans of Chicago
  • Democrat: St. Louis, Wednesday, October 23, 1872, an Able Speech from the Indiana Senator.
  • Daily Gazette, Saturday, October 26, 1872, Speeches by Senator Morton and Judge Johnston.
  • Providence Journal, Monday Morning, November 27, 1871, Senator Morton on the “National Idea.”
  • Campaign of 1873, Speech of Senator Morton.
  • September 12, 1873, Senator Morton.
  • Speech of Hon. O.P. Morton, U.S. Senator from Indiana, Before the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Union of Washington, D.C., On Monday Evening, January 6, 1868. 
  • The Nation, Masterly Speech of the Hon. O.P. Morton at Indianapolis.
  • Morton at LaPorte, History of Indiana Democracy Ventilated.
  • Information for the People, Records and Platforms of the Democratic Party, Speech of Senator Morton at Urbana, Ohio, 1875.
  • Speech of Hon. O.P. Morton, Delivered in the United States Senate, January 19th, 1876, on the Mississippi Election.
  • Reconstruction, Speech of Hon. O.P. Morton, In the U.S. Senate, January 24, 1868, On the Constitutionality of the Reconstruction Acts.
  • Laws of Neutrality, Speech of Hon. Oliver P. Morton, of Indiana, Delivered in the Senate of the United States, February 9, 1870.
  • Political Disabilities, Attitude of the Democratic Party, Speech of Hon. Oliver P. Morton, of Indiana, in the Senate of the United States, January 23, 1872.
  • National-Bank Circulation, Speech of Hon. O.P. Morton, of Indiana, in the United States Senate, March 23, 1874.
  • Views of the Late Oliver P. Morton on the Character, extent, and effect of Chinese Immigration to the United States (Section A is missing).
  • The Presidents Southern Policy, Letter of Hon. O.P. Morton, Upon the Overthrow of the Republican State Governments of South Carolina and Louisiana.
  • Fifteenth Amendment, Speech of Hon. Oliver P. Morton of Indiana, Delivered in the Senate of the United States, February 15, 1871.
  • Presidential Elections, Speech of Hon. Oliver P. Morton, of Indiana, Delivered in the Senate of the United States, January 17, 1873.
  • Speech of Hon. O.P. Morton, on the Resumption of Specie Payments, in the Senate of the United States, December 16, 1868.
  • The Currency Question, Letter from Hon. O.P. Morton, May 5, 1874. 

Other Sources

Buhl, Bessie M. The Call of Oliver P. Morton / Composed and Directed by Bessie M. Buhl. (ISLH 923 M891 No. 2).

Bulla, David W. Lincoln’s Censor: Milo Hascall and Freedom of the Press in Civil War Indiana. Purdue University Press, 2008. (ISLI 973.72 B935).

Carpenter, Edwin Cecil. The Political Speaking of Oliver Perry Morton. 1967. (ISLI 923 M891CA, 1967).

Garber, William S. Concerning the Quarrel between Oliver P. Morton, Governor, and Michael C. Garber, Editor, 1861-1866. (ISLI 923 M891C).

Foulke, William Dudley. Life of Oliver P. Morton. (ISLI 923 M891FO).

Howe, Daniel Wait. Political History of Secession: To the Beginning of the Civil War. Putnam, 1914. (ISLI 973.71 H855P).

Johnson, Everett Orville. Oliver P. Morton [microfilm]: A Study of his Career as a Public Speaker and of his Speaking on Slavery, Civil War, and Reconstruction issues. (ISLI 923 M891J).

Klement, Frank L. The Copperheads in the Middle West. The University of Chicago Press, 1960. (ISLI 973.71 K643C).

Lockridge, Ross F. Story of Indiana. Harlow Publishing Corporation, 1951. (ISLI 977.2 L816S).

Milton, G.F. Abraham Lincoln and the Fifth Column. The Vanguard Press, 1942. (973.7 M662A).

Morrison, Olin Dee. Indiana at Civil War, a Contribution to Centennial Publications. E.M. Morrison, 1961. (I 973.7 M188I).

U.S. 45th Congress 2nd Session. Memorial Address on Life and Characters of Oliver P. Morton. (ISLI 923 M891M).

Schultz, Leslie H. Oliver P. Morton and Reconstruction, 1867-1877 [microform]. (ISLI 973.8 S3870).

Stammp, Kenneth M. And The War Came. The University of Chicago Press, 1950. (ISLO 973.7 S783A).

Stammp, Kenneth M. Indiana Politics during the Civil War. Indianapolis Historical Bureau, 1949. (ISLI 973.7 S783I).

Stevens, Robert Allan. The Bracken Rangers Co. K, 28th Regiment, 1st Indiana Cavalry, and Essays on the American Civil War. Three Star Press, 2010. (ISLI 973.7 S845).

Streight, Abel. Letter to O.P. Morton from Abel D. Streight, Prisoner of War in Libby Prison, Richmond, Virginia, during the Civil War. S.N., 1863. (Broadsides M 1850-1889).

Sylvester, Lorna Lutes. Oliver P. Morton and Hoosier Politics during the Civil War. (ISLI 973.71 S9850).

Terrell, W.H.H. Indiana in the War of the Rebellion: Report of the Adjutant General. Indiana Historical Society, 1960. (ISLI 973.7 I385I 1960).

Walker, Charles Manning. Sketch of the Life, Character, and Public Services of Oliver P. Morton. Indianapolis Journal, 1878. (ISLI 923 M891W).

Wedden, William B. War Government Federal and State, 1861-1865. Houghton, Mifflin, & Company, 1906. (ISLI 973.71 W394 W).

Their Infinite Variety: Essays on Indiana Politicians. Indiana Historical Bureau, 1981. (ISLM 923 I385T).

Genealogy

French, William M. Life, Speeches, State Papers, and Public Services of Gov. Oliver P. Morton. (ISLG MICROFICHE LH14555).

Republican Party of Indiana, State Central Committee. Oliver P. Morton, of Indiana [microform]: Sketch of his Life and Public Services, Prepared by Direction of the Indiana Republican State Central Committee. Journal Company., Printers, 1876. (ISLG MICROFICHE LH11251).

Pamphlets

Speeches and Writings of Oliver P. Morton (organized by date)

Morton, Oliver P. Speech of Oliver P. Morton, the Republican Candidate for Lieutenant Governor: Delivered before the Ratification Meeting, held in the city of Terre Haute, on the 10th day of March, 1860. Express Print, 1860. (ISLO 815 M891 No. 4).

Morton, Oliver P. “Message of Gov. Oliver P. Morton, Delivered at the Called Session on the Indiana Legislature, April 25th, 1861: Together with the Proclamation of President Jackson.” B.R. Sulgrove, 1861. (ISLO 815 M891 No. 17).

Morton, Oliver P. “To the People of Indiana [Call for 20,000 Volunteers for 100 Days].” 1864. (ISLO 973.7 No. 7).

Morton, Oliver P. “Speech of Gov. Oliver P. Morton at the Union State Convention Held at Indianapolis, Indiana, February 23, 1864.” S.N., 1864. (ISLO 815 M891 No. 20).

Morton, Oliver P. “National and State Affairs: Speech of Gov. Oliver P. Morton Delivered Before the Union Congressional Convention held at Greencastle, Indiana, July 27th, 1864: also Correspondence in Relation to Soldiers Voting. Union State Central Committee, 1864. (ISLO 815 M891 No. 35).

Morton, Oliver P., and Joseph E. McDonald. “Debate between Gov. Oliver P. Morton and Hon. Joseph E. McDonald, at LaPorte, Wednesday, Aug. 10th 1864.” 1864. (ISLO 815 M891 No. 33).

Morton, Oliver P. “Soldiers’ National Cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. To the Legislature.” W.R. Holloway, 1865. (ISLO 973.73 No. 52).

Morton, Oliver P. “Speech of Gov. Oliver P. Morton: Delivered at Masonic Hall, Tuesday Evening, June 20, 1866.” 1866. (ISLO 973.7 No. 63).

Morton, Oliver P. “Oration of Hon. O.P. Morton. Address of Major General George G. Meade. Prayer of Rev. Henry Ward Beecher at the Gettysburg Monument Dedication, July 1, 1869. ([q] ISLO 813 M891 No. 1).

Morton, Oliver P. “Speech of Senator O.P. Morton: Delivered at Masonic Hall, Indianapolis, Tuesday Evening, Feb. 22, 1870. S.N., 1870. (ISLO 815 M891 No. 6).

Morton, Oliver P. “Speech of Hon. O.P. Morton, of Indiana, on the Bill for the Admission of Georgia: Delivered in the Senate of the United States, April 14, 1870. Chronicle Print, 1870. (ISLO 815 M891 No. 12).

Morton, Oliver P. “Shall Davis, Breckinridge, Lee, Toombs, Forrest, et al. Be Made Eligible to the Office of President and Seats in the Congress of the United States? Remarks of Hon. Oliver P. Morton, of Indiana, in the United States Senate, May 16 and 17, 1870: Senator Morton on General Amnesty. Congressional Globe Office, 1870. (ISLO 815 M891 No. 13).

Morton, Oliver P. “Hon. O.P. Morton’s Terre Haute Speech: Delivered July 18, 1870, at Terre Haute, Indiana”. Union Republican Congressional Committee, 1870. (ISLO 815 M891 No. 5).

Morton, Oliver P. “Annexation of Dominica: Speech of Hon. Oliver P. Morton, of Indiana, Delivered in the Senate of the United States, December 21, 1870. F & J Rivers & G.A. Bailey, 1870. (ISLO 815 M891 No. 14).

Morton, Oliver P. “Protection of Life, etc., at the South: Speech of Hon. Oliver P. Morton, of Indiana, Delivered in the Senate of the United States, April 4, 1871. F & J Rives & Geo. A. Bailey, 1871. (ISLO 815 M891 No. 26).

Morton, Oliver P. “In the Senate of the United States…Mr. Morton Submitted the Following Report.” Government Printing Office, 1874. (ISLO 815 M891 No. 34).

Morton, Oliver P. “Manner of Electing President and Vice-President of the United States.” Government Printing Office, 1874. (ISLO 815 M891 No. 36).

Morton, Oliver P. “The South: The Political Situation: Speech of Senator Morton on Louisiana Affairs.” S.N., 1874. (ISLO 815 M891 No. 21).

Morton, Oliver P. “The Nation: Masterly Speech of the Hon. O.P. Morton at Indianapolis: Tilden and Hendricks as Slanderers of our Good Name.” S.N., 1876. (ISLO 815 M891 No. 18).

Morton, Oliver P. “Personal Explanation, O.P. Morton, Governor of Indiana: Alleged Misapplication of $250,000: Revolutionary Policy of Democratic Legislature, in the Senate of the United States, May 3, 1876. Government Printing Office, 1876. (ISLO 815 M891 No. 8).

Morrill, Lot M. “Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Appropriation Bill: The Difference between the Two Houses upon this Question: Speeches of Hon. Lot M. Morrill and Hon O.P. Morton in the U.S. Senate, July 7, 1876. Republic Publishing Co., 1876. (ISLO 815 M891 No. 30).

Morton, Oliver P., Sherman, John, and George S. Boutwell. “River and Harbor Bill and the Dead-Lock: Speeches of Senators Morton, Sherman, and Boutwell, July 18, 19, and 22, 1876. S.N., 1876. (ISLO 815 M891 No. 9).

Other Sources

Barnes, William Horatio. “Oliver P. Morton.” W.H. Barnes Company, 1876. (ISLO 923 M891 No. 10).

Browne, Thomas M. “Oliver P. Morton.” United States Government Printing Office, 1878. (ISLO 923 M891 No. 9).

Democratic Party (Ind.) State Central Committee. “Facts for the People: in Answer to Gov. O.P. Morton’s Erroneous Statements in the Republican State Convention, February 23, 1864 / Prepared and Published by Order of the Democratic State Central Committee.” Democratic State Central Committee, 1864. (ISLO 329.3 No. 4).

Foulke, William Dudly. “Governor Morton and the Sons of Liberty.” (ISLO 973.7 No. 47).

Iglehart, Ferdinand Cowle. “Oliver P. Morton.” Hitchcock and Walden, 1878. (ISLO 923 M891 No. 8).

Pullan, Richard Butterfield. “National Currency Instead of National Bank Notes: a Review of Sen. Morton’s Financial Bill, and his Speech Supporting it.” H. Watkin, 1869. (ISLO 332.5 No. 1).

Wilder, A. “Oliver P. Morton: Late Senator of the United States.” S.R. Wells, 1878. (ISLO 923 M891 No. 7).

“The War Governor of Indiana.” S.N, 1878. (ISLO 923 M891 No. 4).  

Manuscripts Collection

Finding Aid Index Title:

Morton, Oliver P., Papers

L113, OB5 Folder 14, OBC44, OBD12, and V438

These collections contain the correspondence, letter fragments, bank and general account books, S380 Bill and Revisions, financial papers, newspaper clippings, northwest magazine 1899-1905, papers 1870-1874, notes and speeches, entries on the committee on privileges and elections, vetoes, obituary, and 1867 nomination by ballot.

J.H. Vajen Papers

S1334

Contains correspondence between J.H. Vajen (the Quartermaster General of Indiana) and the governor during 1861.

Benjamin Spooner Papers

S1229

Contains correspondence between Benjamin Spooner and Oliver P. Morton.

Richard W. Thompson Correspondence and Papers

L 158, V207, B 23, OBC 81

Contains numerous letters of correspondence between Richard Thompson and Oliver P. Morton.

Borden Family Papers

L17, OB3 Folder 30

Contains correspondence between John M. Johnston and Oliver P. Morton.

Daniel D. Pratt Papers

L128

Contains correspondence between Daniel Pratt and Oliver P. Morton.

George Washington Julian

L81, V53, OB4, OBC64

Contains correspondence between George Washington Julian and Oliver P. Morton.

Lucius B. Swift

L155

Contains correspondence between Lucius B. Swift and Oliver P. Morton.

Anna W. Wright

L550

Contain correspondence between Anna W. Wright and Oliver P. Morton, as well as letters from Morton to her father, Jacob Wright.

Jefferson Columbus Davis

L41, V9

Contains correspondence between Jefferson Columbus Davis and Oliver P. Morton.

John Coburn

L34, V59

Contains correspondence between John Coburn and Oliver P. Morton.

Indianapolis Newspapers

Subject Headings

Governors

Governor’s Proclamations

Morton, Governor Oliver Perry

Morton, Oliver Perry

Clippings

Morton, Oliver P. and family

Federal Documents

One Hundredth Congress, Second Session. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress 1774-1989: Bicentennial Edition. Government Printing Office, 1989. (Y 1.1/2).

United States Congress and Senate. President of the Senate Pro Tempore: Proceedings in the United States Senate from April 6, 1789, to December 5, 1911, Relating to the Election, Powers, Duties, and Tenure in Office of the President of the Senate Pro Tempore, Including the Report of the Committee on Privileges and Elections, January 6, 1876 / Compiled by Henry H. Gilfy, Chief Clerk of the United States Senate. Government Printing Office, 1911 (ISLM p.d. 328 J2s v. 30).

Links to Other Resources

State Archives: http://www.in.gov/icpr/2566.htm

IUPUI Digital Library, Civil War Governor Morton Telegraph Books and Slips: http://ulib.iupui.edu/digitalscholarship/collections/Telegraph

Indiana Historical Society, Oliver P. Morton Papers, 1861-1876: http://www.indianahistory.org/our-collections/collection-guides/oliver-p-morton-papers.pdf/

Indiana Historical Society, Oliver P. Morton Letters, 1862, 1864: http://www.indianahistory.org/our-collections/collection-guides/governor-oliver-p-morton-letters-1862-1864.pdf

IN JD 7/30/2013