almost daily friendly personal intercourse. I can see his manly form before me now, standing on the floor of the House of Representatives, with his uplifted arm; I can hear his strong, sympathetic voice, and see every face on both sides of the chamber and in the galleries turned to .catch every word that falls from his lips. That voicethe voice of the President of a nation of fifty millions of people—is hushed in death, and has no more the power of listening senates to command.'"

During all of Mr. Morton's life he has been considerate of the interests and privileges of the members of the press. It might be supposed that a man of large social character and with abundant great operations upon his mind would overlook the competitions of the reporters for the daily news.

But on the contrary, Mr. Morton has regarded the Press as an institution which would respond to a courtesy, and take its tone from that society which was most patient and forbearing with it. Galignani, in Paris, remarked, after the Garfield obsequies:

"Not content with always receiving most courteously at the Legation the representatives of the press, and replying to every inquiry for eighty days for copies of the official bulletins there, which were the most reliable sources of European information, and daily perused by millions of sympathetic readers, the Legation of Mr. Morton has

anticipated the wishes of the journals, and we return the most grateful thanks to the Minister and his Secretaries, always accomplished and courteous. Profound respect has always existed for the diplomatic representatives of the great Republic; but under the terrible suspense and anxieties of the past two months such has been the courtesy there that the Minister has won a grateful and personal regard, which cannot but strengthen his official influence. But for his own persistent declination, by the accident of the death of General Garfield, Mr. Morton would to-day be the occupant of the White House as President of the United States."

The erection at the city of Washington of a statue, or group, commemorative of the French alliance with America, is one of the pleasant results of that series of interchanges of artistic presents which began when Mr. Morton was the French Minister.

From his address when he drove the rivet in the Bartholdi Statue of Liberty, we take this extract:

"The names of Lafayette, Rochambeau, de Noailles and others associated with this new evidence of your friendship, have been household words in the Republic of the New World since their ancestors and their associates gave so freely of their blood and treasure to secure its independence. I should add to this roll one, if I may be permitted to do so in his presence-the name of

your distinguished chairman, the gifted interpreter to the French people of our political institutions and the national constitution (Laboulaye), and now to this roll is to be added the name of August Bartholdi."

After this honorable commission had returned to their native land from their memorable mission of international friendship, the French Government expressed its obligation to their American. host by an artistic memorial of their visit. The accompanying letter is translated as follows:

"My Dear Mr. Morton:

"PARIS, 15th of April, 1888.

"I am officially intrusted by the French delegation present at the inauguration of the Statue of Liberty with the pleasant duty to express to you their compliments and thanks for your kind reception of the French guests.

"As our government has granted us the disposal of some objects of the Sèvres National Manufactory to be offered to our American friends, President Grévy has graciously been pleased to place at our disposal for you the lovely bust in Sèvres porcelain which he always keeps for his own presenting.

"This object, addressed to you, will reach you through the care of the French Consul in New York. Our present, notwithstanding the real value of all that is produced by the celebrated institution of Sèvres, is merely, considering all you have done for us, a very modest token of our friendship, but we beg you to look at it as if it were a plain Carte de visite,' and to only think of the feelings attached to it, our sincere thoughts of gratitude.

6

"We would request you also, dear sir, to be so kind as to present Mrs. Morton with the homages of the whole delegation, as well as their sincere thanks for her gracious welcome.

"To the foregoing I would join the assurance of my personal devotion, and remain, dear sir,

"Yours respectfully,

66

On behalf of the French Delegation,

"To the Hon. L. P. MORTON, New York."

"(Signed) BARTHOLDI.

WHAT SHALL THE VERDICT BE?

The limits of this sketch have already been exceeded. There has been no consultation with Mr. Morton as to the method of conveying these facts or discriminating among them for publication. The general result of the study is a citizen whose family has been long in the land, whose parents and their predecessors were religious and social instructors and pastors over communities, whose own life commenced under the strain of difficulties, but whose temperament and manners were from the beginning those of one who was grateful for life and opportunity, and who, without mental anxiety, with faith in his neighbors and his day, grew rather than pressed onward, letting every year have its full due of time and services, until he was beckoned to come up higher by his seniors and employers, and, finally, when he was ready for an independent mercantile existence, was heartily joined by partners of his selection. When he put aside the mercantile branches and took up the business of banking as the natural outgrowth of nearly a quarter of a century of commerce, he kept his faith large, his charity fresh and his hope temperate yet strong.

Entering public life without either fear or ambition, he speedily became a favorite by both the democracy and the dignity of his intercourse, until legislatures and administrations held him in

In defeat he was uncomplaining, and in success moderate.

At last the Vice-Presidency is extended to him at the hands of some who had been his opponents but could never find in him an enemy. His party accepted the choice without doubt or hesitation. Internal harmony having been thus honorably secured, the great army of loyal citizens who have ever been true to the Union and its highest interests have ample reason to look forward to assured victory.

The citizen who has filled with honor every position to which the favor of his political associates has called him, will, if elected, discharge with fidelity the high duties of presiding officer of the noblest legislative chamber in the world.

His private felicity is at all events secured and he has been one of the many Americans of fair prosperity who have kept the household altar-fire of philanthropy ever fed by new gifts.