Justin Smith Morrill

Justin Smith Morrill was a prominent American politician and United States Representative from Vermont, serving from 1855 to 1867. He is best known for sponsoring the Morrill Tariff and the Land-Grant College Act of 1862, which provided funding for Agricultural education and Mechanic Arts education at institutions such as Cornell University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Purdue University. Morrill's work had a significant impact on the development of Higher education in the United States, particularly in the fields of Agriculture and Engineering. He was a key figure in the Republican Party during the American Civil War era, working closely with other notable politicians such as Abraham Lincoln, William Seward, and Salmon P. Chase.

● Early Life and Education

Justin Smith Morrill was born on April 14, 1810, in Strafford, Vermont, to Nathan Morrill and Mary Huntley Morrill. He attended Thetford Academy and later worked as a Store clerk in Canterbury, New Hampshire, before moving to Strafford, Vermont, where he became a successful Merchant and Businessman. Morrill's interest in Politics was sparked by his involvement in the Whig Party and his admiration for notable politicians such as Henry Clay and Daniel Webster. He was also influenced by the American System, a economic plan developed by Henry Clay and supported by John C. Calhoun and other prominent National Republicans.

● Career

Morrill's career in politics began in 1854, when he was elected to the United States House of Representatives as a member of the Whig Party. He later joined the Republican Party and became a key figure in the party, serving as a member of the Committee on Ways and Means and working closely with other notable politicians such as Thaddeus Stevens, John Sherman, and James A. Garfield. Morrill was a strong supporter of the Abolitionist movement and worked to prevent the spread of Slavery in the United States, often finding himself at odds with Southern Democrats such as Jefferson Davis and John C. Breckinridge. He was also a key supporter of the Homestead Act, which was signed into law by Abraham Lincoln in 1862 and provided land grants to Settlers in the American West.

● Tariff Act of 1861

The Tariff Act of 1861, also known as the Morrill Tariff, was a significant piece of legislation sponsored by Morrill that raised Tariffs on imported goods to protect American industry and generate revenue for the federal government. The act was passed on March 2, 1861, and was supported by Northern Republicans such as Abraham Lincoln, William Seward, and Salmon P. Chase. The Morrill Tariff was opposed by Southern Democrats such as Jefferson Davis and John C. Breckinridge, who argued that it would harm the Southern economy and lead to Secession. The act played a significant role in the American Civil War, as it helped to finance the Union Army and supported the War effort.

● Legacy

Justin Smith Morrill's legacy is significant, as he played a key role in shaping the United States during the American Civil War era. His work on the Land-Grant College Act of 1862 and the Morrill Tariff had a lasting impact on Higher education and American industry. Morrill was also a strong supporter of the Abolitionist movement and worked to prevent the spread of Slavery in the United States. He was honored by Cornell University, which named Morrill Hall after him, and by the United States Department of Agriculture, which established the Morrill Act of 1862 as a cornerstone of its Agricultural education programs. Morrill's work was also recognized by other notable institutions, such as Harvard University, Yale University, and the National Academy of Sciences.

● Personal Life

Justin Smith Morrill married Ruth Barrell Swan in 1851 and had one child, Justin Morrill Jr.. He was a member of the Episcopal Church and was known for his strong Christian values. Morrill was also a skilled Musician and enjoyed playing the Piano and Organ. He died on December 28, 1898, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in Strafford, Vermont. Morrill's personal life was marked by his strong commitment to his family and his community, as well as his dedication to public service and his work in Politics. He was remembered by his colleagues and contemporaries, including Theodore Roosevelt and William McKinley, as a tireless advocate for the United States and its people. Category:American politicians