Thomas Morris (Ohio politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Morris
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| United States Senator from Ohio |
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| In office March 4, 1833 – March 3, 1839 |
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| Preceded by | Benjamin Ruggles |
| Succeeded by | Benjamin Tappan |
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| Born | January 3, 1776 Berks County, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | December 7, 1844 (aged 68) Bethel, Ohio, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic-Republican (Before 1825) Jacksonian (1825–1838) Democratic (1838–1844) Liberty (1844) |
Thomas Morris (January 3, 1776 – December 7, 1844) was an American politician. He was from Ohio. Morris served as a United States Senator. He was a member of the Democratic Party. In the 1844 presidential election, he ran for Vice President. He was the nominee for the Liberty Party. This party was strongly against slavery.
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About Thomas Morris
Thomas Morris was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania. In 1793, he joined a group called the Rangers. They fought against Native Americans. Two years later, he moved to western Ohio. Morris started working as a lawyer in Bethel, Ohio in 1804.
Political Career
Morris began his political journey in Ohio. On May 12, 1806, he won a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives. He represented Clermont County.
He served in the Ohio House of Representatives several times. These terms were from 1806–1807, 1808–1809, 1810–1811, and 1820–1821. In 1809, he was a Justice of the Ohio State Supreme Court. Later, he joined the Ohio State Senate. He served there from 1813–1815, 1821–1823, 1825–1829, and 1831–1833.
Serving in the U.S. Senate
In 1833, Thomas Morris was elected to the United States Senate. He served one term as a Senator. He decided not to run for re-election.
Running for Vice President
In 1844, Morris was chosen to run for Vice President. He ran with James G. Birney for the Liberty Party. This party was focused on ending slavery. Their team finished third in the election. The winners were James K. Polk from the Democratic Party. Henry Clay from the Whig Party came in second.
Family Life
Thomas Morris had two sons. Their names were Isaac Newton Morris and Jonathan David Morris. Both of them also became important figures.
Death
Thomas Morris passed away on December 7, 1844. He was buried in the Early Settlers Burial Ground. This cemetery is in Bethel, Clermont County, Ohio.
His Important Legacy
A famous writer and American Civil War historian named Eric Foner has written about Thomas Morris. Foner believes Morris was a very important person in the anti-slavery movement. He calls Morris the "first political martyr" for the anti-slavery cause. Morris lost his Senate seat because he strongly spoke out against slavery.
Foner also says that Morris helped Salmon P. Chase understand the "Slave Power." This term referred to the idea that slave owners had too much power in the government. Morris helped show the need for political groups to fight this power. His actions helped lead to the creation of the Republican Party. This party was formed to oppose slavery.
Famous Quote
Here is a famous quote from Thomas Morris:
- "Who taught me to hate slavery and every other oppression? Jefferson, the great and good Jefferson! Yes, Virginia Senators, it was your own Jefferson, Virginia's favorite son, who did more for the natural liberty of mankind, and the civil liberty of his country, than any man who ever lived in our country - and it was he who taught me to hate slavery; it was in his school I was brought up. If I am, sir, an Abolitionist, Jefferson made me one; and I only regret that the disciple should be so far behind the master both in doctrine and in practice."
