Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1862-11-08
Speech of Gen. John A, Logan,

I Brig Gen. John A. Logan, who is now on
! brief leave of absence at his home in South
trn Illinois, addressed his old friends and cop.
, sli.uents at Carbondale, on the 2Sth. The
CarCondalo 7;mcs gives the following report
VI his speech which It says was the best Of
his life, and drew forth successive rounds OF
applause from his hearers:
1he circumstances under which we meet
are strangely dillerent from any other pesiQd
ut our history. At other times we met to de-.
scant upon the advantages and blessings OF
this great and good Government. and the best
political measures to perpetuate free insiitu.
I tio''s-iiow. the great question is, how shall
we save it from the vortex Of rebellion, from
the whirlpool of treason which is threatening
to overwhem and utterly destroy republican
liberty In regard to the best method Of
crushing the rebellion and ending the war,
almost every one has his own views, and not
few are ready to lose confidence in the abil-
ity and integrity Of the Government because
this or that policy was not adopted. bt cause
this or that defeat occurred, or in consequence
of some imaginary or real mistake that has
been made. This is all wrong. The men
who are guiding the ship Of State have done
the best they could, and are entitled to our
confidence and sympathy. They are but
men, aud We should strengthen the hands Of
the President and our Generals in this trying
hour Ly overlooking mistakes, and using our
influence in trying to i,npart to others conf
d.nce in those Oh whose shoulders rest so
! ,nucl, responsibility. How little do we know
of the cares. the tolls, and the anxiety Of those
brave hearts who have labored with all their
might to crush the monster secession.
These are times that demand the most he.
roc energy and undaun,cd bravery. Every
patriot in the land is called upon to come to
tn. rescue Of his country, TO do his part in
this struggle. and the man who fails to lend
his influence and energies in this crisis. who
liugcrs while liberty blecds at every pore.
is a traitor and deserves II traitors doom.
This is a fearful war. the influence Of
which will be felt for ages. 1t is II strug-
gle between right and might. between
r,pullicanism and anarchy. 1t is too late
now to inquire into the causes that brought
ON the war-h- day of compromise has long
since ended; it is by the sword. the bullet,
and the bay6net that this national difficulty
ia to BE- settled. We have a cunning and
powerful foe with which to contend
b. is in fearful enrnest, and has been all the
while; the die is cast, the government must
be preserved. 1t may cost millions OF blood
and treasure bnt we must conquer. The
world is looking with an anxious heart to the
result of this war, til. prayers Of the down.
trodden millions of the old world. ar" ascend.
ing to God iS"r the preservation Of this Union
-.his hope Of the world. Ali things else
sink into insiSnticance when compared with
the solution Of this mighty problem. Par'y
lines and partisan FEELINGS Should b. su"/-
lo.ccd wp in patriotism. In this connection.
l mus, say that am sorry TO see men in Hi
nois forget their country for their party. while
your brothers are falling in their country's
service like leaves Of autumn before the wintry
blast, while their bones are bleaching beneath
n summer sun; while tho nation is suffering
throps Of agony and crying for help. You are
wrangling over conventions and candidates.
In the name of God. fellow.citzrns, cease
this clamor, turn politics over TO old men and
women. and rally like soldiers to tn. STANDARD
Of your country. max once a politician. Ixf
30 hrlp me Goa. I sCiN ncrrr shenh ny sword
Eor coxrtiy halle or cirH honors until
mn country is sared .f;om the 1'o"dy tor
mado Mat Is desolatixg tie .fairest land on
earth-~erer x~tH tie aid tug .foots in h'-
.mpA from errry hilltop On Coixmbia's soil.
These are my politics. and all there il in the
army Mt jackson. Indeed am surprised to
(, find men talking Of anything else.
Your country calls for aid, and It needs it
now. 1t will accept voluntary assistance If
it can grt it, If not men will b. forced into tho
ranks. There are many reasons why men do
not 20 to war. and very few why soma men
- 80 oftnv,
given for not volunteering, but the most pow.
erfnl rrason is. they do rot raxt to 60!
When hear man say la will go only with
q certain man. or in a certain company or reg.
iment, or that h. will not 60 without nm Of.
fee, l feel sure there is something wrong
, about that mans heart. He don't love his
country as h" should. Your country needs
you now worse than at any other time. aud il
you want to 60 into service. yon can find no
better or more honorable place than in an old
regiment. Why object TO filling the place
/ Of the brave boy who fell at Belmont. Donsl.
con, or Shiloh, whose bodies sleep in soil con.
taminated by the footsteps Of rebels. In
sickness or in health. in the camp or on the
battlefield. the best place for the young sold
+, ier 10 by tha side Of the veteran.
But there are some who say can't 60.
this is a war to free Me s;Seers! This
charge 10 not worth attention, but although no
such object ia contemplated in the prosecution
Of this war, yet the negroes are getting free
/ pretty fast. It is not done by the army, but
they arr. freeing thsmselpes. and if this war
continues five years, not slave will be left
in the whole South. Now, LIT me say to
those who are 60 anxious about the interests
Of slavery. if you wish slavery to continue.
Join the army and help us whip out the rebel: