The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-09-07
OBITUARY.
General John A. Rawlinl

General JOhu A. haWllns.
About o'clock yesterday afternoon occurred the
death of Major General John A. Rawlins, the Secre-
tary of War. Two or three weeks ago. he was at
tackled with hemorrhage of the lungs, but several
times during his illness it was thought that the COM
plant had been mastered and on last Tuesday after
noon he attended meeting of the Cabinet at the spe
cal request of the President but against the advice
of his physician. The exertion incident to this is
thought 10 have brought on a relapse, and fastened
the hour of his death. The fatal malady is traced
partially to a severe cold which the late Secretary
contracted in 1863 while in the army, from the
effects of which he never wholly recovered.
John A. Rawlins was born in 10 Daviess county,
Illinois, on the 18th of February 1881. BY the pater
nal side he was descended from family of Virginians
that removed into Missouri, where his father mar
ried Both his father and mother are still living,
and are residents OF the town OF Galena, Illinois.
OF the large family of eight boys and one girl, only
one brother, died previous to the late Secretary.
General Rawlins received a common school and
academic education, for which he was entirely
indebted to his own eXertions under very ad-
verse circumstances and until nearly twenty-three
years Of age lived on farm and was engaged In
agricultural pursuits. In November, 1858, he en-
tered the law Office of j. p. Stevens of Galena,
where he made the acquaintance of President Grant.
In october, 1854 he was admitted to the bar, and,
opening an office, commenced the practice of his
profession, in which, although he did not make
fortune, he was tOlerably successful.
Previous to the outbreak OF the war, General Raw
Inns held no public Offices his time being devoted
chiefly to the practice OF his profession He had,
however, participated actively in political move
ments for some years. In politics he was strong
and bitter Democrat, and welded considerable in
huence in the councils OF the party In 1860, he re-
ceiyed the Democratic nomination for Presidential
ElectOr for the First Congressional district OF li-
nois on the Douglas ticket, and during the cele-
brated campaign Of that year frequently spoke In
favor of his Presidential candidate, earnestly de-
nouncing the Republicans and their principles.
But as soon as the Southern Democracy
rose in arms against the nation, Rawlins
deserted their ranks. Few evenings
after the firing on Fort Sumter, large pubic meet
ing was held in Galena, participated in by both Re-
publicans and Democrats. Grant, then an eX-cap-
tain of the regular army, was called to the chair.
prominent Democrat who was present took the stand
and began to talk about "Republican responsibility
for the war" and of compromises" when the Hon.
| E. b. Washburne rebuked him by eXclalmlng;-
'Mr. Chairman, any who will try TO stir up party
prejudices at this time is traitor At the same
| moment Rawlins entered the hail. ana loud cries
| called him to the stand. He advanced ana maze
speech lasting half an hour and ending WIN these
| woTd5i--
81 have been Democrat all my life but this is
No longer question OF politics. III Is sipy SUGSy S
| or no country. | have favored every honOIaDle
COMPROMISED but the day for COMPROMISE mas PssSu, &
Only one course is left us. we VIII stahu pS 1lle
| nag of our country, and appeal 10 the "oo VI
| battles
A few evenings afterwards Rawlins ana Grant en-
countered each other at another public gathering,
and Rawlins proposed that they SHOULD get up
company of volunteers. "As you have seen service
Rawns is reported to have said, ''you snail De cap
tain, and ROwley and will toss up 10 see whlch
shall be First Lieutenant" The Gaena company
was raised but Grant was not elected captain, ana
Rawlins got no First Lieutenancy. Grant soon
found employment at Springfield in connecuoh win
the recruiting service, and Rawllns renamed lor
short time at home, anxiously watching the course
OF events and awaiting his opportunity IL soon
came. Grant had gone into the field as colonel 10
be quickly promoted to a Brigadier-Geheralshlp
Rawlins was becoming inpatient and was about to