New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-04-10

Ward served as quaTteruoaotef III he keSf
ment until the war was at an end, when
he retired to civil life and entered upon
the study of law in 1850. In 1852 be
commenced the practice of law after
graduating at the Louisville University.
la this year he was elected to the Illinois
Legislature. In 1853 he was appointed
Prosecuting Attorney. In 1856 he was
made a Presidential Elector, and was a
second time elected to the Legislature.
In 1858 he was elected a Representative
from Illinois to the Thirty.Sixth Congress,
and served as chairman of the Committee
on Unfinished Business; was reelected to
the Thirty-Seventh Congress, and resign
ed in 1861 to serve as a colonel in the
| Union army, and afterward was made a
general in consequence of gallant services
rendered on well contested battle-felds.
When the condition of the country was,
happily, such as to no longer require the
active services of Mr.. Logan as a soldier,
he retired again to private life, and was
again honored by his native State, Illinois.
with a seat in the Congress of the United
States.
1t is in bis character of Representative
that he now appears in behalf of the peo-
pie, and asks for a reduction of the army
He regards it, no doubt, as much his duty
to do this in time of peace, when the fnan-
cial credit of bis country has to be re-
established, and its republicanism main
tanned, "a be regarded it a duty to prefer
| his services as a soldier in time Of war;
| and believing so, he is not the man to
| shrink from any duty that is due the re.
public in times of peace or war. Having
proved himself a soldier, it is but just to
| suppose Mr.. Logan incapable of O desire
to do any soldier injustice in advocating a
measure that is deemed beneficial to all.
In opening his speech he desired the care
full attention of members, that they might
thoroughly understand the design of the
| Committee on Military Affairs in this mat
ter, and promised to show this in a sue
| clint hammer. 'FWe propose" said Mr..
Logan, ION the basis of the report of the
Secretary of War, to reduce the number of
officers in the army, by mastering out a
number equal to the number who are now
without commands; to reduce the rank of
some officers, and to change the law as it
now exists in reference to the army. in
many features
Before coming to this conclusion and
submitting a bill for this purpose, the
Committee on Military Affairs, having
examined all the laws relating. to the Or
ganization of the army from the founda-
ton of the government to the present time.
must have been fully convinced that no
mater who it disturbed, or whose individ-
ual interest was interfered with, this was
the proper course to be pursued. They had
law and precedence of custom to establish;
they were right in recommending what
they deemed best for the public interest.
1t is sometimes said that republics are IN
grateful. But this charge can not be
made with any show of justice against the
United States, unless, indeed, it be made
by individuals who feel that military
claims should'build up a privileged class
in our country, inconsistent with its insti-
utions. The moment such a claim Is
acknowledged as correct in this country
will be q serious one for republicanism .
for from that time must commence to date
its downfall, and the growth of military
power. 1t is, therefore, far better that
republics should be considered ungrateiul
than that they should establish a principle
fatal to the liberties o the people. 1t is q bad
sign for the people Of this country to have
to be told that whenever there is any
attempt made to reduce the army, or to
affect il in any way whatever, however
much it. may be to the interest OF the
country, such attempt is met with serious
F opposition" 1t is a sign there is a mill
tary feeling and interest growing in the
f country at variance with its republican
principles; and nothing but the timely
voice and action Of such men as the brave
and patriotic Logan will be able to arrest
that feeling and interest, aud by asserting
and maintaining the true principles
of the government keep the mill.
tary subordinate to the civil authority.
We believe with Mr.. Logan, that likely
none of the brave officers now attached
to the army are men that would raise 9
hand against the government !; but the
principle is a very bad one that recognizes
o commissioned officer for every ten mer
in the service; that gives a much larger
standing army-triple the number evel
before kept up in time Of ~peace-an army
of near forty thousand men and officers
and a list of supernumerary officers
amounting to over five hundred.
A perusal of MI. Logan's speech upor
the proposed reduction Of the army and
for other purposes will convince tht
rnnnhlican raonle Of this country tina,