Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-01-20
WOMEN IN POLITICS.

10 the Unlteu states senate, by the Illinois
Legislature, is attributed more to the in
f1uence of his wife than to any other per-
son, or perhaps than to all other persons
combined. She worked for him night
and day. Her parlors at the Leland
House, at Springfield, were open to the
members of the Legislature and their
friends from the time they commenced
assembling. A letter from Springfield,
dated the 9th of January, says:
''The levees which Mrs. Logan is con-
stsntly holding in her parlors at the LIE.
land, have not been properly "written
up" but their interest is certainly suffi-
cient to justify mention. II may read
lily be admitted, TO begin with, that it is
one of the phenomena of this exciting
struggle-one of its very pleasantest and
most graceful features. Here, directly
over the headquarters of the General
himself, is levee, always in session,
presided over by Mrs. Logan, who is as
sisted by her husbands younger brother
and his handsome cousin, Miss Logan. In
this room all are welcome, and all are
| graciously received, and to this room al
most all of the members of the first sec
ond and third houses have beat a retreat
at some time during the heat of the con-
test. 1t is where they 60 to escape for a
moment from the fetId atmosphere of
politics. In parlor No. 26, politics is
not among the refreshments. 1t is an
oasis of peace in desert of wrangling. 1t
is a retreat-a neutral ground-which the
contestants of both sides fly 10, 10 get
their s0ured hearts sweetened with music,
and their bewiIdered brains cooled by
sensible conversation. Mrs. Logan is a
native of Missouri, transplanted to South
ern Illinois-a small, fragile lady, with
an attractive, mobile face, mass of tur-
bulent black hair, and sharp eyes selected
to match it, wide experience of the
social world, a good fund of information,
abundant wit, and q ready tongue
freighted with complaisance and susvity.
She certainly impresses very pleasantly all
who come within her influence"
Mrs. Logan is represented as an elo-
quent controversialist, sagacious OBJ
server, and quick witted woman. 1t is
very clear that she has managed her hus-
bands case much better than he could
have done it himself. The re.ult of this
election, reminds a contemporary of
few instances Of the part women have
played in public life. Mrs. Stephen A.
Douglas was the life of her husband,
saving him from the designations into
which he was being seduced, and keeping
his head cool and level in moments when
be was likely to fall into error through
too impetuous desire to declare himself
The late Senator Slidell furnishes
striking instance of how a man may be
assisted in his aspirations by woman of
tact. His fortunes were greatly assisted
by the gifts of Mrs. Slidell, not only
in New Orleans but at Washing.
ton. But one of the most remarkable
instances of the power of women in cleo
tons, occurred in California when Gwin
and Broderick were contending for the
Senatorship. And in this instance Brode
rick confessed to a defeat at the hands of
beauty. Mr.. Gwin opened parlors in the
principal hotels at Sacramento and Mrs.
Gwin presided. The beauty and talent
of the State were concentrated at the re-
ceptioD, twenty seven young ladies lend
ing their attractions to influence the rep
resentatives. The Legislature was invited
to partake of the Inequalities of the
Gwin reception, and as he was then
United States Senator, and was still ex-
pected to be, it may well be supposed
that the brilliant court established by Mrs.
Gwin was not neglected. And the wife
and family of DR.. Gwin knew how to
keep open house. They had wit good
sense, refinement, beauty, wealth, name
and position. They embarked all these
qualities in the contest, and used their
elOquence TO such advantage that ERODE
rick had to retire. 1t was a brilliant
winter in Sacramento, and one that Cali
foInia will never see the like of again.