The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-30
From the Joliet Signal. 5th,
John A. Logan in 1861 and in 1876.

From the joliet Slgna, oth.
John A. Logan in 1861 and in 1876.
In 1861, after the rebellion had brok
en- out, and secession was the rage in INT
southern and some of the border states, Johi
A. Logan, present United States Senator from
the State of Illinois, visited Joliet, in com
nanv with Hon. S. s. Marshall, Hon j. &
Allen and Hon. w. J. Allen, all members o
Congress at that time. While here, Messrs
Marshall and the two Allenswere guests a
the hospitable residence of the late Hon
Samuel X. Casey. and Mr.. Logan was the
guest of the late Col L. p. Sanger.
AS can be proven by scores Of living wit
nesses. MIR Logan during his visit in Joliet
on different occasions and at different places
opeply and firmly declared himself in sym
pathy with the rebels, and denounced Doug
las and the Democrats who sustained LIN
coin in his call for troops to put down the
rebellion and enforce the laws, in the mos'
vehement manner. ~.
| During this visit of Congressman to Joliet
in 1861, the writer OF this was invited TO a
meeting of consultation. In the room, when
he arrived at the place of meeting, were
Messrs. Logan, Marshall, w. j. and J. G. Al
len, r. E. Goodell, Col. Sanger. Hon. S. X
Casey, s. ID. Foote and others. The subject
of the war was the topic OF conversation
Mr.. Logan alone of the number present was
for secession. All the others denounced the
proposition as absurd, mad and reasonable
In the progress Of the discussion, Logan took
the writer of this article TO one side and in
the hearing of one or two others whose evi.
dence will be forthcoming If demanded, in.
formed him that Southern Illinois was bound
to Join the secession movement, and 1t was
his desire that the north part of the State
should follow suit. He further said that the
Signal being one ofthe most firm and relia,
BILE Democratic papers OF the State should
lead off In the movement, and that it would
be speedily followed by others. The prop.
osl.ion, of course, was Indignantly and prompt
" rejected. He was informed that the Signal
was Union paper, and it would stand by
the Government to the last let the conse-
quences be what they might. During the
same conversation with the writer he further
said that he had met Stephen A. Douglas IN
Chicago on that day, and though Douglas
offered to shake hands with him that he
turned his back upon the distinguished Sen,
ator, adding that he Douglasl might sell out
the Democratic party to the Northern Abol-
itloniss, but that he could not deliver it with
his consent.
AT the conclusion Of the meeting Col. San
ger took Mr.. Logan home with him and be
fore he lett Joliet he was persuaded to aban
don his secession sentiments and join the
Union side, but 1t was not until after he had
been assured by Gov. Yates that he would
commission him as colonel. Thus was he
converted. His career during the war and
since is toe well known to require rchears
ing.
Well, little over fifteen wears after the
meeting referred to above, John A. Logan
visited Joliet again, and made speech in
Werner's Hall to amIXed audience of Repub-
licans and Democrats. This time he did not
talk secession. His theme was the bloody
shirt. The Democrats, his associates OF for
mer years, were denounced rs Copperheads
and Confederates, and the Republican party
alone was given all the credit of the success
of the war. The administrations of Pierce
and Buchanan, both of which Mr.. Logan
sustained TO the last. and helped to elect,
were denounced as ten.fold more corrupt
TIL an that OF Grant Indeed his entire speech
was tissue of falsehoods from beginning to
end, completely stultifying his past record
and misrepresenting past history.
Such is the difference between John A. Lo-
gan now and John A. Logan fifteen years
ago. And such is the character of the man
whom the Republicans propose to re-elect to
the United States Senate, If they succeed in
eectlng majority of our Legislature. But
1t is extremely doubtful whether they will do
it or not The people have had enough of
tIeaCheIy and aDOStacy.