National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-06-05

to my course or interviews, in the direction
mentioned in said article, are equally false rs
the statement about my having made the
speech at Memphis in 1861 or at any other
time.
| would not have noticed this tissue of false
hoods, put forward to ease or other ISLANDERS,
had it not been for the fact that 1t has been
given out through the columns of q paper
owned and edited, as understand, by prom
inCnt mau.-Onc who has often been trusted by
the people of Illinois, and one who still has
high aspirations. | must confess, sir that ]
was surprised and utterly amazed when l
found that lie, too, had permitted the columns
Of his paper to be used as a vehicle of slander
against one who was comradc in arms, side
by side with himself, In some Of the hardest
struggles of the late war. Very respectfully,
JOHN A. LOGAN.
As a complete answer, to all the unprinci-
pied assaults made upon Senator LOGAN
relating to his loyalty and devotion TO the
Union cause during the rebellion, we give
below the general order which he issued to
the troops Of his command on his arrival i'll
Memphis in February, 1862
HEADQUARTERS THIRD Division,
SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
MEMPHIS, Tenn, Feb. 10, 1853.
MY FELLowSoLDfERs: Debility from recent
illness has prevented aud still prevents me from
appearing among you, as has been my custom
and is my desire. IL is for this cause | deem it
my duty to communicate with you now and
give you the assurance that your General still
maintains uushaken confidence in your patri-
otism, devotion. and in the ultimate success of
our glorious cause
am aware that influences of the most dis.
couaging and reasonable character, we'll cal
culated and designed to render you dissatisfied,
| have recently been brought to bear upon some
of you by professed friends. Newspapers con.
tanning reasonable articles, artfully classifying
the public sentiment ut your homes, have been
circulated in your camps. Intriguing political
| trickslers, dcmagogues, and tlme-servcrs, whose
corrupt de ds are but a faint reflex of their
more corrupt hearts, seem determined to drive
our people on to anarchy aud destruction.
They have hoped, by magniiying the reverses
of our arms, basely misrepresenting the con-
duct and slandering the character of our SOL
dcrs in the field aud boldly denouncing the
acts of the constituted authorities of the Gov
ernment as unconstitutional usurpations, to
produce general Generalization in the army,
and thereby reap their political reward, weak
oning the cause We have espoused, and aid
those arch traitors of the South to dismember
our mighty Republic and trail in the dust the
emblem of our national unity, greatness and
glory. Let me remind you, my countrymcn
that we are soldiers of the Federal Union
armed for the preservation of the Federal Con.
authority. Upon your faithfuness and devo-
tion, herOism aud gallantry, depend its perpe-
tuity. To us has been committed this sacred
inheritance baptized in the blood of our fathers.
We are soldiers of II Government that has al
ways blessed us with prosperity and happi-
ness.
1t has given to every American citizen the
largest freedom and the most perfect equality
of rights and privileges. 1t has afforded US
security III person and property, and blessed us
until, under its benefccuL influence, we were
the proudest nation on earth.
We should be united in our efforts to put
down rebellion that now, like an earthquake
rocks the nation from State to State, and from
centre to circumference, and Threatens to Gu
gulph MS all in one common ruin, the horrors
of which no pen can portray. We have solemnly
sworn TO bear true faith to this Government,
preserve its Constitution and defend its glorious
iag against all its enemies and opposers. 10
our hands has been committed the liberties,
the prosperity and happiness Of future genera
tons. Shall we betray such u trust Shall
the brilliance of your past achievements be
dimmed and tarnished by hesitation, dscord
and dssention, while armed traiters menace
you in front and unarmed traitors intrigue
against you in the rear? We are in no way
responsible for any action of the civil authors.
ties. We constitute the military arm of the
Government.
That the civil power is threatened and at
tempted to be paralyzed is the reason for resort
to the military power To aid the civil author
tiles mot to oppose or obstrucD in the exercise
of their authority is our Office, and shall we for
get this duty aud stop to wrangle and dispute
over this or that political act or measure while
the country is bleeding ut every pore, while n
fearful wall of anguish wrung from the heart
of distracted people, is borne upon every
breeze, and widows aud orphans are appealing
TO us to avenge the loss of their loved ones, who
| Iaxya fall nj bn nll
blood-stained banner, and while the Temple OF
Liberty itself is being shaken to its very cen.
tire by the ruthless blows of traitors, who have
/, desecrated our flag, obstructed our national
highways, destroyed our peace, desolated our
fircsdes, aud draped thousands of homes in
mourning?
Let us stand firm at our posts of duty and OF
honor, yielding cheerful obedience to all Or
ders from our superiors, until, by our united
efforts, the Stars and Stripes shall be planted in
every city, town, and hamlet Of the rcbelious
States. We can then return To our homes and
through the ballOt-box peacefully redress all
our wrongs, If any we have.
While | rely upon you with confidence and
pride, blush to confess that recently some of
those who were once our comrades in arms
have SO far forgotten their honor, their oaths,
; and their country rs to shameTully desert US
and skulkingly make their way to their homes,
where, like culprits they dare not look an hon
est man in tho face Disgrace and ignominy
Qf they escape the penalty Of the law will not
! only follow them to their dishonored graves
but will stamp their names and lineage with
iniamy to the last generation. The scOrn and
. contempt Of every true man will ever follow
} those base men who, forgetful of their oaths
have, like cowardly spaniols, deserted theiI
comrades in arms in the face of the foe and
, their country in the hour Of its greatest peril
5 Every true.hearted mother or father, brother
sister, or wifo will spurn the coward who
: could thus not only disgrace himself bu
his name aud his kindred. An indelible
stamp of iniamy should be branded upon his
, cheek, that all who look upon his vile counte'
nance may feel for him the contempt his COW
ardice merits. Could | believe that such con
s duct found either justification or excuse in you
4 hearts, or that you would for a moment ialtel
! in our glorious purpose OF saving the nation
from threatened wreck aud hopeless ruin,
: would invoke from Deity rs the greatest boon
: common grave to save us from such infiny
, aud disgrace.
The day is not fur distant when traitors auC
= towards, North aud South, will cover belor,
the indignation of an outraged peple. Marc
/ bravely onward Nerve your strong arms Il
the task Of OverthrOwing every obstacle In th
pathway OF victory, until, with shouts Of tri
q umph, the last gun Is fred that proClaims us
I united people under the Old Flag and one gov
ernment Patriot soldiers this great wOrl
accomplished the reward for such service a