American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1881-09-17
Logan rs a Rebel Sympathieer.

The following letter in regard to the
attitude of John A. Logan during the
period Immediately preceding the late
civil war is an interesting contribution
to the history of that event, especially
in view OF the claim of the Illinois Sen
ator to represent and embody the Stall
wart element of Republicanism:
Mt. VERNON, Ill, August II. 1881.
To the Hon. Ben Hill. Atlanta, Ga
My DEAR SIR: The smoke Of battle having
cleared away, 1t is perhaps rot inappropriate
to notice the acts and conduct Of the partici-
pants In the Senate of the United States
last winter | noticed Il discussion between
This State, in VIII CHI the honorable senator
took occasion to make IL broad denia or the
charges long lad at his door of his dsloyalty
AT the breaking ont of the war. While L do
not des re to reopen a matter that may be SO
annoying to the honorable Senator, yet l
tbink it but fair an right that the other side
Ih,ve known Mr.. Logan for many. years:
a the ncginning Of the War At that time he
was a me.nber of the House from the , Ihlr-
ing a democratic paper at this place. I well
remember MIR. Logan of that day US he most
ult man in politics IN the state; i, II tar
of Southern Illinois seeding and joining the
Confederacy. In 1861. near James j. t1t:ger,
aids, in this county. he m ide n spe ech filled
with the most vindictive epithets upon the Ad.
ministration-in fact language seemed to tail
him in denouncing the - unholy War;" And
among the mild ~ sentences he used well re
member the following made by Mr.. Logan the
NAV my tongue cIeave to the roof of my
mouth and my right arm wither should ever
take up arms against my brethren OF the
South
hundreds of men besides myself who are to-
In McLcansboro, Hamilton County, ILL.,, on
Tuesday. the 2st day of May, 1851. MIR. Logan
drew his bowie-knife and threatened, in the
most abusive language to cut down the stars
and stripes which were then over the Court
House, because, he said, it was placed there rs
an insult to him rs member OF the Demo-
attic party in Sou hern Illinois These re-
marks were made in the presence of many
g. Oh citizens, whose NAMES will he produced
if required. These reasonable actions and
utterances were continued by Mr.. Logan un.
til he received visit from messenger of
Governor Yates, who. At the time, was "A regu-
larry appointed special Deputy United states
Marshal. This officer called upon Mr. Logan
at his home in Jackson County. armed with
two weapons ony, one II commission TO re-
cruit and orIanize regiment Tor the Federai
army: the other an order duly signed for the
arrest of John A. Logan as a Rebel sympa-
thizer. Mr.. Logan was given his choice-the
is still in existence and at command
no 'i teason for max ny the Statements other
than Il desire to see the facts go into history
was presented with the all ernative of a COM
mission or an arrest He was compelled to
leave Centraiia, in TINS state on special en-
Court, which was convenng for the purpose
of trying Mr.. Loean for reasonable utter
uals in this communication, thinking 1t better
to produce them in a future article in case a
den al is made for the honorable gentleman's
benefit, and that the true facts may go into
history l hand you this through the press
Any Information you may desire In reference
o me. | refer you to the Hon. X. w. Town
shend, meTnbe- of the House from this dis
trict, the Hon. Sam S. Marshall, formerly
member and TIE Hon. Thomas S. Casey, one
of the Judges of the Appellate Court of this
State. Very res ectfully,
EDWARD V. SATTERFIEI.D.