The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-01-07
LOGAN IN THE LEGISLATURE.
an Incid emit or the Senator's Early Legis
70 i've Career,
Irlnr IN Il Tiraaa

% tive career,
lLincoln tI1.) Iinesl
The friends Of General John A. Logan are
fond Of abiding 80 the supposed Indian orr
gin of Their hero, and even fancy that he is
q lineal descendant Of that famous Mingo
Chief of the same name. The truth is, he is
OF Irish ds cent, his father moving 20 Amer
ira only '9rse years before the General was
oorn.
1t % BE- as Il may, he possesses many
Ie., olances TO his alleged ancestors, both
in - character and in his features. There
are many incidents in his lie which exhibit
the FIRE OF his aboriginal prototypes. Scarcely
q session Of Congress but he has several
yol1ble and sulphuT0us TencOunters with
one or another of his associates. Some Of
his hottest fought battles have been n nat
arena; notably the prOtTacted and Ter many
years successful opposition 70 the FitE John
Porter bill.
One Of his most daring fights was made
when be frat entered the Illinois Lsgisls-
ture He was but thirty years of age, and
came as the representative OF Jackson
County. at that time he was Democrat
OF the ''most strictest sect" aud being
young man, was much more fiery and i'm
TstuoUs than now. The Republicans had
ected William II. Bissell Governor. Bis
II hsd served in Congress, and being
hrili-nt, dsshing speaker, had offended the
Southern chivalry OF jefferson Davis, which
resulted in challense from that rash leader
in rebellion and its prompt acceptance by
Bissel. The matteg was bridged over by
mutual friends, so that an encounter on the
so-cslled field Of honor vas avoided The
constitution of the Safe at that time made
anyone who had sent or accepted challenge to
fight a duel ineligible for the Office of
Governor. This point was not raised against
Bisseu during the canvass, but the willy Lo-
gan, though it was his first appearance as
member Of public assembly, and he was
unknown outside OF his county, daring TO
raising the question after election. rssoluts-
| ~ set TO work to prevent Bisselrs inaugurs-
ton. The Governor took the reqtired oath,
however. bat when he tTansmi 5ted his mes
| sage to the House the sWarthy and hitherto
unknown member from Jackson opened the
| Aood-gates Of his wrath. and for two days
poured the bitterest denunciatioBs upon
| the head Of the surprised old Gov
ernor. Logan reviewed the whole ground,
proved by undenisble facts that Bissell
| lad accepted challenge to fight duel;
| quoted the oath Of Office, which prescribed
| duelists q persons who had sent or accepted
| challenges and deduced the conclusion that
| the old veteran who had just taken the oath
was 3 liar. The whole house was astounded
ct the sUdacity Of the young member and
Ae scsthing character Of his lengthy speech.
| Bissell justified his action On the ground that
when he accepted the challenge from Davis
| be was q member Of Congress and was out
| OF the jurisdiction OF the State of Illinois.
| Technically he was, perhaps, correct, but
| Logan's aIraignment gave him deep
| wound, and il no doubt fastened his death.
| The attack fell upon him like blow from
| trip-hammer. He died before his term Of
| Office expired.