The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-05-28
Gen. Logan's Triumph.

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No event, outside of a pivotal State, or
a national election, could have occasioned
more sincere qualification among Repub-
licans than the choice by the Illinois Leg
islature of Gen. Jno. A. Logan to be
United States Senator from that State for
six years from the 4th of March last. The
struggle will pass into history as memora-
bic. In the election of the Legislature
last fall, the most fragrant frauds were
perpetrated in one of the election precincts
in Chicago by the managers of the Demo
cratic campaign, the perpetrators of which
were not only indicted, but convicted, and
are now fighting in the courts ON techni-
cal points to keep out of the Penitentiary.
Had this first attempt to defraud the peo-
pie out of their rights been successful,
the result would have been one majority
for the Democrats in the Legislature.
Successive ballots were taken as between
Logan, the nominee Of the Republicans,
and Morrison, the Democratic nominee,
without definite result. There were
several weak Republicans and several re-
calcitrant Democrats, who now and then
voted against their party's candidate to
prevent an election. During the progress
of the canvass three members of the
Legislature died-one Republican and two
Democrats. On the death of the last
Democrat, who represented a district
where his party had a majority Of 1900
the special election resulted in the return
of Republican by over 800 majority
This was brought about by Democratic
apathy and Republican vigilance. An eff
fort was made to deprive him OF his seat
for time, by flibustering and partizan
rulings on the part of the Speaker, but
finally he was recognized and sworn in
Then came the tug of war. The forces of
each of the parties were present to a
man, and when the crucial test came. the
result was 103 for Logan, amajOrity OF two
over the entire Democratic vote, So of
which had been cast for Judge Tree, who
had been selected to make the fight, after
the name of Mr.. Morrison had been with
drawn.
During the prolonged contest, which
commenced on the 4th Of January and
closed on the 10Th of May, there was not
a questionable act or suggestion which
came from the Republicans Gen. Logan
was present conducting his own canvass
and from it's inception to its conclusion.
and throughout the entire exciting ordeal,
he bore himself as the honorable, brave,
true man that he is. Between him and
his competitor, MI. Morrison, the most
| friendly relations were observed land moth
Ing occurred to disturb the cordial friend
ship which existed between them. Not
withstandiDg the partiZan devices and re-
sorts of the Democrats, before and during
! the contest it is freely acknowledged that
neither Mr.. Morrison nor Judge Tree
countenanced any illegitlmate OF unfair
movement or plan. So far as the candi-
dates themselves were concerned their
conduct was such as became gentlemen
aspiring to the exalted position in contro-
versy. But the Democratic party mana
gers stopped neither at attempted bribery
nor anything else that was disreputable, to
carry their point, but could not They
were foiled i'll every project and defeated
in every encounter. until finally they were
circumvented. having to bear the sting of
defeat as well IS the reproach of brazen
| wrong-doing.
The result sent a thrill of JOY to Repub-
licans throughout the length and breadth
of the land. 1t was announced by the
boom of cannon, the display Of fire works
and bunting and wild rejoicing that de-
monstrated how strong hold the brave,
true man has upon his party friends. And
this not because of the great personal tri-
umph, but for the reason that the cause
he represents will have still the services of
one of its ablest and most intrepid advo-
! Gates and defenders on the floor of the
Senate, for six years longer, unless he
should be called to higher honors.
1t was the triumph of great man and
a great cause and was a proper event for
the outburst of enthusiasm which greeted
its announcement from one end of the
country to the other.
The First Steps.