Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-12-27
FROM WASHINGTON.

r
WASHINGTON, ID. g., Dec. 81, 1856.
The impression, more especially in repub
lican circles, in this city, Is that the death
of Gen. Logan is a severe blow to the re-
publican party. Logan was the idol of the
Union soldier element, their descendants
and sympathiZsrs, and now that he is dead
there is no great campaign orator Of martial
aspect and deeds of war to take his place on
the republican side. Wherever Logan
spoke to the veterans" ~ they arc STYLED.
his hold on them seemed as strong as the
clutches Of bear. HI led them as no other
republican could or ever will again, and the
loss of his influence on the Union military
organizations Of the country will be serious
ly felt by the republicans in their next
Presidential campaign. A dispatch from
Richmond to the effect that Logan was of
extraordinary popularity with the republi
cans Of Virginia, and that John S. Wise was
looking to him as the republican nominee
for the Presidency in 1855 is only partially
true. Malone did not want Logan at Chi
cago for either place on the ticket, and held
his delegation there in such wise like grip
that Logan only received ono vote that of
VIM. E. Sims, for first place. Malone had
retired to his hotel and was not present in
convention when the second place was con.
ferred Oh Logan. Indeed the fact that Sims
had deserted to Logan was enough of itself
to arouse the tyranncal spirit of Malone,
and make him to feel that Logan was in tho
situation of the receiver who had been
caught with the stolen plumber in his pos
session. AS to Mr.. Wise, he declined the risk
Of being for anybody before the convention
met, and only became enthusiastic TOR Blaine
and Logan after they had bsen nominated.
1t ia also fact that Logan most cordially
II oil bad hn dos In, l,oI, I.
dealing with party matters in Virginia. He
frequently said so and frequently indicated
his desire to help along Riddeberger in his
controversies with Malone in the Senate.
He stated to Postmaster Button, of Lynch
burg, that he thought he should vote for bis
confirmation, and TO COL Scott, U. S. Mar.
shall, he said at his residence, in the presence
of several friends of Scott that he.saw no
reason for an adverse report in the case
and hoped Scott would be confirmed Had
Logan lived the small remnant of republi
cans that will probably be found fighting
against the Malone machine in 'SS would
have divided between him and Blaine. But
with John Sherman in the field Wise as well
as Malone and all their following would
have gone against Logan as the next nomi-
nee, and unless some decisive change of the
situation takes place Sherman will be their
man against all corners. After Sher-
man it will be matter of barter with
them and they will support the man
who promises most to support them.
Had Logan lived and been elected the next
President it is not certain that he would
have called Malone to his Cabinet. Blu: if
Sherman should be, there is no doubt of
Mahone's getting one of the port folios
Indeed the chances are that promise to
that effect has already been made. The
last book that Gen. Logan read was the late
biography of Gen. Il. Z. Lee. AS his feeble
ness increased and the use of his hand was
rendered ineffective, ne asked Miss Rixford,
visitor at his house, to read aloud to him.
This she did and finished the memories"
the day before he was fatally stricken down.
Gen. Logan expressed to Miss Rixford his
high admiration of Gen. Lees character
both as good and great man, but he con-
sidered S;onewall Jackson the greatest
soldier the South produced. The General
in his Last illness expressed his pleasure at
the testimonial be received in the summer
of1SS4, signed by 500 ex.coniedeIate soldiers
living in the Valley of Virginia. and said
there were few things that ever happened
to him that gratifed him more than did
this tribute from the fighting men who were