Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-12-30
Death Of Senator Lagan.

character in American politics was sud-
denly called away. The dispatches of
the day before, though causing grave
apprehension, had scarcely prepared the
public mind for the shock which the
news of his death caused. Though past
sixty years of age, his sudden death
seems like the termination of a career
just begun. So well preserved was he
that ne gave the impression of a man of
middle age. Despite his years of mill
tary service and his arduous public Ia
bors since the war, his hair was still
black and time had traced few burrows
upon his face. To multitudes of old SOL
diers and citizens of all classes and par
ties, he was hero and an idol His loss
to his state and to the nation is too great
to be estimated. His work is still un-
finished, and there is no one to complete
it.
Born in Southern Illinois, when it was
yet new and wild country, settled
mainly by poor whites from the border
slave states, his early advantages of
education were very limited. While
hardly more than boy, he enlisted as
a private soldier and took part in the
Mexican war. Returning after peace
was re-established. he began the stady
of law and was admitted to the bar.
From the first he had those qualities
that win popular favor, and since his
earliest manhood he has been almost
constantly in public life, beginning as
district attorney OF his county, con-
tinuing as a member of the Illinois
legislature, and next member of con-
gress. He was twice elected to con-
gress before the war of the rebellion,
and resigned his seat to enter the Union
army. Up to that time he had been a
Democrat Of the most pronounced type,
and one of Douglas lieutenants. BY
his violent sntipathy to Abolitionists
and the Anti-Slavery party he quickly
became prominent in congress, and
secured the hearty hostility of the Re-
publicans. After the breaking out of
the war he became one of the staunch-
est supporters of the Union cause, and
emerged from that great struggle with
brilliant military reputation and with
rooted aversion to the party with
which he had formerly been associated.
From that period he was among the
most radical of Republicans, and for a
time in the house of representatives,
and subsequently in the senate, became
one of the Republican leaders. was a
prominent candidate for the Republican
nomination for the presidency in 1884,
and was nominated for vice president.
Seldom has the death of an American
public man evoked such hearty, spon-
taneous, and generous encomiums ON
his life, character, and public services as
in the case of Gen. Logan. The press
of the country is unanimous in pronounce
ing him straightforward, thorough
going, and incoruptible public man.
The papers vie with each other in eulogy
of his courage, his gallantry, and his
military skill. The Chicago Tribune
says, 'His death is an irreparable Ma
tional loss, for he leaves no one behind
who can adequately fill his place" The
Chicago Herald; 'By the death of Gen.
Logan Illinois loses its most conspicuous
citizen. Born on its SOIL it was his
honest desire to honor the state which
honored him." And of his military SER
vices: General Logan's services on
the field were of inestimable value to his
country. OF commanding figure and
most striking appearance, brave to the
point of rashness, quick TO see where
fighting was needed and dauntless in
attack, he was the Hancock of the South
western armies, & superb field officer, a
leader of leaders and 4 hero of heroes.
New York Tribune: Though the gram.
mar of his speeches was criticised theii
effectiveness never was. His utterances
were not meant to conceal his thoughts
lie excelled in the art of plain and power
full statement. His speech was as sin
cere rs his political career" New York
Times: ''He was firm friend and
manly foe"
The Sentinel ascribes the cause of hi:
death indirectly TO over-work. There
is no reasonable doubt that the fata
character of Gen. Logan's illness may
be traced to the wearing nature of The
work he performed. Gen. Logan hard
ly knew what rest was, and every day
the burden increased. When disease
laid its hand upon him he did not have
the vitality to resist it. And SO he died
when his life gave the most promise.
The grief of Mrs. Logan over the loss
of her distinguished husband can only
be estimated by those who are acquaint
ed with the extraordinary attachment
which existed between them-th strong
affection and confidence of the one anC
the equally strong affection and un
swerving loyalty of the other. She wa.
completely Frustrated by the blow, and
for hours was herself in critical con
dition. The letters and kilograms o
coincidence from all parts of the country
though sincere and heartfelt, were al
unheeded by her.
While the grief of the nation in the loss
of soldier, hero, q statesman and ,
patriot is great, her grief in tho los
of husband whose ambitions anC
labors she had always shared. out
weighs all others.
The Senate bill for the allotment o
lands in Severalty to Indians was passe,
by the House last week, with amend
,,,aptS accommodated hv tho 10