Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1886-12-30
AUDUBON CO., IOWA, THURSDAY, DECI
LOGAN's CHARACTER ESTIMATED,
Interviews with the Prominent Men
OF Ihe Nation.

Interviews and comments about the
death and character of Gen, Logan have
engaged the newspapers since the sad
event was flashed over the wires. There
is uniform expression Of surprise and
sorrow, and the verdict Of discriminating
minds accord the deceased high nla
in the ranks of the great men Of the
nation.
President Cleveland said he was mex.
pressibly shocked by the news From
his own limited personal acquaintance
he had formed high opinion of him rs
sincere, frank and generous man, and
his loss would be very sensibly felt by a
host of personal friends throughout the
country who had become attached to him
because of his qualities of heart and by
the people at large whom he had served
well as a Union soldier and In the high
( branch of the National Legislature.
A reporter for the Associated Press
called at Blaine's residence in Augusta.
Maine. soon after the intelligence of
General Logans death reached the city
Blaine had left his chamber. and though
very lame from his recent illness, had
come down to his library for the first
time. He said the ann ,uncement hal
come to him without his being in the
least prepared for it. He had heard only
in the forenoon that General Logan's
condition was considered critical Blaine
discussed General Logan's characteristics
freely. He had not personally known
the General before the war. and had met
him for the first time when Gen. Logan
came to Washington from his Command
In the field. II think" said Blaine. Iii
was some time during the winter Of 1858
that, by mere accident, | entered Lincoln's
room just as General Logan was leaving
The President introduced me to the Gen.
and we had very brief talk ] remem.
Der. said Mr. Blaine, that after Gen,
Logan had retired, the President eulo-
gized him very highly. adding that IL was
very fortunate when so many Generals
had fallen far bel, expectation to find
few that had gone far beyond expecta-
ton, and in the latter class he gave
Logan an eminent rank. But | am not
the one said Mr.. Blaine. Ito speak Of
General Logan's military rank. That
can be far more tittingly done by his
brother officers and by the thousands OF
veterans who are at this moment IN tears
over the death Of their beloved leader
In war. and their watcbful and con-
slant friend in peace History has, /
think. definitely assigned Logan his
military rank-the highest of volun-
teer officers in the army OF the Union.
My close acquaintance with Gen Logan
dates from his entrance upon his duties
as representatives at large from Illinois in
the Fortieth Congress. He was elected
to that post in November, 1865 From
that time on our relations came to be
friendly and intimate. Occasional
statements as to jealousies and
rivalries were without foun-
dation. There never was an unkind
word between us, and so far as know,
neither had an unkind thought of the
other. say this knowing all 1t conveys
and knowing also all it c1ntradicts." Mr..
Blaine described Logan as man OF i'm
mense force in legislative body. His
will, said Mr.. Blaine. was unbending;
his courage both moral and physical.
was of the highest order. never knew
a more fearless man. He did not quail
before public opinion when he had once
made up his mind any more than he did
before the guns of the enemy when he
headed charge of his enthusiastic
troops" Speaking of Logan in debate,
Mr.. Blaine said that his longest and best
prepared speech was that which he made
against the restoration Of Fitz John Por-
ter to the army. Logan had great feel
ing in the case and put large amount of
study in it. Mr.. Blaine thought Logan's
loss to the Republican parry beyond com
putation. He knew of no man who had
combined in SO eminent a degree the ca
reers of soldier and statesman as had
Logan.