The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-27
Mr.. Blaine's Enlopy.

Mr.. Blaines Eu1ogy
AUGUSTA, Me-, Dec. ga reporter Of the
Associated Press called at Mr. Blaine's residence
soon after the intelligence of General Logan's
Death reached this city. Mr.. Blaine had left his
chamber. and, though lame from his recent ill.
ness. had come down to his library for the first
time. he said the announcement had come TO
nlm without his being in the least degree pre-
pared for it. He had heard only in the forenoon
mat General Logans condition was considered
critical. Mr.. 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 he came to Washington from his COM
mand in the field. II think" said Mr. Blaine,
1t was some time during the winter of 1863 that
oy mere accident. entered Mr. Lincoln's room
just as General Logan was leaving. The Presi-
dent introduced me to the General, and we had
very brief talk. Iremember," said Mr. Blaine.
that after General Logan had retired the Pres
loent eulogized him very highly, adding that it
was very fortunate. when so many generals had
fallen far below expectation to find few
tnat mad gone far beyond expectation,
and IN the latter class he gave Logan
eminent rank. But am not the one" said Mr.
biaine, to speak of General Logans military
rank; that can be far more fittingly done by his
brother officers and by the thousands of veterans
VINO are at this moment in tears over the death
OF their beloved leader in the war and their
wafchful and constant friend in peace History
has, think, definitely assigned General Logan
MS military rank-the highest of the
volunteer officers in the army of the
Union. My close acquaintance with
General Logan" continued Mr.. Blaine,
dates from his entrance upon his duties as Rep
af-Ia hA fiafh
gress He was elected to that post
in November 1866. From that time onward
our relations came to be friendly and intimate.
Occasional statements as to jealousies and rival
ries were without foundation. There was never
an unkind word between u.s. and SO far az /
know. neither had an unkind thought of the
other. say this knowing all it conveys, aud
knowing, also, all it contradicts"
Mr.. Blaine described General Logan ssas man
of immense force in legislative body. His
Will" said MIR. Blaine, twas unbending. His
courage, both moral and physical, was of the
highest order. / never knew 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.
In debate" said Mr.. Blaine, General Logan was
aggressive and effective. His best prepared and
longest sustained argument was speech he made
in the Senate during the Forty sixth Congress
against the restoration of Fitz John Porter to
the army. The speech occupied, if I remember
Alright. part of three days, and was marvellous
ly sustained throughout General Logan had
great feeling In that case, and had put
vast deal of study in it. General Logan
was a most indefatigable worker" said Mr.
Blaine; Ibis close relations with the volunteer
soldiers of the country involved an immense
correspondence and an immense labor, in addi
ton to the labor imposed upon him as leading
Senator from such large State as Illinois He
was punctual faithful man. and but for his
constitution of iron he could not have gone
through all the work put upon him. General
Logan's loss to the Republican party" said Mr.
Blaine, lis beyond computation. His personal
following in the party was very great, and among
the veterans he had almost the solid body. AS
party hsader General Logan was singularly
direct. manly and candid. His personal energy
and political power were strikingly shown in his
contest for Senator. perhaps the most memora-
BILE of the kind ever waged in the
United States The shock of his death
is so sudden, the sorrow it brings SO
KEEN" said Mr.. Blaine, ''that no full analysis
of this remarkable man can be giver at this
time Full tributes will, in due time, be paid
to his character and services. have had occa-
sion to say before, and / now repeat, that while
there have been more illustrious military leaders
in the United. States and more illustrous lead
ers in legislative halls. there has. l think, been
no man in this country who has combined the
two careers in so eminent degree as General
Logan"