The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-12-30

LocAN's DECISION.
The Tide OF secessIonlst Feeling
which his Wife Helped to stem.
A Day Long Remembered In South
ern Illinois.


In 1860 the general was reelected to Con-
gress, and Mrs. Logan spent that memorable
winter at the capital with him. Hardly had
they returned than the news came Of the fall
Of Sumter, and, In response to President Lin
coins proclamation cOnvening the new Con-
gress In extra session. the general was forced
to hurry back to Washington. Mrs. Logan
remained at home in Marion, whittier the
family had removed from Benton. and her
position now became one Of extreme difieul-
ty. The generals constituents were largely
Southerners, or persons of Southern descent,
who had settled In that part Of Illinois, and
were thoroughly in sympathy with the
Southern cause, and they were all impatient
to know what tha generals course would be-.
His speeches In the House OF Representatives,
had already revealed his determination TO adj
here TO the Union, and at the battle Of Bull
Run, instead Of remaining at Washington.
regiment, and fought with II that day. He
was in citizens dress, and Mrs. Logan still
has the suit he wore on that historic day.
Whsnit became known, therefore, after
the battle, that the general was about TO re-
turn to his district and publicly announce
the coulse he intended to pursue, there was
the greatest excitement among his cOnstitu-
ents. People even forgot TO attend their or
dinary vocations, business was suspended,
and the farmers neglected their crops and
came pouring into Marion. then a little town
Of 1000 Inhabitants, TO await their represen-
tatives return and hear what he had TO say.
Mrs. Logan foresaw that in the excited state
Of the public mind everything would depend
upon the circumstances under which her hus-
band made the announcement Of his inten-
ti0ns. She could not venture out Of doors
without crowd collecting about her and
questioning her concerning her husband, and
she felt that it was Of the utmost consequence
that he should be able TO secure a fair audi
ence and be able to exert his personal infiu-
enee TO stay the threatening stampede Of the
SecessiOnists. Many who were afterward
stanch supporters OF the Union were then
undecided In opinion, and she knew that the
slightest untoward event might turn the
scales. 1t was essential, indeed, for him 10
retain their confidence, and by his arts Of
persuasion convince them that his was the
only reasonable and patriotic course to pur-
sue. Already resolutions Of secession had
been introduced at the meetings in his dis
trict, and Mrs. Logan and her husbands
friends, in endeavoring TO restrain public
opinion until their representative could per-
sonally appear and declare his views, had a
most delicate and dangerous role to play.
On the day set for his arrival she drove In
buggy all the way 10 Carb0ndale, the near
est railway station, and twenty-five miles
away, 10 meet him; but learning there that
the train by which he was TO have arrived
udu missed cOuuectiOus lulmculdLtiJ tutucu
about and drove back TO Marion. IL was
evening when she reached there, and the
streets were still full Of people. They
crowded in a mass around her buggy, and de-
manded TO know why her husband had not
accompanied her. Col White, then clerk Of
the court, and her father, Capt. Cunning
ham, exerted themselves to pacify the mob,
but 1t was not until the sheriff. Mr. Swindell,
stood up In his buggy and urged the crowd
to disperse, assuring II that Logan would
surely be there In the morning and address
them that the clam0r could be quelled. Once
released from her unpleasant, IL not perilous
position. Mrs. Logan turned her horse
around and in the darkness pluckily set out
again ON that long ride 10 Carbondale. IL
was O'Clock in the morning when the train
which bore her husband rolled into the d.
pot but without waiting 10 refresh them
selves, they secured fresh horse, and by
daylight they were again at Marion. The
town was still fun of people pacing the
streets, but ON perceiving that Gen. Logan
had really arrived, and on receiving his
promise to address them at II o'clock, they
made no demonstration. That was a morn
ing the people Of Southern Illinois will never
forget. At the hour appointeda wagon was
d avn up in the public square, FROM which
the general addressed vast audience. There
were those present who had sworn to take
his life II he declared for the Union. but at
the conclusion Of his speech he quietly got
down from the wagon and was not dis
turbed