Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-30

90 not Oluer as 10 the
A. RAJ duty of honoring man.
hood and patriotism.
The Illinois Republican Association comes to
renew its memories of that honored leader who
drew his earliest breath in our wonderful Ili-
nois. All who join us are welcome. For such
kindly service We thank them in behalf of Illi-
nois. To whatever nation, church or political
faith they may belong. on this day and in this
cause we welcome them.
We all know the deep sympathy the kindly
reoollections which will always bind the hearts
of all Grand Army men. of all old soldiers to the
sacred memory OF their sleeping comrades. We
can all conceive of the pure affection and we all do
realize the holy love which brings them on
each recurring Memorial day to lay flowers
upon the tombs OF comrades gone before.
The poet has said:
kind words will never die;"
to which may justly add:
Kind deeds shall live forever
The deeds these old soldiers perform on this
day and on other days like this are diamonds
which shall never grow dim. They will sparkle
In the light Of all future time, and make
brilliant the armament of eternal glory where
patriot souls are enshrined. But you soldiers
you who wore the blue-you vino claim brother
hood with the dead-are clothed with a panoply
of honor and are entitled to q share of the
renown of the departed heroes.
We grant all this-we who were not soldiers
We bend our knees where the soldiers of the
nation lie under the weeping willows, and,
while we glorify them, we can honor YOU who
stood beside them in life. We can nav our
tribut to their hallowed dust while We add our
laurels to your crowns.
But the great soldier who rests in this spot !
What may say OF him? How shall speak Of
him9 Logan, the hero Of the west; Logan. the
volunteer soldier; Logan. the fearless ora
tor OF the Senate; John A. Logan, the idol Of
his loved state of Illinois.
We OF Illinois knew him as q man, we were
rod hxvh ia fx,a u,
der why in the providence of God our hero was
taken, while we remain to wear the Grape and
to deck this tomb with these tokens of our sor-
rowing love.
The voice that seems hushed within this ST.
lent sepulchre still speaks to me; it welcomes
me as Of old. The words that do not break the
silence here still bid me that familiar good
bye" at his door; the hand which seems forever
at rest still clasps mine, and his hand-shake
thrills me as keenly ever il did.
He Is not dead! Logan is not deadl A
patriot does not die An American patriot
cannot die! While honor lives the hero lives:
while freedom lives the freeman lives, ana
while American honor and freedom live
will John A. Logan live.
His life is here before us. see him and
know him still where yonder dome covers the
forum of his greatness. I see him and know
him still as look upon every battle field where
his bravery was shown. i see him and know
him still at every spot in Illinois where his
manly voice was ever heard; and on every flag
staff where our proud and shining ensign floats
and on every foot of ground projected by that
flag see and know that our brave soldiers are
not dead, and / see and know and feel that
while America shall live viii John A. Logan
live.
Col. Geo. G. Ross at Logan's Tomb.
The designation Of May 80 for memorial
services was first suggested BY Gen. Logan,
end he has been heard to say ut was the
proudest act Of my Ife." Although laden
with natures choicest flowers, and ON our
march to bedeck the graves of our patriot dead,
it is most fitting that We pause for a time att
tomb Of the great general who first conceived
and put in practice this beautiful custom. II IL
but an oft repeated truism to say that Logan
was q friend Of the soldier; always prodigal in
danger to himself he would yet save his men
from needless exposure: with noble bearing
and flashing eye he was wont to throw himself
into the thickest Of the fray-oftimes wrench
ing victory from the grasp Of defeat
Lacking in so-called military education he
was yet imbusd with the genius Of . COM
mander and no other general was richer in
magnificent victories. His men worshiped
him; his voice was music; his presence an in
spifation; he never followed. but always led,
and the splendid victories Of Fort Donelson.
Vicksburg. Champion hills. Raymond, Resaca,
kenesaw mountain, Peach Tree creek, Decatur,
Atlanta and Jonesboro' were in no small degree
attributable 70 his magnetic presence. Shakes
peare says that Julius Ceser was the foremost
man Of all the world; this for the reason that he
combined in himself the highest qualities Of gem
eral and statesman. Gen. Logan had this re-
Variable com animation Had he fallen while
leading the charge on Atlanta il would still be
said Of him that he was the greatest volunteer
soldier Of the civil war-resching in matchless
valor the chivalrous Godfrey Of Bouillon; lie
the Duke Of Wellington he supplemented his
military name and fame BY more than twenty
years Of distinguished services In the halls Of
national Legislation II was here that he eaye
the most substantial proofs Of being
TEE soLprrns' rnrrxp.
BE was always the champion OF theft causs.
and much Of the legislation that gave bread 70
the orphan and kept the disabled soldier from