The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1891-06-12
The story of his campaign for the life

conversation, not intended for publica.
ton; but am sure this keen, success
full, practical man and loving father will
not object IL give the lesson OF his vic
tory to my readers, that they may fol-
low his example when death sets foot
within their doors and threatens to carry
off their little ones. If one precious lit
tie life may be saved by this means, ]
know Mr.. Elkins will be glad Of the pub
licity which give to his story.
Speaking of Mr.. Blaine and his illness
reminds me of an incident related to me
recently by Senator Cullom, OF Illinois,
We were talking about presidential am
billions and possibilities ~ confess, v
said Senator Cullom, ''that at different
times in my life have had thought of
the possibility that might some day be
president of the United States, as sup
pose every man in public life, and many
men not in public life, have had. But a
few years ago ! learned one lesson,
which sank deep into my soul, and which
can never be effaced. 1t was when
stood by the bedside of dying John A.
Logan, and held the hand of that great
man as he passed from this life to the
next. There was strong, ambitious,
admirable man, who for many years had
given himself up to the noble ambition
to be president Of the United States. 1t
is not saying anything against Logan
for loved him too well to be capable of
criticising him now-to say that for
number of years almost every act and
thought of his life was governed directly
or indirectly by his ambition to be presi-
dent He had worked and shaved and
schemed and given up his life to his as
piration. Yet here came memorable
death, no respecter Of persons or pros
poets, and struck him down just as the
cup for which he had so long struggled
was about to be offered to his eager lips.
81 say this because there is no ques-
ton among public men Of all parties
that if Logan had lived he would have
been president. His was the saddest
death ever knew, and my thought as
stood holding his hand and feeling it
grow colder and colder within my grasp,
was that the presidential rainbow is
one which no man. can afford to- chase.
If it comes to him in the natural course
of events he is fortunate. But til is fool
ish to seek it when untimely death may
at any moment step in and wrest from
him the fruits of all toll and all devo-
tion."
For fear that am writing too much |
on solemn topics, will now tell a lighter
story, which was also told me by Sena-
tor Cullom. 1t concerns Charles A. |
Dana, the great editor Of the New York |
Sun. During the war the accounts Of |
the war department became so much in
volved that it became advisable to or.
ganize commission to go to Cairo, nls.,
where most of the trouble was, and
straighten it out. Senator Cullom and
Mr.. Dana were asked by Mr.. Lincoln to
become members Of this commission,
and consented. They went down tc
Cairo, where the quartermasters &C.
counts were in frightful confusion.
Hundreds of men were claiming pay for
horses and other supplies of which there
were no records. 1t was the duty of the
commission to pass on these claims,
weed out the bad from the good, and
clear up the books. Of course the claim
ants were both numerous and insistent,
md the members of the commission
we're besieged from early morning till
ate at night
One day Mr.. Dana had been taking
walk through the town. and came into
be Otnce OF the commission with thun-
Ter cloud hanging upon his brow In a
the storm broke. Great God,
,ullom!' he exclaimed, "will you take {
ook at me? Look at me carefully.
faze into my eyes, scan me all over and
hen answer me truthfully." Cullom
nd his colleagues did not know what to
lale of this strange speech. For mo-
lent they thought Mr.. Dana had gone
razy. Look me over, Culloin, and all
you" Dana exclaimed excitedly and ,
land tell me if l look so much
lore like id thief than the rest of Z
on. Three times today have | been
pproached by fellows who have horse
aims against the government, and Of
red bride if | would see to it that
leir claims We're put through. If | :
ally look as much like thief as this 7
ould indicate, for Gods sake tell me,
} can go off some place and shoot my ,
If" WALTER WELLMAN. y