The National tribune., 1897-07-29
LOGAN MONUMENT.
A Great Nation Pays Tribute to a
Great Commander.

The equestrian statue of Gen. John A.
Logan, in Lake Front Park, Chicago, was
dedicated with much ceremony, Thursday.
John A. Logan, Ill, five-year old grandson
of Black Eagle" pulled the string which
parted the walls concealing the magnificent
likeness of the great General as he led the
Union troops before Atlanta July %, 1854.
The dedication was National event The
Government was represented by Secretary of
War Alger, the Justices of the Supreme and
Circuit Courts, and these and Gov. Tanner,
of Illinois; Gov. Schoheld, of Wisconsin !;
Gov. Mount, of Indiana; Gov. Holcomb, of
Nebraska; Gov. Atkinson, of West Virginia,
occupied seats on the reviewing stand with
the Logan family-Mrs John A. Logan,
Major and Mrs. w. F. Tucker, Capt. and
Mrs. John A. Logan. Sculptor st. Gaudens
was seated near the family. George X. Peck
was orator of the day.
Henry w. Bodgett, Chairman Of the Pre-
sentation Committee, on behalf of the Com
nissioners presented the monument to the
State of Illinois Gov Tanner, in a brief
speech upon the unvailing, accepted the
monument on behalf of the State of Illinois,
and gave way to George r. Peck, who paid
eloquent tribute to the soldier statesman,
with whom he had served as a comrade-in-
arms. Comrade Peck said in part:
Some are here who remember the cluster
ing pines, the thickets dark with the foliage
| of July, the spires of Atlanta, wooing them
forward, yet little farther, and they re-
member, too, as they will remember always,
the message, speeding like an arrow in its
flight, that told how Mcpherson lay dead
in his harness ere yet his fame had passed
its dawn. On that day. July 90, 1864, John
Il. Logan was borne 10 immortality. Here
we place his image for all generations.
THAT day at Atlanta had none of the
romantic surroundings which give artificial
renown to battlefelds. There were no mar
row paths to glory. 1t was breast-to-breast
fighting, such as seldom comes in any war
confused mass, struggling against an enemy
that was everywhere. And, in the midst OF
them, was Logan.
Logan is our great volunteer. So they
have named him, aud so he will be known
when we are forgotten. But he was not a
mere fighter. He had rare genius OF leader
ship.
For what he believed to be right he
would fight in the Senate as undannfeily
as he fought on the field. He was for free
dom, and for all those great amendments OF
the CONSTITUTION that made freedom organic
in this Nation he was for the common sol
der who had felt, as he had at Donelson. the
wound, which is the soldiers best decora-
ton; he Was for the National honor on land
and sea.
He, more than any other, created the
Grand Army Of the Republic; that Organiza-
ton which makes us remember what we are
prone to forget. 1t was he who gave Us the
sweet observance of Memorial Day. 1t is
above all others our best loved holiday; our
festival OF memory, love and beauty"
Tine parade and review followed, the
troops being under command of Gen.
Brooke, of the Department of the Missouri
| U. S. Grant Post, Gen. Logan's old Post,
had the place of honor on the right OF the
line as escort to COmmander-in-C Chief Clark
son. Behind were hundred survivors OF
Gen. Logan's old regiment, the 3lst III.
Following them the Grand Army, nearly
IL, 900 strong. Behind the Union Veterans
marched ex-Confederates 300 strong. Be
| hind the SOutherners were $500 Regulars
The Governors of States with their stats
followed, and then came the Illinois Ma
tional Guard. Knights-Templar and
knights of Pythias followed. The rear
was brought up by Chicago mail carriers
and uniformed attachments of various civic
societies 1t is estimated that over 20, 00O
took part.
The pageant on land was supplemented
by the finest marine display ever seen on
Lake Michigan. Grouped around the revenue
cutters Gresham, FeSsenden and Calumet,
which were anchored just off the monument,
were nearly 300 vessels of the merchant
marine and private yachts.