Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-07-31

MRS. JOHN A. LOGAN.
pedestal, which in turn stanrs upon n
mound within which is n crypt for the
reception of Logan's remains, from
which position il is a dominant object
In the park.
Crowds began 10 assemble along
Michigan avenue long before the exer-
rises began. Stands lining the broad
thoroughfare facing the monument,
and window space was at n premium.
As ] o'clock. the hour for the ceremo-
MES to begin, drew near, the jam be-
came a crush, but police precautions
were well taken and the people were
good natured. At about this time the
reviewing stand at the statue began
filing up with distinguished person.
ages. Governor Tanner of illinois;
Scofield of Wisconsin,; Mount of Indi-
ma; Holcomb of Nebraska: Atkinson
of West Virginia, and suits were
among the first to enter, led by the
presentation committee. Secretary OF
War Alger, as the presidents repre-
sentative, and the judges Of the SUI
preme and circuit courts came next;
then Geo. Il. Peck, the orator OF the
day, and Sculptor St. Gaudens. The
Logan family were among the last TO
enter the stand.
The boom of the cannon on board
the revenue cutters Gresham, Tessen-
hen and Calumet, anchored in h har-
Dor. announced the hour of / o'clock.
Then the Rev. Arthur Edwards deliv-
cred the invocation. Next Judge Hen
nv Blodgett of the federal bench, on
behalf Of the monument commission,
presented the statue 10 the state. AT
the word, and as the doomed
a salute. "Jack H." the 5-year-old
grandson Of the "Black Eagle" tugged
Mt the silken cord, the wells dropped
from the statue and the massed thou
sands sent up n mighty cheer, while
steam whistles added TO the din.
Then Governor Tanner, In a short
speech, accepted the statue in Behalf
Of the state and gave way to Orator
Peck.
Peck's Speech.
Illinois is proud and happy. Waiting
patiently for a fitting time, she opens all
her welcoming gates and bids the world
take note what breed Of men she rears.
Here is the product of her sou, and mere
she brings a mothers eXultant heart TO be
enshrined. This great city, the lake with
all it's breadth of waters, the pralries
stretching to the west, ana the
sky mingltng light and cloud in an ever
changing picture, are respondent Witness
es of the scene. The event, the hour and
the men are historic.
Once upon a day like this. the pulse OF
summer was beating hot and fierce, when
a great leader fell, as leaders must fall.
if il be so appointed. Some are here TO
whom it seems but yesterday. They re-
member the clustering pines, the thlckets,
dark with the foliage of July, the Spires
Of Atlanta wooing them forward, yet a lit
tie farther, and they remember. too, as
they will remember always, the message,
speeding Ike an arrow In its Hight that
told how Mcpherson lay dead in his har-
ness, ere yet his fame had passed its
dawn. Surely, ] am not wrong in saying
that never was this nation in more deadly
peril than when the army of the Tennes-
see was left, like some great ruderIess
ship, In The grasp of the storm.
what avail are men," avs CARLYLE,
when we must needs have a MANI, But
flashing, as was his won't. in that imperi-
Gus way which soon to parley with fate,
but subdued it with a glance. On that day,
July y, 1864, John A. Logan was born to
immortality.
Here we place mis- image for all gener-
atoms. Here we salute the soldier, the
statesman and the man., in memory of
that sublime moment when he took into
his keeping the flag, the issue n the
cause.
Anniversaries are harmonles; and, in OBJ
serving them, we set history TO music. On
that day, none looked forward to this.
But time has a magician's hand, and when
1t has transformed real things into
dreams, touches the dreams, and straight
way they are real again. Behold the
bronze ep!carma virumqne. to all who
shall gaze on tiissa lcrc.c features. Out
OF the past the battle OF Atlanta comes
back, distinct n cloar, though then but
a weltering struggle. The years give US
the perspective: and now we see, as we
could not, when the smoke OF battle was
over us, that devoted ~army-which was
the incarnate west-desperatAly facing the
foe, while n great thought filed every
having no other refuge. they took coun-
sch Of faith. and bravely trusted that all
would be well If he guided their fortunes.
beauty and. therein, If we but knew It,
shows its wisdom, Poems and songs are
links which unite Il to nature. and to hu-
man nature, which Is the flower OF all
vas, only that the picture nay speak the
universal language. 1t shapes ideals into
forms, as Phidias carved In the rude mar
Die those dreams Of beauty that haunted
can we eyer forget, while this brave figure
guards the city's front, that art Is the
true minister Of life? It's noblest concep-
tons rise from events which have moral
grandeur in them, from illumined mo-
ments, when some soul has reached Its
highest exaltation. Seeing hat they are
duu IL keeps tnen so IOreVermofss.
And yet, art does not create beauty, but
only serves il. The CLEAN Of a sword, the
bright colors OF n nag carried forward
with the advancing line, the depths OF
eyes with the famo of battle in them
are true artistic Inspirations, but they in
spiro only because they have a meaning
visible. not to sight but to insight.
The soldier in battle. does not conscious
iy, arrange dramatic situations. When
John A. Logan summoned destiny, rode,
sabered and spurred, along those bleeding
lines. beautiful In. the deep sense that
tie thought of the banners that wave for
him today. Goethe declared that genius
could always be known by its doing first
the duty that was nearest. THE readiness
Is ALL" is Shakespeare's way of speaking
the same great truth. The Crooks be-
ways came to port, but the truer knowl-
edge counts upon the practical skill Of the
man at the helm.
That day at Atlanta had none Of the ro-
mantle surroundings which give artificial
renown to battle fields. No pyramids hid
looked down upon them. It was not lodi,
where a general could dash across a
| bridge TO victory. There were no narrow
paths TO glory. 1t was breast-to-breast
fighting, such as seldom ZONES In any war;
= confused mass struggling against an
midst of them wes Logan. chies-not be-
cause Of his epaulets. hut because the
command has fallen on one who knew
what to do, and could not breathe until Il
He Is past all nattery. Shall we call him
brave? Others have worn that crimson
badge. Great men become types. Tlh
people single them out. with the ready