Evening journal., 1910-07-02

No man ever accepted a nomination |
for Vice-President of the United States |
more reluctantly than did General |
John A. Logan in 1854. He was even |
more greatly distressed that political |
exigencies and the imperious com
mand of his party compelled his ac-
ceptance OF the nomination than was
Theodore Roosevelt I'm a similar po-
sition. Roosevelt at last decided to ac-
cept the nomination before II was
made. but Logan pleaded with his
friends at Chicago until he was ac-
tually nominated to make some other
choice for the honor.
A day or two before the conventions
notification committee, headed by ex-
Senator John B. Henderson, called on
! General Logan, In his modest home in
Washington, formally to appraise him
Of his selection as the running mate of
Blaine l was received by the General
I'm his home. l asked him what he in
tended saying 70 the committee.
Il shall not say anything much" he
said. Just a few words. It is a per-
/ functory performance. / haven't much
heart for IT," And then, briefly. he add
cd that one of the reasons he was un-
willing to enter the Presidential cam
] lhlkH dJlNtiN dc NdHulQdlt WAS Nnt
state Of his health Il have never fully
recovered from the serious rheumatic
troubles that affected me four yeafs
ago at the time ] made my speech in
the Senate in opposition t. the restor-
Ing OF General Fitz-JGnn Porter to the
retired list OF the Army" he explained.
Il made a part tof that speech while
suffering intsnse pain"
ives (.esL...t. ..-ti.a sth,t ,,-.r
apparent ITO all of US who heard you
and IL Was the common remark at the
time that nothing but your inflexible
wiz carried you through that long
lEpeech"
4 When the committee did can upon
General Logan, I was present at his
special invitation, TO witness the brief
ceremony had said when extending
the invitation 1T won't be much of a
scene" II was clearly apparent that
the General was not in the best OF
health. His complexion, always swar-
thy when he was IN health, had a sort
Of pasty hue. the contrast between II
and the dropping black mustache and
coal black hair was iinpressively strik
ing.
As he rose 70 receive the committed
he leaned heavily upon chair. He
listened 20 the remarks Of the chair
man as though he was either Indifferent
or I'm sort Of dream And when. after
few perfunctory and formal remarks
the Senator from Illinois began tc
sneak in reply. his hair fell over hi
forehead, there was curious unheal
thy brightness IN his eyes, and a tom
OF sadness I'M his voice which seemed
to impress greatly all Of us who hear'
u.
The ceremony over in a few minutes
the committee withdrew. and ] was lef
alone with the candidate l asked hin
If he were going 10 write a formal let
ter OF acceptance "Of course" he re
piled slowly, and then, after a mo
ment, he added, still speaking wit
solemn slowness;
1T is a great honor to be called b
the people OF this great republic
. serve as their Vice President II is
great honor TO be nominated for tina
office by a great party. But have m
misgivings. ! wish I felt in bette
physical health Some have though
that I am Indifferent TO the honor. Bl
that is not So am not a we'll man.
$ wish my party had chosen some or
of our leaders who is in perfe'
health"
Two years later John A. Logan Ia
4 dead; and have always believed thu
his primary reason for not wanting
Z, be nominated for the Vice President
with Blaine was that he knew eve
n then that he was I'm the first stages
= the organic disease which final
y brought him to his death bed, and tn
he had a premonition that IL he we
10 elected to the office he would not IL
" 10 serve his term.
Copyright, 1910, by p. J. Edwards. 4
Rights Reserved)
~ n, Mondav Mr. Edwards will tell