Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 May 1898 — FATHER OF MEMORIAL DAY. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FATHER OF MEMORIAL DAY.

Gen. John A. Logan Was the Inspiration of the Observance. When the few gray-haured veterans of the great war for the Union met together in annual observance of Memorial Day, few bear in mind that the day itself as a part of the national life is the result of the inspiration of the greatest of all the volunteer soldiers who fought for the flag, Gen. John Alexander Logan of Illinois. Few, indeed, of those not associated with the organization of old soldiers remember this. But such is the fact. The soldier statesman who won his spurs in actual fight and refused to accept peaceful, honors while the war was still on, one of the first, if not the first, of the list of honored comrades who headed that organization, is the originator of the day of sorrowful remembrance of the bravery and virtues of those who fell in battle or who have crossed the river since the conflict ended. Few warriors of ancient or modern times achieved as great distinction and won as high rank in the service as Gen.

Logan. While, to be technically accurate, he cannot be classed as the officer of the Federal army who reached the highest grade from the volunteer organization, it is true that he won the highest rank on the smallest degree of military education and preparation. Grant, Sherman and Sheridan are all classed with the volunteers. The former two had severed their connection with the army and re-entered it as volunteers at the opening of the war. But both were skilled soldiers and graduates of the national school of war. Besides they had had years of actual experience on the frontier, and were recognized as capable officers from the time they took the field. Logan had no such preparation. He had fighting blood and common sense as his sole military education, unless a limited amount of-schooling might be called his from the part he played as a volunteer in the war with Mexico.

GEN. JOHN A. LOGAN.