Page:The part taken by women in American history.djvu/30

Rh Jack' Logan had one surpassing advantage over his competitors, that being Mrs. John A. Logan." Indeed, Mrs. Logan, ever passionately eager to assist her husband, had accompanied him to the Capital and there had begun her career as a potent factor in this, his first candidacy for the Senate. When upon the assembly of the Republican caucus, Logan was found to have more than three to one votes over his rivals and the announcement was made that John A. Logan was Senator, among the first to reach his late opponent's hand was Governor Oglesby and he followed his congratulations with a sly gallantry to the effect that perhaps it was not that the people loved Oglesby less, but Mrs. Logan more.

In 1877 occurred General Logan's next fight for the Senate, and again Mrs. Logan, assisted now by her beautiful and versatile daughter, displayed those admirable qualities of diplomacy, tact, and practicality which had always proved so potent. John A. Logan, himself, made more frequent reference than anyone else to his wife's diplomacy, affection and unwavering loyalty as a devoted wife and helpmate.

Great strength of character was now required on the part of Mrs. Logan to avert an occurrence which she, with her honest, sane view of life, would have regarded as a catastrophe—a severance of her individuality from that of her husband's. Mary Logan proved herself equal to the occasion; her conduct was admirable in its poise and self-effacement. When the public men of the day applauded her wifely enthusiasm, Mrs. Logan quietly remarked that she saw no reason why she should not be with the General in his political campaigns in the same capacity in which she had been near him at Belmont, Fort Donelson and Pittsburgh Landing—as a faithful helpmate and companion. She sent carefully worded regrets to all offers which came to her to lecture, to give readings, to contribute for the press on political subjects, and she indignantly denied