that report—before the allure of which many a brilliant woman has fallen a victim to vanity—that she wrote her husband's speeches for him. And yet, despite all protests by Mrs. Logan, the sentiment of her influence in matters political—the General's military career was his own beyond dispute—grew to such an extent that it almost reached the point of a similar situation, a century earlier, when the old Scotchman, Davy Burns, who erected the first house in Washington, said testily to the immortal George:
"And prithee, Mr. Washington, who would you have been if you hadn't been lucky enough to marry the widow Custis?"
Mrs. Logan's life during the General's senatorial career in Washington, full of success, adulation and social prestige as it was, was not without its trials; bores, borrowers and false claimants of relationship being numerous; even cranks and fanatics were not unknown intruders in her home, while the cruel charges of wealth dishonestly obtained by Senator Logan, which often found publication in a certain class of newspapers, were a source of acute suffering to his sensitive and proud wife. But Mrs. Logan's loyalty kept her head high in noble patience and belief, and in seeking his vindication she was one with the General as in every other matter, and when he was triumphantly acquitted of any infamous connection with the Credit Mobilier enterprise even his accuser conceded, "All honor is due to Logan for his truly statesmanlike conduct, and all honor to his wife, who stood staunchly by her husband's side in his scruples of conscience."
It was at Mrs. Logan's suggestion that Senator Logan applied for the back pension for Mrs. Lincoln, which was granted to the martyred President's wife; and it was she who suggested the establishment of Decoration Day. The circumstances attending the issuance of Order No. 11—Commander-in-Chief G. A. R., are as follows:
