John A. Logan and the Fugitive Slave Law

In the decade of the post-Compromise of 1850 years many Northern conservatives, especially Democrats, but some Whigs too, were quite willing to support enforcement of the newly strengthened Fugitive Slave Law to insure the Constitution was upheld and the South was treated fairly.

In the decade of the post-Compromise of 1850 years many Northern conservatives, especially Democrats, but some Whigs too, were quite willing to support enforcement of the newly strengthened Fugitive Slave Law to insure the Constitution was upheld and the South was treated fairly.

One legislator that commented strongly on the Fugitive Slave Law was John A. Logan. Logan was elected to represent his native southern Illinois in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1858 after having served in the state legislature. As a freshman in Congress he used a speaking opportunity to voice his support for the return of runaway slaves, and thus, the Constitution.

"Every fugitive slave that has been arrested in Illinois, or in any of the Western states, and I call Illinois a Western state, for I am ashamed longer to call it a Northern state, has been made by Democrats. In Illinois the Democrats have all that work to do. You call it the dirty work of the Democratic Party to catch slaves for the Southern people. We are willing to perform that dirty work. I do not consider it disgraceful to perform work, dirty, or not dirty, which is in accordance with the laws of the land, and the Constitution of the country." For this speech Logan was given the nickname "Dirty Work" Logan.

When the Civil War broke out Logan resigned his seat in Congress and became the colonel of the the 31st Illinois. He went on to become a major general and served with distinction in the Western theater.

One legislator that commented strongly on the Fugitive Slave Law was John A. Logan. Logan was elected to represent his native southern Illinois in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1858 after having served in the state legislature. As a freshman in Congress he used a speaking opportunity to voice his support for the return of runaway slaves, and thus, the Constitution.

"Every fugitive slave that has been arrested in Illinois, or in any of the Western states, and I call Illinois a Western state, for I am ashamed longer to call it a Northern state, has been made by Democrats. In Illinois the Democrats have all that work to do. You call it the dirty work of the Democratic Party to catch slaves for the Southern people. We are willing to perform that dirty work. I do not consider it disgraceful to perform work, dirty, or not dirty, which is in accordance with the laws of the land, and the Constitution of the country." For this speech Logan was given the nickname "Dirty Work" Loga

When the Civil War broke out Logan resigned his seat in Congress and became the colonel of the the 31st Illinois. He went on to become a general and served with distinction in the Western theater.

In the postwar years Logan continued his political career, but as a Republican. He served again in the House, in the Senate and then ran as the vice presidential candidate with James G. Blaine against Democrat candidate Grover Cleveland in 1884. Blaine and Logan lost in a close election, probably due in part to Logan's past being dug up by publications such as the pro-Cleveland Puck, and images like the one above.

The image shows "John A. Logan in 1859" allowing slaves to be captured by slave catchers and their hounds while William Seward, Abraham Lincoln and Charles Sumner look on aghast. In Logan's hand is a paper that reads "No Interference With Slave Hunters." At the bottom left Seward stands on a piece of paper that reads, "Resolution Supported by John A. Logan, in the Illinois State Legislature, 'If a Negro or Mulatto, bond or free, shall hereafter come into this State and remain ten days, with evident intention of residing in the same, every such Negro or Mulatto shall be deemed guilty of a high misdemeanor, and for the first offense shall be fined the the sum of fifty dollars. If such Negro or Mulatto shall be found guilty, and the fine assessed be not paid forthwith to the Justice of the Peace, the said Justice shall, at public auction procede to sell said Negro and Mulatto. **'"

Then, like now, the media could possess long memories.

Images courtesy of Library of Congress.