Page:The part taken by women in American history.djvu/35

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Part Taken by Women in American History

enthusiasm caused by her presence in the city was so great that the remark was frequently heard to the effect that if Mary Logan were a man civic honors would be easy to her. Beloved of the common soldiers, even the greatest of generals found pleasure in her intellectual companionship. When asked if there was any truth in the story that General Grant had once given her a cigar during a conversation, Mrs. Logan replied with her serene smile and added, "It was as fine a tribute to the feminine intellect as was ever made to a woman. General Grant and I were discussing a political topic from different points of view. The General became absolutely absorbed, but recognizing that I had the best of him in the argument, he suddenly offered me a cigar in an absent-minded sort of way. When he realized what he had done he laughed and apologized, but I thanked him for the compliment and said I should look upon that cigar in the light of a surrender, man to man, as when an officer hands his sword to his captor."

Mrs. Logan's immense reception of the Knights Templars occurred in Washington, October 10, 1889, and it was estimated that between ten and twelve thousand persons passed by her as she stood at the head of a long line of prominent women who assisted her in greeting the honorable Sir Knights.

The great reception in the rotunda of the Capitol to the Union veterans occurred September 20, 1892, and at this wonderful gathering in the historic hall, Mrs. Logan and her family were the centers of attraction.

At the Hamline Church, February, 1893, Mrs. Logan delivered a strong address under the auspices of the colored Y. M. C. A., entitled "The Colored American in Industrial Pursuits." In this speech she urged the colored people to take advantage of their present great opportunities and thus secure good positions in life through their own talent and education.

President Harrison appointed Mrs. Logan one of the