, 1841-09-25

with their respective tribes, with the kindesI
feelings towards the Government and people
of the u. S., and looking upon the Col. a:
} their beneiactor.
At the expiration of his first term of ser.
vice as U. S. Senator, Col. Johonson was
unanimously reelected by the Kentucky
Legislature.
1t was during or near the close Of this sec.
ond senatorial term Jan. :, 1899 that he
made his first famous and justly celebrated
Sunday mail report. His second term Of
service hsving expired on the 4th Of March
Of that year, he was, inrAsgust following,
taAen up by his distinct and elected to the
lower House Of Congress, where in March
1880, he made his second report upon this
all important subject. If Col. johnson had
performed no other service to his country
if his fame as a statesman and patriot rested
alone upon these two acts of his life, even
then, he ought Justly to be considered an A.
merican Legislator and law-giver Of the old
Roman caste, and fully worthy Of Rome's
brightest days!
In the station of Representative in Con-
gress, Col. Johnson continued TO serve his
constituents, who at each successive election.
reelected him by almost reclamation, until
in the year 1887, he was elected Vice Presi-
dent OF the U. s.; in which station he presi.
ded on the deliberations Of the Senate, and
performed all, and singular the arduous duties
Of the station, through four years Of unpre-
cedented political excitement, with such dig
nifty, courtesy and impartiality, as no, only
gave entire satisfaction to his political friends,
but all of every party; and drew from many
Of his most distinguished political opponents,
the highest eulogies-witness the encomiums
passed upon him. and his official conduct, by
Messrs. Clay and Mangum on his retiring
from the chair as presiding officer Of the Sen
ate.
Col. Johnson has always both believed,
and acted upoa that belief, that all men,
whether rich or poor, are Justly entitled TO
equal, natural and political rights and privile-
ges, and 10 an equal voice in Governmental
affairs. He has too often been an eye wit
ness, and beheld with admiration when his
country's cause and honor demanded the SER
vice of its citizens; how the patriotic bosom
would swell and the pulse Of heroism beat
high, and how, almost as cn-mdSSe, those
comparatively without property or home
the honorable, high-minded and industrious,
hut unfortunate poor, would buckle on their
knapsacks. shoulder their deadly rifles, and
at a moments warning. march TO their coun.
try's defence. their country's glory; deter
mining 10 peril all, TO do or die. to meet the
enemy, 10 fight the good fight, gain 4 glori-
Gus victory OF perish in the noble attempt.
| saw Col. Johnson had too often witnessed
such noble deeds as these, to ever give his
sanction TO Il property qualification, or to be-
lieve that wealth adds to a mans patriotism,
or that poverty detracts from his worth or
merit.
He believes that, great chartered monop-
olies and exclusive privileges are anti-Demo-
cratic in their nature and tend to the creation
Of 4 legalized national aristocracy, and
should as far as compatible with the public
veal, be dispensed with by a free people and
discouraged by a republican Government
He fully subscribes TO the Democratic doc
trine, that the privileges, benefits and immu-
mites of Government, as well as its burdens
and acquisitions, should be like the dews
from heaven, gently showered upon each and
every individual; alike upon the humblest
peasant in his matched cottage or 'log cab
in," as upon the rich nabob, or lordly mon
sy-king in his princely mansion. In fine,
Col. Johnson is and through life has been in
his principles, habits, feelings, manners and
measures, a sincere, thorough and consistent
Democratic Republican OF the true Jeffer-
so and Jackson school. Witness his almost
ceaseless exertions in favor Of the poor unior-
tunate debtor, and against Imprisonment for
debt; his two famous Sunday mail reports,
by which a mighty faction, aiming at the
union of church and state, were at once
quelled, annihilated; his exertions in favor Of
the old soldiers, their widows and orphans
his famous letter answering the Abolitionist
ladies' petition last year, together with ten
thousand other such noble deeds which time
and space had forbid even-a mention of in
these letters. And last this military ca
reer, especially that portion Of it connected
with the memorable battle OF the Thames.
In this battle, Col. Johnson had also a
brother James Johnson acting as Lieutenant
COL, and two sons of that brother.
Permit me to close this epistle with an ex-
tract from a speech Of the Hon. Ely More,
late a Representative in Congress from the
city of New York, describing the gallant
conduct of those four worthless daring that