North Carolina standard., 1851-01-29
HON. ANDREW Johnson

true:
" About thirty years ago, of one of the veal.
thy men oil North Carolina was bathing in river in
that State He ventured too far in the deep water,
and being unable swim, he about to be drown
ed. An elderly man was on the bank, and seeing
the imminent peril of the little boys situation, he
leaped into the water and by exertion succeed
ed in reaching the spot where he him sink for
the third time By diving the bottom he found the
body of the boy and succeeded in swimming with il
to the shore. The energies of the old man were ex-
haused, and soon as be had placed the boy on the
bank in feless condition, he sunk under the over
exertion and soon after died, leaving motherless
of about ten years of age. The timely exertions
of a skilfNl physician rescued the little boy thus
saved by the old man from the grave, but his skill
could not save the life of the old man.
The old man was poor, and upon his death his son
was bound out to the Tailor's trade under the laws
of North Carolina. He served his apprenticeship in
the city of Raleigh and at the age OF twenty-one he
went forth into the world with decent suit of clothes
but without having been taught even so much as to
read and write, after tramping short time through
South Carolina, he determined wend his way 10
the Western District of Tennessee where he under
stood the wealthy gentleman then resided, whose son
his father had rescued from watery grave at the ex-
pense of his own life. He set out on his tramp
westward with his bundle on his back, intending to
work his way by halting short time and doing jour
ney-work in the several towns his route. He
reached Greenvile in East Tennessee, and determined
to call short halt. He soon discovered that there
was good opening for another shop, and he concu-
ueu 10 HanP out on MS own nook. In short time
he succeeded In winning custom, and he had also
won the heart of an intelligent and highly accom-
plished young lady. They married, and that
was an end of his tramping.
The responsibilities of a family induced him to
double his exerons, and his attention to business
secured him abundance of patrons. He piled his
needle diligently during the day, and at night he
to school to his wife, who undertook TO teach him
read and write. He was an apt scholar, and he had
an excellent teacher. He became enamored of books,
and to them he devoted all the time he could spare
from his shop-board. He prospered in business and
grew in knowledge. In few years he was consd-
cred man of fine intelligence and of unring perse-
verance, whilst his character Tor sterling Integrity
fully established In looking around for suit
able representative in the Legislature, the people fix
ed their eyes upon the intelligent and energetic Tail
or. He was elected TO the House of Representatives
of the Tennessee Legislature, nsl $50. He attracted
no particular attention for some weeks after the
mencemen of the session. except for the regularity
of his attendance. He had but little to say the
floor, although he always at his post and ready
to vote. 1t became necessary occasion for
him to say few words in opposition to some meas
ure when to his surprise he was assaird with some
thing like rudeness by of the leading lawyers
and speakers of the assembly. By way of making
the attack entirely overwhelming, the lawyer alluded
to the occupation of the Tailor. This aIluson kndled
the Indignation of the young mechanic into blaze.
He took the floor in reply, and poured forth torrent
of bold bitter crushing philippe and denuncialion
mingled with eloquent vindcation of the mechanics
sailant, and developed the powers of his own capa-
cious intellect He took the House and the gallery
completely by surprise. He had their sympathies on
account of the rudeness of the assault and the odds
in favor of hisassailant. But looked Tor such
burst of ind ignant eloquence followed. His char
acter for high talents and for bold, unshrnking
age established, and during the remainder Of the
sessonhe ranked amongst the ablest members of the
body.
At the close of the session he returned to his shop
and there he remained pursuing his trade and gather
ing fresh knowledge from books for several years,
when the people again required his services in the
upper branch of the Legislature. By this time he
had made himself of the best informed men of
the Senate, and during the session he stood in the
front rank of that body. He next called by the
popular voice Congress, and for the last six years
he has adorned seat in that body. This is brief
history of the rise of one of the marka Bile
in our State, and his example deserves to be hed.up
as bea ufu commentary upon our free institutions,
and as encouragement to other young men in des-
titute circumstances. GREENE.
Mr.. Johnson is native of this City. He served
his time here apprentice to the Taor's trade.
He deserves the highest credit for his energy indus
try, and perseverance and the City of Raleigh ought
tc be proud of such son.