The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1865-04-22
The New President.

President johnson:
You ask me to speak Of Andrew john
son.
Who IL he7 what 10 he7 and what will be
his p0lity? And you insist that shall
give you, a. neighbor and q friend, what
Information I may have upon that most
important subject. I will answer you
briefly, and from the best Information I
have. 1t
He il, I think, native Of North Caro-.
lima. He was an humble mechanic, tai.
|lor by trade, and. it il said, received In
|etructions in the first rudiments of educa-
zion from bis devoted wife. He is q man
lot full medium stature, compact and strong
built, Of dark complexion and deep.sel
black eyes. He is Of bilious temperament,
(of strong intellect, indomitable energy and
THE strongest feature Of all is that of stern
Justice, and a general hatred Of all forms of
|aristocracy and oppression, and = patriot
ism 90 ardent that It amounts to passion
almost religion. He was the real au-
thor Of the homestead law, although II did
mot pass both houses until after the rebel
|lion began. On account Of his determined
and constant support Of this measure Of the
people, and which, Of itself, would bar sla-
|tocratic Shareholders Of the South-Mason,
|9ndell, T0Ombs, Davis, and the LIFELONG
before the rebellion, hated him with per-
feet hatred.
have occasion TO know how much be
|reciprocated their feelings towards him, for
when was occasionally, as young Sen
|ator, engaged in controversy with them, be-
||always took great pleasure In referring me
Ito the necessary documents to enable me
to controvsrt them.
But you ask me, 10 he . sober man1 Such
was certainly his character during all the
time he was In the Senate Of tho United
States. Ny best impression 10 that he did
mot drink 1t all ct that time. Alter his
leaving the Senate to 60 to Tennessee % a
lBrigadier General to act ~ Military Gov
|ernor, I, Of course, do not know whether
|in the army, indulge in drink. / am in.
formed that when he left Tennessee to come
|on to Washington to attend the inaugura-
|tion he was just recovering from severe
Illness. That he came upon most urgent
Publications against his own preferences.
That he was sustained and kept up more
|or less by stimulants, prescribed and rec
by his physician. He was yet
suffering from his malady when probably
The ought to have been under the charge Of
ibis physician.
On the day Of his inauguration, what oc-
!curred then has given rise to thousand
CRITICISMS and apprehensions. / shall not
go farther into that than to say, saw him
several times afterwards and before left
Washington. at the house OF Mr.. Ffancis
II. Blair where he was staying by invita- \
|tion in company with the Hon. Preston|
King, OF New York, and found him re-
covering from his illness and 80 far as l!
could Judge, in all respects as he was in the
Senate.
do not believe that Andrew johnson,
who always lived temperate and up
fright life until past fifty years OF age. now
that the great responsibilities OF the fresi.
dency are thrown upon him. can or Will
permit himself to indulge in the use OK IN q
toxicating drinks and thus endenger that
Republic for which he has done and suf-l
|fered so much. and for which he would lay
down his life. would sooner believe that
he would forswear all intoxications what
soever.
But you ask me again what policy hei
will pursue?
AS to the reconstruction question, he!
will undoubtedly pursue the same policy
la Mr.. Lincoln. In his address when in
speaking of the States, he said, j
|ssThey are not dead but sleeping" He is|
fully committed in favor Of the reorganiaed1
Tree States Of Tennessee, Arkansas and
Louisiana. Az to this affair Of Gen. Welt
rel In Virginia he has not spoken, and Of
course cannot assume to speak Tor him.
But what course viii he puEsue toward
the traitorsf We can only judge By his
record early IN The Iebelion, during The