The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-04-16
THE NEW PRESIDENT.


THE NEW PRESIDENT.
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sketch OF the Life and Services OF Andrew
johnson, Of Tennessee.
Amid the universal manifestations OF over the
great action which has befaen the country In the sud
den death of s beloved Chief Magistrate at the hand Of
Aendish assassin we must not forget duties to the
future The gloom which has thus suddenly fallen like
pail upon the exuberant JOY Of the people over the late
victories of their armies not suppress the pes Of
the hour Looking forward with hope through the
cloud of our late calamity the magnificent consum
nation of righteous bayonets in the hands Of Christian
soldiers have the melancholy consolation that though
the President be dead, the nation still lives.
By the provisions OF that sacred instrument, con-
sttution the uncertainty Of the duration or human
life is provided for by the election cotemporaneousy
with President of Vice President who, in of the
death, removal or disability Of the President, mme
datey ascends to the chief magstracy Of the nation
The man. therefore, who to bear the profound respon
sibiles Of that high office Ia Andrew johnson. Hence
to know something Of this gentlemans antecedens as
Ia public and individual, trustworthy Of the high
charge to which he been called by the treacherous
work OF conspiraon against the nation through its
chosen head is Of the deepest importance.
Andrew johnson born In Raleigh, North Carolina
December 90 When he had scarcely reached the age
years he lost his father who died from the effects
of effort to friend from drowning. His mother
was unable TO afford her child any educational facilities
whatever He, therefore, never had the advantages
OF attending school II s even said that during his
younger years he an inmate Of the aims
house of Wake county, North Carolina, where
The remained until his tenth year At that age
he was apprcnticed tailor In his native city. He
thus labored for years His lack OF schooling
however in q great measure overcome by strong
desire TO acquire know ledge and he spent much OF his
leisure time In educating himself An interesting
doe is mentioned Of his anxiety to learn to read
gentleman of Raleigh in the habit Of visiting the
talors shop and reading while the apprentice and jour
neymen were work. He read well and generally made
his selections from . volume Of speeches of British
statesmen Young johnson listened with great delight
and his first ambition be able TO read and compre
bend these speeches. He at procured an alphabet
and without instructor attempted TO learn TO read
When at loss to. know letter he applied Tor
assistance to the journeymen with whom be worked
After acquiring his letters he asked the owner for
the loan of the book he had SO often heard
read The owner gave him the book and some instruc
ton as to It's use He learned to read and at night
after having finished his daily labor Of ten or twelve
hours he spent two three hours in study In 1924 he
fcOmetcu NIB apprenticeship anu ou W
Court House, South Carolina, where he worked a
journeyman. Whilst there he fell in love with girl
IN the neighborhoed and courted her. Mr.. johnson
tells the story himself The young lady something
more in him than her mother able to discern She
Engaged herself 70 him, provided he could get her
mothers consent Andy went one Sunday TO speak 10
the old lady His heart failed him till towards night
when he mustered up and popped the question
tho mother He says she broke out on him In most
terrible TRADE Of abuse, and said, "You ring worth
31ess vagabond do you suppose am going to let my
daughter marry wandering journeyman taorf know
what you want you lazy to work, and you are
after my property" The old woman had four children
and three negroes This her fortune. In utter de
spar young johnson returned to the village mortified and
crestfallen.
In May he returned to Raleigh where he procured
work, and remained until September At this time he
removed TO the West taking with him his mother who
was entirely dependent upon him for support He
stopped Greenvile, Tenn, and engaged in work. Re
naming thero about year he married, and after
still further West Failing to find suitable place
SETTLE he returned to Greenve and commenced bust
ness Al this time Mr. Johnson's education limit ID
to reading Under the instructions Of bis wife he
speedily entered the higher branches The only time he
could his studies in the dead Of night but
forgetting fatgues Of his daily work In his thirst for
knowledge overcame all the weaknesses OF nature and
rapidly acquired good fund Of information In 1925
Mr. johnson was elected his first Office alderman Of
the village His satisfactory scqual Of himself IN this
Office led his election In 1929, and again 10 1880
In the latter year he elected Mayor and held that
position for three years In 1895 he elected to the
State Legislature In the session Of that year b.
took bold stand against the measures OF internal I'm
provemeut proposed by some members, the ground
tau tbo Cfafa burd heh
The measure meeting the popular approval in the elcc
ton Of the next year Qs30 Mr. johnson defeated
: In 1889 he again candidate His predictions Ia
opposition to the internal Improvement bills having beer
realized he elected by large majority In 1870 ht
served as Presidential eector for the State al large
the democratic ticket lie canvasscd large portion Of
the State meeting the stump some OF the leadnS
whig In 1s4l he elected to the State Senate
In ls43 he elected TO Congress- serving by successive
re elections until 1853 During his 10 that ofBc,
he advocated the bill for reundng the fine imposed upor
Il General Jackson at New Orleans In 1916, the an
nexation OF Texas, the tariff OF 1915, Tbs
4 war measures Of Mr. Folks administration, and
homestead bill In 1853 he elected Governor Of
!, Tennessee after exciting canvass BE was re elected
In 1855 another spirited contest Al the expiration
Of his second period Governor in 1857 he was elected
the Senate of the United States for the term ending
March 1868 He, however, never completed his term
On March 1892 he was confirmed by the Senate OF the
Omitted States Military Governor Of Tennessee with the
rank Of brgadcr general with oil the powers duties and
functions pertaining 10 that once during the pleasure
the President until the loyal inhabitants Of the stat,
should organize civil government In accordance with
the constitution Of the United States The designation
Of General Johnson for the position considered BY
everybody emnenty proper, both In view Of his pc
cusr illness for the once and Of his great popularity
among all loyal people, besides his devotion 10 bis
State The Governor by the acceptance Of the once