The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-05-05
Speech of Senator DoOli.tlo.

from Wisconsin was called on, ~ an int''
mate friend Of President johnson, to speak
of him, and replied rs follows:
You ask me to speak of Andrew johnson.
Who is he? and what will be his policyf
And you insist that shall give, as q neigh
bor and friend. what information may
have upon that mst important subject.
will answer you briefly, and from the best in.
formation have.
lie is, I think, a native OF North Carolina.
He was humble mechanic, tailor by trade.
and. 1t is said, received instructions In the
first rudiments OF education from his devoted
wife. He Is man Of medium stature. com
pact and strong built, of dark complexion
aud deep set black eyes. He Is Of bilious
temperament OF strong intellect, indomita.
bic energy and iron will. in whose character
I should say the strongest feature OF all is
that of stern justice, mingled with genuine
hatred Of oil forms OF aristocracy and oppres-
sion. and patriotism SO ardent that it
amounts to passion. almost religion.
Hs was the real author OF the Homestead law,
although Il did not pass both Houses until at-
ter the rebsllion began. On account of his
determined and constant support Of that mea-
sure OF the people, and which, oil itself.
would bar slavery out Of all now territories,
ths aris,ocratic shareholders Of the South
Mason. Slidell, Toombs, Davis and tho like
long before the rebellion, hated him with q
perfect hatred.
have occasion to know how much he re.
ciprocated their feelings toward him, Tor when
was occasionally, ~ young Senator, en-
gagged in controversy with them, he always
took great pleasure in referring me to tho
necessary documents to enable me successful
ly TO controvert them
But you ask me. is he sober man?
Such was certainly his character during
all the time he was in tho Senate OF che
United States. My best impression is that
he did not drink at tail that time. Alter
his leaving the Senate to 90 to Tennessee us
Brigadicr. General, to act as military govern.
or. I, OF course, TO not know whether he did
or not. like great many of the officers in
ths army. indulge in drinking. l am in
formed that when ho lett Tennessee to come
on to Washington toattend the inauguration
he was just recovering from severe illness.
That he came upon most urgent solicitation,
against his own preferences. That he was
sustained and kept up more or less by stimu.
lants prescribed and recommended by his
physician. He was still suffering from his
malady. when probaly he ought to have been
under the charge OF his physician. on tho
dav Of his Inauguration.
What occurred then has given riso to n
thousand criticisms and npprehensions. l
shall not GO farther into that than to sav,
saw him several times afterwnrd before ] left
Washington, at the house OF Mr. Francis p.
Blair whcrc he was staying by invitation. in
company with Hon Preston King OF New
York. and found him recovering from his
illness, and. 81 far rs could judge, in MI re-
spects, as he was in the Senate. do not no.
lieve that Andrew johnson, who always lived
a temperate and upright life until past fifty
years of nge. now that the great responsible
tiles of the Presidency ore thrown upon him.
can or will permit himself to indulge in the
use Of intoxicating drinks, and thus endan.
that republic for which he has done and sui.
icred so much, and for which hc would will
lingly lay down his life. would sooner be. |
lieve that he would forswear all Intoxicating |
drinks whatsoever. II
But you ask me asain-what policy will
he pursue? |r ..uI .I -,
As to the reconstruction question, hc will
undoubtedly pursue the same policy as MIR.
Lincoln. In his address when inarguratcd,
in speaking of the States, ho said "they are
not dead. but sleeping" f u.
He Is fully committed In favor OF the rcor-
ganized free States of tennessee. Arkansas
and Louisiana. As to this affair Of Gen.
-. ...s. l., ,IIn,,tnc ho ~
OF the rebel Legislature to Richmond, he has
not spoken, and OF course | cannot assume
to speak for him.
But what course will he pursue toward tho
traitors2 We can only judge by his record.
Early in the rebellion. during tho last days
of Buchanan's administration, on the 2i of
March. 1861. In speech in reply to Lane
of Oregon. speaking OF the firing upon the
Star of the West. and the seizure Of our ar.
scnals, docks. forts and navy yards, he used
this memorable language: "Show me who
hus been engaged In these conspncies, who
has fired upon our Gag, who has given In.
structions to take our forts, and custom
houses, and arsenals, and dock.yards. and
will show you trnitor" (Applause in the
Calleries.) When order was restored he con.
tinued: ,"Here President Of the United
States | would do as Thomas Jefferson did 10
1860, with Aaron Burr would have thcm
arrested. and IL convicted within the mean.
ing and scope Of the Constitution. By the
Eternal God tcouid haze them erecuied" :"
lie is now President. Has anything since
occurred to make him repent that solemn
oath, or change his stern resolve?
His wife aud children have been captured
by the reb Is, suffering all hut death: his
property has been contiscated by them his
sons imprisoned his neichbors and friends
shot, murdered In cold blood, hung, gibbct.
ed and for no offsnse hut that Of loyalty To
the government of the United States. eco
nothing IN all this calculated to change his
convictions or his purpose. On the other
hand. In his speech upon tho fall OF Rich
mond and Lees surrender. while most Others
in the dclirium Of joy and exultation over
our success. and Of tho approach Of peace.
spoke OF amnesty. he slono did not forgot the
stern demands of Justice for ''he IL nade Of
sterner stuG. Upon tho subject he said:
"The halter to influential traitors to the
honest hoy, tho deludei man. who has been
deceived into tho rehsl ranks. would extend
leniency; won'd cay. renew your support
to the government and become . good citi'
rem bu. tho leaders I would hang,
And now after the culmination OF all the
wickedness of rebellion In the assassination
OF the President and Secretary OF State-n
he lifts his hand by the dead body OF sho
president to repeat the solemn oath admins
tered by the Chief Justice. SEQ nothing to
change his convictions. When he uttered