The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1865-04-20
Andrew Johnson at The IMaugu-
ration.

h Androw Johnson was inaugurated
aPresident of the United States on Sa.
iturday last, few hours after the
Hdeath Of President Lincoln. And men
Heverywhere who appreciated the tre-
'Smendous responsibilities so suddenly
5laid upon him, and under such awful
circumstances, trembled when they
gthought Of tho Government passing
3into the hands Of tho man who was
areport,d drunk at the Inauguration.
THAT report has gone forth to the
aworld, uncontradicted by the press, and
Athe people believe that President john
6son delivered his inaugural in a state
Aof intoxication.
I We have heretofore stated that Mr.
~ ohnson was not an habitual drinker,
aand we have the best authority for
ssaying that the report that he was in
stoXicated at the inauguration is grea
ISLANDER When the first news of the
amonstrous murder reached Columbus
son Saturday morning, distinguished
aColonel, who has long been a personal
Africnd of the President and who stood
aby him at Nashville, addressed the
Smass of horror stricken men who
ggathcrcd upon the street, and assured
Sthcm that they need have no fears of
zAndrcw Johnson. A few days after the
inauguration he had called upon the
aVico President and expressed his great
Ssorrow at what had occurred. Mr.,
Il johnson assured him that the news
Apaper reports were the grossest and
atasest exaggerations that he had Just
frecovcred from the typhoid fever and
sroso on tho morning of the Inaugural
ation too weak to stand; that his friends
aprcvailed upon him to 20 to the capi-
atal, and before entering the Senate
3Chambor he sent Mr.. Blair's attendant
afor glass of brandy, about half of
(which ho drank. This was all he
drank on the day of the Inauguration,
aand took this to strengthen him for tho
occasion. Mr.. johnson further stated
that he delivered his inaugural in q de-
abilitatod and excited condition, and
1 that he is well aware that ho fell into
2the vehement manner of stump
speech. This is tho foundation for
the report, which tho newspaper re-
3portcrs havo trumpoted to tho world, !
THAT Mr.. Johnson delivered his ad lress,
4 in state of boastly intoxicatiOn. His
more intimate and personal friends
know this statement to be true, al d
srNny gentlemen who witnessed tho!
scene, say that Mr.. Johnson was not,
intoxicated.
Those who have had any fears from
tho personal habits of President John-s
son, may put them aside and have
ltho fullest confidence in his character
\ As to his ability and patriotism, let.
the past be our guarantee. lle stood
/ firm in the United States Senate, he'
stood firm in Tennessee; and was driv-I
en- from his homo by the rebels, and hc'
stood firm after tho recovery of Nash
willie and vowed that ho would never
agive up the city though tho military
authorities wero in favor of it, lie
has been in public Iifo for many years.,
Sand though moro of n politician than,
ywas President Lincoln, ho is as much
lfrom and Of the people, as the puro and,
beloved man who has just fallen.
Moreover since his Inauguration as
President, ho has announced his inten-
ton to deal mcrcilully with tho rank,
! and flo of tho rebellion, but has de-
lclarcd that the leaders must be pun,
Iishod, and that treason must be- made
the greatest crime under tho Consti-
tuition and rendered infamous forever.
God bless and strengthen Andrew
johnson
Justice.
If Horace Greeley and q few other