The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-11-21
An Hour with President Johnson.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 81, 1865.

meeting of the Convention and voted fol
him in that body. l have SINCE then hac
occasion to complain of my own work
and have never after the Inauguration
been free from grave apprehension as to
the wisdom of that choice. Differing with
most men who besiege the Executive de-
partment in this very Important particu.
lar. that the administration has no hon
ors aspire to, may differ with most oi
them also alike in the frankness with
which I counsel, when invited to do, SC
and in the convictions which result froal
contact with rulers.
! found myself here on Friday for the
frst time since February last, and during
the afternoon of the same day, called at
the White House to see President John
eon. I found the halls, the ante-cham-
Der and all other available spaces around
the Executive room, crowded with mot
ley mass of men, with an anxious female
face here and there giving variety to the
acene-all waiting, and some from day to
day, to gain an interview with the Pres
ident and plead for restoration to citizen.
ship and property. Soon the door open
ed and a genteel lady emerged from the
Presidents room with large official en-
velope clutched nervously in her hand,
and q benignity of countenance that told
more plainly than words that another cit
izen had been born again to the Republic.
Soon after another and then another
came with like trophies Of success, and
as each one passed out the mass would
sway toward the door to catch the name
of the next one called. In little time |
gained admission aud had my first inter
view with Andrew johnson as President.
There are few men who could make a
more favorable impression upon stran-
ger on first acquaintance, than the Presi-
dent. He differs from Mr. Lincoln in
most external characteristics, aud in many
contrasts favorably. He lacks Mr.. Liz
coins jolly humor: improves upon his
ungainly ways is vastly more diplomatic,
aud wears uniftrn and quiet dignity
that would have been shockingly out of
place in his lamented predecessor, but
which we'll becomes the Chief Executive
of great Nation. He is about FIVE feet
ten in height, rather stoutly and sym
metricaIly built, has long hair well sill
vered by the frosts of time, rather a cold
grey eye that looks as if in It's calmest
glances there slumberS behind it quite
enough to quicken it; finely chiseled
Roman face, usually sad in expression,
at times relieved by genial smile, and
in manner and dress serCn y plain and
unaffected. Such is, in Lr,ef, portrait
of Andrew johnson, but two years ago
the despised, the reGiled of traitors the
man upon whose head fell their fercest
denunciations and against whom were
hurled their keenest and deadiest shafts,
aud now the President of the United
States with the foes at bis feet supplicat
ing bis pardon, and charged with the
highest duties aud responsibilities ever
imposed on mortal mau.
He meets the visitor cordially, and
speaks in the softest tone and in well
measured sentences. There was little
formality-the usual greetings and thence
we passed to questions of graver moment.
However reticent he may be on some is
sucs, he seems to have no reserve as to
the policy be conceiyes to be the true one
10 bring back the insurgent States. He
discussed the position of those States and
their people with great intesest and occa-
sional warmth, aud with frankness that
left no doubt as to his purpose. He holds
that they were never olt Of the Union {;
that secession, however accomplished as
q fact, cannot be accomplished in law
that the supreme authority of the govern
ment in those States was net overthroWn
by rebellion, but simply in abeyance, and
of course it logically follows his premises
that, since rebellion has ceased, the States
aesume their proper place in the Union
and restoration is accomplished. This, in
brief, was the stand point from which the
President discussed the question of recon,
struction for more than an hour, and an
swered suggestive objections at times with
an earnestness that demonstrated how ar
IDENTIFY he Is working to give success to his
policy. could not but remind him that
his theory stripped all traitors of the pro-
lection they night claim as public enc.
mics; that it would stamp as guilty of
treason within the law, every man who
aided the rebellion, and of necessity de-
mand at his han Is commensurate punish
ment for what he must hold as unmitiga.
ted crime--as appalling murder and des-
olatIon for which there is no extenuatlon
tob be plead. "You have," added, "given
Us on every hand the Nations mopu-
ments of Mercy-where will be its mon
uments of Justice Davis is proclaimed
assassin, as well as traitor-his agents
have died, Low are the principals to atone
to people doubly bereaved in their homes