The weekly union record., 1865-04-22
Andrew Johnson.

The Washington Chronicle of March 18th,
copies the following article from the New York
Sun, with the remark that there is such spirit
!of fairness in it, in depreciation Of the assaults
.made upon Vice President Andrew johnson,
hat we transfer it TO these columns 4:
While deprecating, in common with every
American cilizeu who is keenly alive to the
honor and dignity of his country, the conduct
5of Vice President johnson at the Inauguration
Ion the 4th of March, we would respectfully
submit that the spirit in which it is commented
upon in public and private is scarcely less rep
lrehensbe than the otlense which has been CON-
lmitted Although we are keenly sensitive of the
breach of proprety, good taste, and sound sense,
5hat has been committed by the magistrate
holding the second Office in the United States
Government. and can realize to some degree
Sthe aid and comfort that it will afford to for
zeign enemies aud domestic traitors, yet II Is due
Ato truth if not to charity, to remember that
sthere are not wanting some circumstances in
! this case which are calculated to place the OBJ
Fleet of so many fierce assaults in an attitude
asnggestve as much of pity as Of condemnation.
5rhough far from agreeing with many of the
spolitical views of Andrew johnson, We recog-
snze that there is not in the United States
1 man who has rendered more effective service
Ito the Union cause. He has been in the very
depths and whirlpool Of secession, and held his
ground from first to last, like q man. At
stime when all mer's hearts forsook them, and
I when the treachery of Buchanan, and the scarce
sly disguised vacillation of Lincoln and some o!
shis advisers, and the course of large portion
sof the public press, headed by the New York
lTribune, all combined to render it extremely
doubtful whether any active opposition would
ibe offered 10 the formation Of Southern slave
sConfederacy, Andrew johnson Of Tennessee,
lin his place in the United States Senate. de-
bounced JEFF. Davis and the other Southern
TRAITORS TO their faces, and maintained that the
American people would never submit to dis
union aud dismemberment. He resisted all the
of the chivalry, and abandoned
house, home, property and everything for the
Union, and be has ever been true TO bis record.
As Governor of Tennessee, be inspired all our
Generals there wi the saving grace Of bis in
3domitable spirit and strong will. 1t is no secret
that at one time Nashville would have been
Evacuated, but for bis opposition to the opinion
!of q well known General, who maintained that
lit should be abandoned. In strictly strate-
igical point of view it should have been, for it
had been fanked by Braggs army. But pluck
5triumphed and Nashville is ours TO this day
land was the base for all Shermans glorious
Successes We who live peaceably at home,
lcaunot realize the fierce excitement and perils
Ito which a border State Unonist Is or was
Subjected. who dared 10 stand up for bis prin-
tciples. Still less can we comprehend the tire
lmendous strain upon leader Of even Andrew
II Jobusons stalwsrt frame and robust mind.
sThe oyer-excitement was too much for him, at
Hast. The strong man succumbed 10 bis hour
3of triumph At the moment when his services
had been recognized by the American people,
1.-The Vice President elect was stricken down
with an illness from which IT was long doubt
|fol whether be could recover. He did not die,
|but has never been the same man since. We
have no heart to recount the sad old story of
resort TO stim1lants TO recruit the shattered
energies which had been wasted 10 the noblest
|of all causes. During our best and what now
appears most quiet times, the excitement Of or
|dinarv politics broke down many OF the strong
Est men As compared with European states
men, our public men do not live half their days.
but now, when the events Of a hundred years
are crowded within the space Of q few months,
who can tell the wear and tear Of brawn and
brain OF those who struggle 10 the heat and
thick of the contest? 1t is, perhaps, bis mis-
fortune, rather than bis fault, that Andrew
, Johnson did not pass the ordeal uuscathed.
The excitement that produced bis sickness fol-
lowed him during his convalescence, and be
resorted to strong drink to drown the clsmor
Of Office holders, that haunted President Taylor
Ito his death. IL still remains TO be decided
whether Vice Presinent johnson has survived
he period OF his usefulness, or whether his
removal from his high position may not be
necessary to the honor and dignity OF our coun-
try. But in the future, the memory OF bis ser
vices will eclipse bis faults, and we who reap
|t he benefits of his labors should not prejudice
ourselves before posterity, by Judging too harsh
liz a man to whom We owe so much