The Black Republican., 1865-04-22
THE NEW PRESIDENT.

For the third time in the history of the
q United States, the Vice President has been
&oalled to the Chair of State in consequence
#Of the death OF the President. But aff1ict-
/ ing as were the circumstances attending the
I succession of Messrs. Tyler and Fillmore to
. the Presidency, they were nothing, as COM
pared with the present great calamity
Z death surprised their predecessors in
Ia season of usefulness, it is true,
8but it was according to the DEGREES of
a wise and mercifuI Providence and
not by the hand of the assassin that the
nation was deprived of their lives and
services.
The late Vice President, now President
Andrew Johnson, has been well known to,
the people Of the South from the memo ora
bic campaign in Tennessee Mississippi and
Alabama, in 1853, until 1859, when he was
elected Senator His first appearance as a.
prominent man was as Governor of Tennes-'
see, and from the beginning of his political
career he has continued to enjoy the conf !
dence of his constituents. We believe he
was the only member of the Senate from a.
seeded State who refused to resign andl
join the South. He kept his place in thel
Senate until his term expired From the!
time of his election to Congress his name
has been familiar to the whole nation
In politics, Mr.. Johnson has always en-
tertained thorough and decided views!
Like many other Southern men who have]
suffered from the rebellion, he has uniformity
regarded treason as one of the worst of
crimes, and believed in melting out sum-
mary punishment to the leading andj
wealthy and intelligent offenders. In ani
address delivered in Washington on the 4th1
inst, on the occasion of the public re
joicing for the fall of Richmond, he reiter-i
ated these well-knoWn sentiments of his,
! little thinking that he would be called uponl
+ in less than two weeks to conduct for four
years the affairs Of this great nation. 1t isl
generally believed that Mr. Johnson is muchl
more of a radical than the lamented Lincolni
twas, and less disposed to temper Justice with
mercy. IT, therefore, the assassination of.
the latter was instigated, as some people,
believe, by hopes of political advantages to1
!. the opponents of reconstruction and peace,
kE.s
But Mr. Johnsons first act in enteringl
, upon his new.duties is calculated to inspireI
confidence. He has formally requested the,
Secretaries of the several Departments to rel
tain their portfolios, and continue on in the
same line Fof policy as they began andi
carried out before the change in the head
of the Government. It is we'll known to Mr..
Johnson's friends that every instinct of his
reason and every impulse of his heart are;
true to the cause of Union and liberty.
Possessing, as he does, great frmness and
honesty Of purpose, the loyal portion of thel
Union have much to hope from him. and
! those disposed to evil much to fear.
AS the end of the war draws near. and the
dawn Of peace appears, it is quite probable
4 that Mr.. johnson will, in accordance with
what now seems to be the settled policy of the
Northern people, hold out such inducements
4 to the class of people in the South who have
been forced or deluded into the support of
secession, as will secure their speedy returnI
to the rights and duties which await them,
as American citizens. His whole historyi
warrants US in believing this, and his recent
speech in Washington, and his declared ins
stention to retain Mr. Lincoln's Cabinet,
strengthens the belief.
l.