The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1865-04-21
ANDREW JOHNSON,

ANDREW JOHNSON, x
i new President of The United States
Upon aim devolves the tremendous re
sponsltility Of completing the gigantic
work left unfinished by Ahrahanl Lin
coin " IL ne prove equal TO the task !
Is question asked by millions of anx-
ioos men Bat for tue unfortunate IN Z
cident OF the 4th OF AsrCh. great coma :
denee would be felt Ia his capacity for
executive duties. johnson has proven j
himself 70 be an able man. he WAS 1
Governor OF his State. and made an ex i
ceiieut one. He was Senator when the
war began, He fought secession sternly |
and corrageousiy. He never wavered
in his devotion 70 the Union. nor ia his
faith that the Republic would put down
The rebellion. He wss an enemy ell
Slavery and an emancipationist many
years ago. Johnson in Tenpsssee was
p man OF as much popularity and marx
as Douglas in Illinois; and in the char
acteTestics Of courage, force and earnest
ness, he was not inferior 10 Douglas in
his best days, and but little his inferiorI
n debating power. At the time thei
Southern delegations were seoedngI
from Congress, in the winter OF ls6o-l,
we heard him denounce JEFF Davis to-
his teeth, in the Senate Chamber, in one'
Of the most powerful speeches delivered
that session Shaking his fist in Davis
phasls AiS..s.fife!larfdi pos possses .d the al
thoritv, would hang you by the neck
until you we're dead, if YOU attempt toI
commit treason against the Government
Of the United States And he certainly!
meath the fiery glance of his eye, and
uttered no reply
There is an explanation OF the 4th of
March fasco which we have not seen in
print and it is proper now TO be made
public. We have ii from the lips of a
gentleman in high official position and
public esteem, who was in Washington
1T the time, and is conversant with sill
the particulars and facts The follow
ing Is his statement: Mr.. Johnson, as
our readers may remember, was taken
III with typhoid fever in January proceed
ing the iuaguratioD, and was brought
down 10 the very verge of the grave.
After several week combat with that
dangerous disease, he passed the crisis.
and began to recover. But his constitu-
ton was so badly shattered, that his
health improved very slowly. His physi
clans prescribed stimulants in limited
quantities 70 help his system rally from
the ravages of the fever. About a fort
night before the Inauguration he wrote q
letter to the President, stating that, he
was unfit 70 visit Washington, that he
was not sufficiently restored to endure
the fatigue of so long journey, or to
preside over the Senate after arriving
there. He suggested whether he could
not 60 before some Judge or magistrate
IN Nashville and take the oath of Office
aud avoid the necessity of going to the
: capital The President referred the
! letter TO several members of Congress,
and they advised him that an act OF
Congress, passed not long previously,
! rendered 10 essential for Mr.. Johnson &c
ne there On sssr 4th ~ NIL
] .tanaltfy,' otherwise the office would
! have 10 tie declared vacant. The Presi-
! dent telegraphed him 10 come on, and ID
accordingly started. lie reached W ash.
ington very weak aud indisposed- On
the morning of the 4th Of Mach he was
i in the Vice President room, lying on
i a couch. He complained that he did
II not possess enough strength TO per
3 form his part Of the ceremonies, to de
{ liver LIS address. or take his seat as pre-
/ siding officer He was advised by som,
! Of his friends, who were with him, 10 tak'
i glass OF spirits Just before the cere
i monies would begin, rs the s1imufatl0f
. would impart to him temporary strength
to perform his part. Acting on the adj
vice, be drank glass Of brandy; but
Z in the weak condition Of his nerves, i
! dew to his head, and partially intoxiea
: ted him at the moment he was called
! upon to appear in the chamber. The
s sequel we vii not repeat. After the al
9 iournment of the Senate he retired Il
g the residence of +. p Blair, senior, a
!. SHger Springs, and remained under his
= roof for three weeks, where be recovered
i much of his former strength and health
Z No man since the 4th of March cal
j say that he has tasted ardent spirits
q and he has solemnly pledged his friends
q that The public will never again hav
u cause Of complaint against him OF
= that score. We hope and believe tia
g he viii keep his resolution. When b
81 was in Washington as a Senator he wa
= s. temperate man, and previous to hi
!. sickness il was never alleged even by hi
81 worst enemies, that he was addicted
q liquor. Let Us have confidence in And
y johnson until he gives rs reason 70
q Withdrawing it. Let Us hope that b
8 will initiate the virtues of his great, goo
S. and lamented predecessor, and discharg
8 his official duties as faithfully and feal
p iessly.-- Chicago Tribune