The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-08-23
PRESIDENT JOHNSON.
r!a STATUS As a STATESMAN.
WHAT HE Is AND HAS BEEN.
A GIANT AMONG GIANTS
&c. &c. &c.

The President Of tho United States occupies today the
most prominent and salient position Of any potenate OF
tho earh representing, he does, the model repuo
hche States Of North America Power whose colos
sal proportions consolidated by the war; must throw its
lenethening shadow the continent of Europe
Within the last few months the thought and intellect
and craftsmanship Of the world have been the q vice
to know what manner Of man occupies so exalted
position This inquiry peculiar and touching
interest among the intelligent and patriotic masses OF
this country who have been engaged in the great indus
trial and business pursuits and in its battles rather than
its politics, that the bloodv drama of civil strife is
closed.
The writer, sometimes differing with Mr.. johnson, has
had ample opportunity of studying his peculiar and
marked traits Of character His early history OF late has
been frequently the topic OF newspaper paragraph and
sketch. These in the main correct; but 1t is his
and grade of mind and intellect his moral force and
stamina that tho people peculiarly interested in
knowing
AS politician Mr. johnson has been preentious
or noisy He knows but little CT what is called tactics
and party drill, but one more thoroughly compre
hends the ntrgues of politicians and is little likely to
be caught in their TOLLS He knows nothing Of the
ing and appliances Of tho grocery pothouse chiefan
In his department among his immediate constituents
he has been plain, unassumng, not to say modest and
has always his way public favor by the clear and
natural brancy of his mind his intense earnesness Of
purpose, and a real sympathy with the masses
Believing literally that this is government Of the pec
pie he has acted honestly upon that hypothesis in the
various struggles in which changes Of administration
and public policy have thrown him. No more thor
oughly thinks and for himself yet open at all times
to suggestion, to light and information
He is very careful in investigating facts and laying
down his PREMISES that being done, he drives home his
daJ,,c
ton unequalled He has of the Of the heto
rcan words of atcry, set phrase Of Speech but
in America thoroughly fix the attention
Of his audience His public discussions have been main
ly in his State, where his peculiar manner Is well
known, and where he had to meet succession in his
for Governor of the ablest popular orators
of the age.
Mr. Henry was eminent lawyer, and descendant Of
the great Patrick Henry with much OF the fire and bril-
lancy of his ancestor and Mr. Gentry selfmade man,
like Mr. Johnson and whose eocuton for dramatic eff
feet surpassed only by that Of Mr. Clay yet these
we're both DEFEATED with party majority in their favor
at the opening of each
Mr. johnson has been close student He has never
found time for the dissipation too often incident to pub
lie life. Perhaps public OF his time is so free
from the ordinary vices That he or ever has been
winebibbcr is gross calumny.
No question has arisen connected with the politics OF
the country that he has not thoroughly investigated and
exhausted Hrs mind abhors absurdity nature alb
hors vacuum Whatever opinions he entcrtans line
Of conduct he may prescribe for his action the result
Of clear conviction To think 70 otherwise would
be to violate his natural instinct.
He gifted with the highest intellectual pow
era, and fully competent to try conclusions with the
ablest OF his age any subject he has had the
opportunity to investigate. Even upon legal question:
if the authorities and laid before him. and the
occasion were it, he would prove himself a match for
the Chief Justice.
Sound in body, as he is sound in mind, his moral and
physical courage have been questioned The posi-
ton which he maintained in the Senate OF the United
States for the Unon the powerful speech which he de-
livcrcd demonstrating the paramount authority Of the
federal government his unhcsitang and onward
the close of the war; amidst the disaction Of his
tire section evinced moral courage unsurpassed by the
most brilliant feat Of arms.
The people every section and shade of opinion should
him. for he will prove himself equal TO the mighty
task of reconstruction, and thorough master OF the
situation
Mark the prediction. No since the days Of Gen.
eral Jackson will thoroughly stamp his own ndivid-
uality upon tho adm inistraon Of the government
Old party lines will be wiped out, and he win rally
around him great national party, whose watchwords
will be soldity, strength and glory Of once
united country The Union, the national honor and the
national credit, they must and shall be preserved.
Always in sympathy with the great mass and heart Of
the nation, he will administer the government upon
sound and broad principles seeking the greatest GOOD for
the greatest number, and any combinations or cques
that may attempt TO pull him down will only find them
selves lifted up