The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-03-22
The Presidents Pluck.


circumstances, excites the liveiest
admiration in the American people.
Nor is it strange that this should be
SO, for with us it is n national charac-
teristic, displayed from our earliest
infancy as "a nation, and maintained
ever since. Whether we consider
the courage of Americans upon the
battlefield; in braving the dangers of
the ocean, when the ships of other
nations dare not leave the harbor;
in enduring the privations OF the will
derness without complaint, and soE-
tude more cruel than the wilderness;
in being bravely insensible to the
losses of fortune, laboriously ac-
CURED, and in instantly putting
forth efforts to make others, when
the first have vanished-in all these
aspects, the courage of the American
peop'e shines conspicuous, and seems
indomitable. Prosperity may exalt,
But adversity cannot quench or de-
press the fire Sof our restless spirits.
Fortitude under suffering, persever-
ance under labor, patience under
misfortunes, are distinguishing traits
among cur people, and have chal-
lenged the wonder and admiration of
the world. The sublime heroism of
Americans, on sea and on land, have
furnished bards and poets with many
q lofty theme and inspiring song,
and have quickened with emotion
even the sober pen of the historian.
But when we talk about pluck, we
cannot refrain from awarding it to q
man who recently showed himself
the worthy representative of this
prominent American characteristic.
We look in vain over ancient and
modern fields for such an exhibition
OF pluck like that presented by An
drew johnson, when, standing in
front of the White House, he thun-
dered upon the ears of the nation,
81 say Thaddeus Stevens, of Penn
sylvania-I say Charles Sumner, of
Massachusetts, say Wendell Phil
lips, and others of the same stripe,
are among them" e'I do not in
tend to be bullied by my enemies. "
Here was pluck for you, and the
American people know how to admire
and appreciate it. Since the days of
Andrew Jackson, we have never had
so plucky q President; and we all
know that pluck won for Andrew
Jackson his vast and undying popu-
larity. 1t will not do less for An
drew johnson, for if the American
people do love one thing more than
all others, it is pluck.
The pluck of Ajax, both before
Troy and upon the sea, when adverse
deities pursued him, has Justly been
celebrated by the poets Of antiquity.
Every classical reader recollects how,
when storm had wrecked his ship,
he buffeted the waves till he reached
a rock just large enough for him to
stand upon; and then,S solitary and
alone, when all his comrades had per-
lshed, with the winds bowling over
him and the waves furious at his feet,
raising his voice above the din of the
warning elements, he hurled defiance
at Neptune and the Storm god. Here
was q suhlimity of heroism which
quailed not before the pelting storm,
nor the wrath of divinities seeking
his destruction. But the attitude Of
Andrew Johnson, on that me norable
I'D OF February, was not less strik-
ing, for there was {; refinement of
moral and political courage which
surpassed the bulldog pluck of Ajax.
Many supposed that Andrew John
son would finch from the contest.
But they knew him not His valor
was like that of king of Navarro,
who, when about entering a great
battle, was observed by those who
were arming him, to tremble; where
upon, they endeavored to compose
him, by speaking lightly of the
danger he was going to encounter.
"You do not understand me,'' said
the king, "for could my flesh know
the danger my courage will presently
carry it into, it would sink lown to
the ground" If the President ever
hesitated about joining battle, it was
the hesitation of calm, conscious and
collected yalor, which only announced
its intentions when the hour came to
strike.
Look ut Andrew Johnson in any
light we please, and we are constrain-
ed to believe that he is not nan
who will permit his "end of Ghe ave-
nue." to be bombarded with out re-
turning the fire. And when he does
respond with his guns, the radicals
have found that no armor can resist
his shot. The only safety from
Presidential sbroadside is in beino q