Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1866-01-11
ANonLEACr OF TIrE PRESIDENT.

A correspondent records an act o.
| President johnson which presents a
| strange contrast 70 the conduct of these
| Radicals who are for crucifyiug the
Southern leaders for a mere difference
| of political opinion. The writer says:
The humble origin Of our President is
familiar TO every school boy j n the land.
| From the experience of his early DAYS
he has drawn those friendly feelings for
1 the humber classes, which he takes
every pains to manifest, and they are
sincere, too, As all who know him will
insist. While living in Greenville, East
Tennessee, and when he began his career
as a public man, he came in competition
with a high toned gentleman of Irish pa
rentage, who entertained those aristo-
cratic notions so peculiar to many in the
South. When Andrew johnson first as
PRED to the Tennessee Legislature, he
met the most persistent opposition from
this man-then of some influence and
ability as a lawyer-whO marveled
greatly that Of such birth should seek
TO become a lawmaker for the intelligent,
high bred gentleman, who boosted of
noble lineage, a did he and others Of his
neighbors.
But our President became a legislator,
and made laws not only for the rich
alone, but for those who, like himself,
were of "the poor white trash" He sue
ceeded as a law maker for Tennessee,
and then had the audacity to accept the
nomination for Congress. Now, indeed,
his lOrdly constituents felt called upon tu
demonstrate. That he should have been
suffered to represent them in the State
Legislature was tolerable, but that he
should speak for them at Washington,
where such men as Hammond and
Mason were accustomed 10 represent the
first families Of the Southland, was not
to be endured. Such an imposition could
not be tolerated. Bat the people of that
mountain section thought otherwise, and
Andrew johnson became a Congress
man, and then u Senator, etc.
In all his successes he remembered the
bitter opposition and hatred of other
years, and when he became Military
Governor OF Tennessee, he improved the
opportunity, and made this man feel his
power and influence. The war had
nearly ended when this naughty rebel
for such he proveG-asked for pardon.
Johnson protested, and President Lin
coin refused. Too high spirited to sue
for the pardon, this rebel despaired, for
his life long opponent was in the ascend
ancy, and his property, and perhaps his
person, was at his mercy. His only hope
was the justice, or rather mercy, Of
President Lincoln. But that hope
was dispelled when the assassina-
ton elevated the Nice-President.
No further effort was made, for
his cause seemed hopeless. The humble
tailor OF Greenville was President Of the
United States; the lordly gentleman was
Of high reputation in his PROFESSIONALISM
man, unblemished in Misunderstanding
estate, but with the crime of treason
overhanging him. Not long since there
came 70 him in the handwriting Of An
drew Johnson, the man be had always
contemned, with the great seal of the
United States, a full, free pardon for ali
OGenses committed IN aid Of the late re-
belion ~ Thus did this man from the
people teach 70 his lifelong opponent the
great lesson-forgive and forget.