The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1866-06-27
JEFF. Davis Opinion of Andrew
johnson.

w
johnson.
The following extract is taken from
an account Of tho prison.lifo of JEFF.
Davis, By Dr.. Craven, tho official m.di.
cal attendant upon Davis for several
months:
SEPT. Gas Mr.. Davis was speaking
Of tho Senate, asked him bis opinion Of
President johnson, to which for some
moments he made no reply, apparently
hc,itating whether to reply or not At
length hO said, that Of President johnson
be knew no moro than the papers told
every one; but that Of Mr.. Johnso1, whom
10 the Senate, he would ns freely speak as
Of uuy other member. There were, Of
course, differences between them, more
especially just previous to the retire
mcnt Of the Southern reprase utatives
from Congress. The position Of Mr.,
johnson with his associates Of tho South
had never been pleasant, not from any
fault or supercilliousness on their side,
but solely duo to the intense, almost NOR
bidly sensitive, pride Of Mr.. johnson.
Sitting with bis associates, many Of
whom ho knew pretended to uristocracy,
Mr.. johnson seemed to SGT up before his
mind, and keep ever prosOus with him,
his democratic or plcGcian origin as bar
to warm social relations. This pride-tor
it was the pride Of having no pride-his
associates long struggled to overcome,
but without success. Thoy respected
Mr.. Johnson's abilities, integrity, and
greatly original force Of character; but
nothing could mako him DO, or seem to
wish to feel ut homo in thoir society.
Some casual word dropped in debate,
though uttered without thought Of his
existence, would seem to wound him to
tho quick, aud again he would shrink
buck into the sclt.imposcd isolation Of
his earlier life, as if to gain strength
from touching bis mother earth. In
word, while other members Of the Sen.
atc were Democrats in theory or as their
political faith, Mr.. johnson WIS Dem.
ocrat Of pride, conviction, aud self.asser.
tion-a man Of the people, who not only
desired no higher grade Of classification,
but could not bc forced into its accept
anco or retention when friendly efforts
wore madc to that end. lIe was an i'm.
mcnsc worker and student, but always in
the practiculi,ies of life; little in tho
graces Of literature. His habits were
marked by temperance, industry, cour.
age, and unswcrviug perseverance !. also
by invc,crate prcjudiccs or prcconccp'
,ions on certain points, und these no or.
guments could shake. His faith in the
judgment Of tho people was unlimited,
and to their decision be was always
ready to submit. One Of the people by
birth, hc remained so by conviction, con.
tinually recurring to his origin, though
he was by no means the only Senator Of
tho South in like circumstances. Mr..
Davis mentioned Aaron V. Brown, Of
Mississippi, who had been Postmaster
General under President Buchanan, and
several others, who wefo Of like demo-
cratic education with Mr.. johnson, but
who seemed to forget, and in regard to
whom it vas forgotten by their associates,
,ha. they had ever held less social rank
than that to which their talent and 10.
dustry had raised them. Of MIR. John.
sons character, justice was On eminent
feature, though not uncouplcd-as true
Justice rarely fails to bs-with kindli'
ucss and generosity. lie was cmincntly
faithful to bis word, and possessed a
courage which took tho form Of angry
resistance when urged to. do or not to do
any thing which might clash with his
convictions Of duty. Ho WAS indifferent
to money, and careless Of praise or cen.
sure when satisfied Of tho necessity Of
any limo Of action. But for his decided
ATTITUDE against secession, he would pro-
badly have been given tho place Of MIR.
Stephens on tho presidential ticket Of the
coufoderacy. Mr.Stepheus, indeed, held
the same attitude up to the last moment;
but, on the secession Of his State, bad two
oltern atives of State or Federal treason,
as it was called, presented, and chose the
latter.