Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-06-30
ANDREW JOHNSON.

As Mr.. DAVIS was speaking Of the Senate,
| asked him his opinion of President JOHN
son TO which for some moments he made no
reply, apparently hesitating whether to
speak on the subject or not. At length he
said, that of President JOHNSON he knew no
more than the papers told every one; but
that Of Mr.. JOHNSON, when in the Senate, he
would as freely speak as of any other mem
Der. There were, Of course, differences be-
tween them more especially Just previous TO
the retirement of,the Southern Representa-
tives from Congress. The position of Mr..
JOHNSON with his associates of the South
had never been pleasant, not from any fault
or superciliousness on their side, but solely
due 10 the intense, almost morbidly sensitive
pride Of Mr.. JoHNscN. Sitting with asso-
ciates, many of whom he knew pretended TO
arist0cracy, Mr.. JOHNSON seemed TO set up
before his own mind, and keep every present
with him his Democratic or plebeian origin
as n bar TO warm social relations. This
pride-for il was the pride of having no
pridc-his associates long struggled to over
come, but without success. They respected
Mr.. IoHNsoN's abilities, integrity and
great original force of character; but nothing
could make him be, or seem to feel at home
in their society. Some casual word dropped
in debate. though uttered without thought
of his existence, would seem to wound him
to the quick, and again he would shrink
back into the self-imposeG isolation Of his
earlier and humble life, as if to gain strength
from touching his mother earth
In word. while other members Of the
Senate were Democrats in theory, or as their
political faith, hfr. JOHNSON was a Democrat
of pride, conviction, and self-assertion--a
man of the people who not only desired no
higher grade Of classification, but could not
be forced into its acceptance or retention
when friendly efforts were made TO that end.
He was an immense worker and student, but
always in the probabilities of life; little in
the graces Of literature. His habits were
marked by temperance, industry, courage
and answering perseverance; also, by in
veierste preiudices or precOnceptions on GER
tain points, and these no arguments could
shake. His faith in the judgement Of the
people was unlimited, and to their decision
he was always ready TO submit One of the
people bv birth, he remained so by convic-
ton, continually recurring to his origin,
though he was by no means the only Senator
Of the South in like circumstances. Mr..
DAVIS mentioned AARON V. Brown, of
Tennessee, who had been Postmaster General
under President BUCHANAN and several
Others who were Of like Democratic educa-
ton with Mr.. JOHNSON, but who seemed to
forget, and in regard to whom it was forgot
ten by their associates, that they mad ever
held less social rank than that to which their
talents and industry has raised them. OF
Mr.. JoHNsoN's character justice was an
eminent feature, though not uncoupled-as
true Justice rarely fails to hc-with kindness
and generosity. He was eminently faithful
to his word, and possessed a courage which
took the form Of angry resistance if urged TO
do, or not do anything which might clash
with his convictions of duty.
lie was indifferent 10 money, and careless
OF praise and oensure when satisfied of the
necessity Of any line Of action. But for his
decided attitude against secession he would
probably have been given The tplace Of
Mr.. STEPHENS on the Presidential ticket OF
the Confederacy. Mr.. STEPHENS, indeed,
held the same attitude ~ 20 the last mo-
ment; but on the secession Of his s. &c, had
two alternatives State or Federal treason"
as il was called, presented, and chose the
latter.