, 1866-08-10
Davis on Iohnson

DR.. Craven, attending physician on Mr.. Da-
Wis, at Fortress Monroe, has written book,
from which is extracted the following ... ..
As Mr.. Davis was speaking Of the Senate,
asked him his opinion of President Johnson, TO
which for some moments he made no reply, apS
parently hesiiating whether TO speak on the sub
ject or not. At length be said that Of President
be knew no more than the papers told every
one but that of Mr.. johnson, when in the
Senate, be would as freely speak as Of any 9TH
er member. There were, Of course, differences
between them, more especially. just previous TO
the retirement Of the Southern representatives,
from Congress. The position Of Mr.. johnson
with his associates Of the South had never been
pleasant, not from any fault or supercilliousness
on their side but solely due to the intense, al
most morbidly sensitive pride Of Mr. Johnsou.
Sitting with associates, many Of whom he kneW
pretended to aristocracy, Mr.. johnson seemed
70 set up before his mind, and keep ever present
with him his democratic or plebeian origin as
bar to warm social relations. This Pride-for
it was the pride Of having no 2ride-his associ-
ates long struggled to overcome, but without
success. They respected Mr.. Johnson's abilities,
integrity and greatly original force Of character;
but nothing could make, him be, or feel at home
10 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 be would shrink back into the
selt-imposed isolation of his earlier and humble
life, as If to gain strength from touching his
mother earth. IN a word, while other mem
bers of the Senate were Democrats in theory,
i-as is their political faith, Mr.. johnson was
Democrat of pride, conviction and self-asser-
| tion-a man of the people, who not only de-
sired no higher grade of classification, but
could not be forced into its acceptance or re-
tention when friendly efforts were msde.to that
end. II was an immense worker and etudent,
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 intemperate
prejudices or preconceptons on certain points,
and these no arguments could shake. His faith
iu the Judgment of the people was unlimited,
and to their decision he was always ready to
submit. One of the people by birth, be re-
mained so by conviction, 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 Ms
sSsippi, who had been Postmaster-G General un-
der President Buchanan, and several others,
who were of like Democratic education with
Mr.. johnson. bat who seemed to forget, and in
regard to whom II was forgotten by their asso-
eiAtes, thst they had ever held less social rank
than that to which their talents aud industry
had raised them. OF Mr. Johnson's character,
Justice was an eminent feature, though not uns
coupled, AS true justice rarely fails to be
with kindness and generosity. lie was eminent
~ iHthiul to his word, ana posses-e1 a courage
wL.cl took tae 10 In of angry resistaGcs if urged
to DO, or not 10 90, anything which mishtclash
with his convictions Of duty. He was inditfer-
ent to my and car,l SIS Of praise or censure
when satisfied of the necessity of any line of
action. But for his decided action agains. se-
cession, be would probably had been given the
pace of Stephens On the Presidential ticket Of
the Confederacy. Mr.. Stephens, indeed, held
the same attitude up to the last moment but on
the secession of his State, had two alternatives
of State or Federal treason, as il was called,
presented, and chcse the latter.