Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-04-03
From the Nashville Press and Times
Two Views Of Andrew Johnson by Ex-
Gov. w. B, Campbell,


Some days since we published a paragraph EN-.
bodying current report 10 the effect that Hon. w
Is. Campbell had said since his return from Wash.
ington, that the Democratic party was dead that
the President had lost the confidence of all parties
and should resign that il was the true pocv of the
people 10 elect Radicals, and that he would not be
candidate for reelection. Our purpose in publish
ing these current reports 10 induce the dstin-
gushsd gentleman who represented this district in
the last Congress 10 take position before con-
sttuency ia whose behalf he had not uttered word
since his election 70 Congress. He has published 4
reply 10 our paragraph 10 long letter addressed 10
rs, through the Union and Dispatch The letter Was
sent 10 US at the same time, but was laid over by
reason Of the prossarc Of other matter Here is the
letter:
LEBAEeN, Tenh., March ls, 1867.
TO the Editors Of The Press and Times, Nashville,
Tennessee;
In your paper Of the l5is inst, under the head of
"a view Of the situation" you state that
Here follows our paragraph
With the exception OF tie statement that would
not be candidate for reelection there is not one
word Of truth in your statement from the beginning
TO the end and the person making the revelation 10
you upon which you have based this article has
fabricated the whole story did not state TO any
one either friend foe, while in Nashville last
at any other time or place, that IL folly for the
Conservatives 20 attempt 10 candidate in this
district or in the State nor did state to any one
all prospect Of resurrection, and ali friends Of the
State should cut loose from it Immediately" On
the contrary believe and stated, that the Con-
sarvatives Of our State should run candidates for
every Office and that with fsir election, without
the interpositon of the military we can elect the
entire State and Congressional tickets.
Nor do 1 believe that the Democratic party is
dead; on the contrary IL is now a most powerful
living party and bids fair before long TO be vital
lied into majority of this nation-now mum bering
amongst its leaders host of the most talented pure
and patriotic statesmen in the land and rank and
file equally pure and patriotic, vho have stood firm
ly by the Constitution and Union, and opposed all
those Radical measures which violated the Consti-
tuition, and which have destroyed our once free re-
publican government.
/ never stated 70 any one 'thAt the President had
lost all his influence and the respect and confidence
Of al parties and everybody, and that he ought out
Of selirepeot 10 resign and retire TO private life
bat the contrary believe that the President has
today the respect and confidence of sgery right
minded, constitution loving iaw-abdiES and patri-
oc citizen Of the nation and that his traducers and
viili6ers are unprncipled politicians, whose sole OBJ
iect is TO maintain themselves in power plunder the
public treasury, TO enrich themselves out Of the
spois Of Office and TO destroy and despoil the States
lately in rebellion l have no idea that the Presi-
dent viii crafty his vindicive and inscriptions
emies, and mOrtify his honest Conservative frstds
by q resignation.
I am decidedly Of tae opinion that the Radicals
have already destroyed free form of government
and have erected upon its ruins despotism consti
tuted Of majority of Congress, which has virtually
set aside the two coordinate departments of the
goyernment-the Executive and Judiciary and are
now engaged in organizing and drawing around
them military organization which is TO maintain
their sway and secure the continuance of their par
" supremacy in Congress. A bill providing for
the organization and equipment of two regiments
IN each Congressional district throughout the Uni
ted Ststes came near passing at the last session Of
Congress, and will doubtless become q law during
the Fortleth Congress By this bin the militia Of
the State are 10 be differed and equipped and paid
by the Federal Government and 20 be under the
control Of the Radical Congress. who win use this
militia force to intimidated the people snd control
the elections IN every State. If the petple wish 20
enect anything bad get any favors from he Rad
lcA congress, they should doubtless elect Radicals
70 once. But believe that no greater evil can
ueisll TINS nation than the continuance of political
power, either in the State or in the General Govern
nent in the hands Of the Radicals
lou sIate lhat you bctierc entertain the views
expressed IA tha article above quoted. You are not
Canal1 IA tus staYsmeut for you really believe no
such thing; nor II there q Radical ar Consorvs.iva
10 the State, who knows me who can ba noa5. "a
believe any such statement. Nv public sn5 v,-;s,s
s1pressions-my votes in the last Congress and nv
whole conduct negative the ststement-hence how
oaA you belieUc It?
But YOU state that we know Gov Csmnbsl, -
sertsins profound contempt for Andrew johnson
as a man and politician and the coE;seapt is not
Of recent origin This assertion coming from a
gentleman conducting one Of the the leading jour
mails IN the State, astonishes me. IL IS positively
most untrue You have no such knowledge.
never had any such feelings Tor Andrew johnson as
profound contempt even when arrNyed on oppO-
site sides In politics. He always regarded in this
State as a champion worthy 10 encounter the most
accomplished and distinguished orators and states
men Of bis opponents. His well known honesty
and frmness-his freedom from the charge Of pee
ulation while occupying public trust Of using his
political position advance the private interest Of
himself or his friends, always commanded my re-
spect and admiration. When Northern Abolition
sis in Congress quaed and turned pale before bra
zcn-faced secession in 1860 and 1861, who was so
bold and dauntlesE in the cause Of the Union An
drew Johnson?
His benign and eonciliatory reconstruction policy
specially as well the whole policy Of his admin
.s.ratlon, has had my very decided approval and
happOrt.