The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-07-20
For the Standard,
AN GRAFTON.


is from the pen of my young friend Peach
down, who has been placed under my spe-
cial care and training, with view to prepare
him to enter the next Freshman class at the
before mentioned distinguished seat OF learn
ing. may remark, in passing, that young
breakdown has some ambition to excel as
public speaker, and hopes to take his first
steps in this direction next Commencement,
by delivering, as Fresh competitor, the fol
| lowing Grafton before q reconstructed UNI
versity. The curious reader may trace some
resemblance between this production and
speech of the Irish Orator, Phillips, on dis
tinguished European whom General George
B. Mcclellan is supposed by some most near
ly to have rivalled.
Concord, N. G.
ANDREW JOHNSON-HE Is FALLEN
We may now pause before that wonderful
phenomenon, which passed before us, like
some ionis fntatus. where utter unreliablllty
ruined the hopes its professions had origin
ated.
Flung into life about fifty years before a
Rebellion, which quickened every energy of a
people who acknowledged no criterion but
slavery, he commenced his course in East
Tennessee, North Carolinian by birth, and
tailor by profession.
He knew no motive but office, heworshlp-
ed no God but political advancement, and
with demagogue's devotion he knelt at the
shrine of his idoatry. Subsidiary to this,
there was no creed that he did not profess,
no opinion that he did not rromulgate; tor
the sake of seat in the Legislature he be-
traved the friends who first lifted him from
obscurity in hope of the Governorshlp ne
upheld the standard of popular rights de-
claring that treason must be made odlous
and the lands of the slave aristocrisy contis-
Gated, he bowed before the national flag a
regular tar heel, he became the adopted child
of the republic, and with q parricidal in
gratitude upon the ruins both of Congress
and the liberties of the people, he attempted
to rear the throne of his despotism.
A protested Democrat, he despised the pop
ular will a pretended patriot, he charged
the representatives of the nation with trea-
son, an d in the name of Moses, he vetoed the
Frcedmen's Bureau bill and proclaimed
without remorse the political dogmas of the
Rhett's and the Yanceys'.
At his touch patriotism was humbled,
copperheads Missed, rebels ruled, the widest
theories took possession ofhis brain, and all
that was Republican and all that was loyal
fled from him as from the glance of destiny.
To inferior intellects his combinations
appeared perfectly impracticable; but in his
own eyes simplicity marked their develop
ment and success would vindicate their
adoption.
Swinging round the circle, nature had no
obstacle that he did not surmount, space no
opposition that he did not spurn; and
whether along the lakes or the tributaries of
the Mississippi, he seemed every where proof
against the demonstrations of popular i'll
will and empowered with selfcomplacencys
The continent was amazed at beholding the
audacity of his policy. Skepticism bowed
to the prodiges of his performance romance
assumed the air of history nor was there
aught too incredible for belief or too fanci-
full for expectation, when the world saw An
drew johnson attempt to enforce his DEGREES
upon free American citizens.
Amid all the progress of public sentiment,
he remained stationary as a democrat
Whether declaring that leading traitors
should be executed. or releasing Jefferson
Davis-acccpting the nomination at Nash
vile or making his 22d of February speech
whether tickling Fred. Douglas or hob
nobbing with the South Carolina delega-
tion-giving his opinion that State forfeits
all ri ghts by rebellion, or weeping whe the
extremes met ut the Philadelphia Conven-
tion-he was still the same logged, obsti-
nate, egotistic individual.
Graded in the South, he easily became
tool for its aristocrisy; and whether Alder
man, Governor or President, his darling as
piration was still to be recognized by the
chivalry. To accomplish this, he made even
loyalty pay tribute. The chivalry knew that
if he disgraced himself, it was to crown
them with honor; that if he exposed him
self to peril it was to repay them with office
and public plumber.
Such is faint and feeble picture of An
drew johnson, the first land it is to be hoped
the LAST man, placed in the Presidential
chair by an assassin's bullet.
That he has done much evil, there is little
doubt; that he has been the occasion of
much good there is Just as little. Through
his opposition we are to-day enjoying the
blessings of universal suffrage and consol-
idated government. State sovereignty has
found her grave in the ruins of the Conted-
eracy, and the slave aristocrisy with its whole
train of tyrannic satellites has fled forever.
Future Presidents may learn from him that
their safest study as well as their noblest, is
the wishes of the people; and the people
may learn that there is no despotism so
threatening against which they have not a
resource in the patriotism of the national
Congress.
The nomination of Hon. Henry J. Ray