Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-06-30
THE PRESIDENT.

We hate Andrew Johnson win an
intensity that has no mitigation. In
our view he is worse man than JEFF.
Davis, who is the most infamous char
acter of modern history, johnson ex-
cepted. He offends as few men have.
He bears a load that few men have borne.
There is reserved for him nthe memory
of mankind fate that none would care
to endure. y Chicago Pest Rad U.i.
If there is any virtue in love of coun-
try; if there is any virtue in being i'm
rnemorably true to the distinctive features
of the government under which we live;
if there is any virtue in being the earnest
and consistent friend and champion of
the PEOPLE; il there is any virtue in
being the life and death defender OF the
supreme law which the people ordained
if there is any virtue in standing side by
side with the long and luminous line OF
great aud good, whose names adorn and
give character to the annals of their
country, and in pleading for the preser-
vation of what their blood and wisdom,
their sacrifices and sufferings, won; ii
there is any virtue in being all this at
the risk Of life, reputation, through
threatenings, through prosecutions,
through scourgings, through reyilings,
through evil and through good report, and
through much tribulation for conscience,
and for country's sake, Andrew Johnson
need not dread the page which calm and
unprejudiced history will fill with his
name. When the Chicago Post, with all
it's singing brood, has passed from the
recollectious of men; when its I'VE hate
Andrew johnson with an intensity that
has no mitigation" is buried and for
gotten ebullition of impotent and mis-
placed anger when the whole pursuing
horde of distempered asssilants, now
wildly crying for the Presidents destruc-
tion, and, as the sequel thereto, for the
laws overthrow, and for the countrys 8
ruin, are remembered only, if remem-
bered at all, to be pitied or despised
when il shall be said, as it will be said
hereafter, and in sense that will throw
a radiance around the memory of the
President, that he "bore burden that
few men have borne" he will be honored
with shrine more lasting than monu'
meatal marble. shrined, as he will be, 10
the hearts of his fellow citizens, as the
strong defender of their political faith,
the answering champion of their Hber-
ties as defined by law, the vigilant guar
dian of threatened rights, the anxious
toiler for an undivided country and Tor
fraternal concord in the darkest hour OF
the nations peril. oiaf Hc
HE otfends as few men have says
an enemy. Yes, he offendsa as the water
does that quenches the conhagration as
the house does that is builded upon a
rock, and defes the storm as the law OF
God does that stands in the way o t sln-
ners; as the law Of men do which pu nlsh
the transgressor; as the hierarchy oil
Heaven did when Lucifer was cast dow n.
Such is the nature of Mr.. Johnson'S
offending. How different il might have
been had he but yielded to the tempter
Was he not taken up into high noun
tain by the tempter, and was he not
shown all the kingdoms Of this world, its
principalities and powers; and was not
absolute dominion over all promised if he
would bow down and worship him ? How
different it might have beenl Had he
but yielded he might have been the Luz
eifer of his party to-day, aud the politi-
cal friends that now breathe out against
him their internal malice, as il to blast
him, would have been kneeling at bis
feet. What an immortality Of iufamy he
has lost
But this was not to be. A triumphant
spirit Of evil was never ordained. lie
was not created for Lucifer, but to baf-
he schemes of iniquity and wrong not
unworthy Of such an original He was
offered much, everything, all things, 10
turn upon his country and crush her;
but he cast them soornfully aside. he
kept his faith to bis country, remained
true to her, 20 her real interests, aud to
her glory. He clasped TO bis heart the
charter Of her existence aud her liber-
ties, ready TO defend them through every
extremity Of danger. How different II
might have been By this attitude Of
defense, this steadfastness on his coun-
trr's side. this opposition to what is ut
terly revolutionary aud wrong. may It
nof be-who can say-may II not be that
the prison doors have been kept un-
opened, the persecuting hrss repressea,
and, perhaps. the gibbet avoided Who
can tell7 For the moment, in times Of
great national disturbance and excite
ment, when vital principles OF govern
ment are attempted 20 be radically
changed-uhen old landmarks are over
borne, and old ideas no longer accepted
as q guide-for the moment ve say,
under such circumstances, and such q
temper Of the public mind, vhen repre-
sentative men declare that they are
Law unto themselves" and By The name
Of committee, on this OF that subject,