The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-11-21
President johnson and the Future.

From "Brick" P0meroy'S " Y. Democrat
OF those who have heretofore occupied the
exalted station of Chief Executive of the
United States, but two alone remain living
witnesses of the grand type of repub licsnism
which permitted the chief ruler OF great
nation to retire from his post Of authority to
the humble, peaceful, but no less resp ponsible
position of private citizen.
Millard Fillmore and Franklin Pierce, ex-
Presidents of the United States, are still spared
to the nation, exempiars of that peculiarly
American simplicity which charaoterzes in
stitutions based upon the will OF the people,
and which underlie a constitutional republic.
Both of these gentlemen, however, appear to
cultivate and encourage unnecessary retire
ment, seemingly bent upon Withdrawing them
selves from the public gaze as far as may be
possible
Some few weeks since the serious illuess of
eX-President Pierce, announced in the public
kilograms, reused the people to the reColec-
tiOn of the fact that there had once been
gentleman OF that name the presiding magis-
trate of the nation. 1t is reasonable to pro-
phesy that should Millard Fillmore be simi-
larly afflicted, the same current of thought
would be revived, and he, too, would be- sud
denly remembered. The fact is, that both of
these gentlemen have played the role of politi-
cal anchOntes to a studie d perfection, strangely
content with this self-impoSed emssculatiou,
and Oblivious of the example Of John Quincy
Adams, who died literally. harnesse1 to the
public chariot.
In a few months Andrew Johnson, now
President of the United States, will resums
the garb of simple citz- nsbip; aud we are con-
vinced, from reasonable appreciation OF the
personal attributes of Andrew Johnson, that
he will not desire to lay quietly by out OF com
mission, dismantled and in ordinary, like a
decayiDg hulk, because of the fact that he has
been President of the United States; but
that he will, aided by the experiences of an
eventful life, and with the force of native intel
lect surpassed by few, devote himself to the
credit and honor of the nation.
We have before us the task OF reconciliation
and mutual forbearance, auimOsitieS and Bit
ternesses of section to be mellowed and soft
ened, extremes aud revolutionary ideas to be
overcome, enterprise and industry to foster
and encourage, education and religion to be
advanced, and the national honor to be- main
tanned at home and vindicated abroad.
son of toll, springing from the humble
walks of life, whose dauntless energy, mental
capacity, courage, and uuqus stiOnaoe patriot
ism have been rewarded by the highest office
in the gift OF the people, is fitting person
upon whom may devOlve this grand work of
progress. The people of the country demand
that the intellect and experience in public
affairs possessed by Andrew Johnson shall not
remain passive, quiet, and inactive, but shall
be- placed at service in furtherance of the
common veal, as long as the vigOr of health
shall remain unto him. upimpaired by the
weight of years. He may be no summer pa
triot, but an earnest worker in gathering the
harvest of prosperous peace, to the confusion
| of those who still sow tares.
We know of no more substantial initial
point from which to inaugurate this consum-
nation than the State of Tennessee. The
! equal of Pennsylvania in agricultural AMI
mineral wealth, and the superior in climate
and cereal advantages, Tennessee is the veriest
pigmy in comparison. The people groau under
| heavy burdens of taxation and incOnsiderdte
| government her regulation of franchise ilibe-
| raj, and vastly below the standard fixed by
| Congress under its military Reconstruction
| laws education denied to the masses; emf gra-
ton with the cOncomitants of enterprise and
capital, comes slowly and unwillingly. In
short, Tennessee, without considering the
wounds of war, is sadly behind the age in all
elements of civil and national pros sperity. The
reclamation of Tennessee will have powerful
relative influence upon the enterprise and
prosperity of other Southern States, aud he
who leads in the first will command in all.
His words will be needed and obsyed as the
words of WISDOM and his light will bs d bea-
con of happier days to come.
Plutarch states that the Pythagorean rule
was mot to take the burden from their felloy,
bat to help him bear it," Andrew Johnson
will help bear the burden of the people, and
will unselfshly devote his future to the public
good.