Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-03-04
A. johnson on she GrIdlron.

With the surrender Of Lee to Grant, on
the 9th Of April, 1855, the position Of Presi-
dent of the United States became one Of
greater responsibility and honor than that
Of any sovereign ia the world. On that
day it was worthily flied by q citizen whose
qualities and career placed him by tho side
Of Washington. Five days lister, on the
night Of April 14th, the hand Of an assassin
struck down Abraham Lincoln, and Andrew
Johnson succeeded 10 his exalted station.
If the victories Of the republic had made
this high post one Of unexampled dignity
and importance,th blood Of our purest and
noblest man now conseeyated the place, IN
the eyes not only Of our own land, but of
the world. AS far as civilization extends
and Justice is revered, was spread abroad a
sentiment Of respect and sympathy for the
official head Of our country, at the moment
when Andrew johnson succeeded to the
Presidency. If be did not command, even
at first, all this sympathy, it was because
he bad already given the saddest evidence,
on the occasion Of his inauguration, that
his character had side of weakness if not
Of baseness. Yet the disposition every
where was to forgive, and 20 indulge the
hope that this man Of SO humble origin
would make himself Il name worthy of the
critical hour in which he entered upon bis
high position.
The elimination Of Andrew Johngon's
career was the moment in which he was
nominated for the Vice Presidency. On the
10th Of June, 1864, immediately after the
Baltimore Convention, Mr.. johnson made
a speech at Nashville, in which he used the
memorable words, 30 often quoted apainet
him say that traitors should take
back seats in the work of restoration. If
there be but ave thousand men in Teunes-
see, loyal TO the constitution, loval To free
dom, loyal to justice, these true and faithful
men should control the work Of reorganiza.
ton and restoration absolutely. / have
been most deeply panied at some things
which have come under my observation.
We get men in command who, under the
influence Of fattery, fawning and caressing,
grant protection to the rich traitor, while
the poor Union man stands out in the cold,
pushed aside, unable to get a recognition Of
his claims. hare been on a qridiron for t,co
years az tke sight Of these abuses
The principle here laid down showed a
man whom IL seemed safe to trust with the
interests Of the nation at a iuncture Of m.
paralleled Importance This vigorous de-
mand that traitors take back seats and
leave to the unconditional Unionists the
work Of reconstruction; this idcntifca-
ton Of loyalty 10 the constitution with
loyalty to freedom and to Justice; this pen
etration and exposure Of the course OF mill
tary officials; this energetic denunciation
Of favor to the rich traitor and neglect of
the poor loyalist; all had the right ring,
and were reasonably deemed signs Of an
integrity solid as adamant. Even when, il
the midst Of overwhelming grief, on the
10th Ct April, 1865, we remembered tho
mandlin indecencies Of Mr.. Johnson on the
ata OF March, loyal men yet congratulated
! themselves that an iron hand would now
hglo the sceptre Of cur victorious cause, and
Whatever remained Of rebellion be ground
=, - powder under an administration infexi- |
bic as fate
=, Al Is needless 20 recount the history of
1r. 'ohnson,s treason to show how traitors
nave taken front seats how the true and
lAl1niai men Of the South have been denied
control OF reconstruction how the rich |
traitor has been favored, while the poor
Chiohist has stood out in the cold. The |
a.rocltles which have marked the execution
OF MI J0hnson's policy are fresh in the /
memories Of all. New Orleans alone has
tale Of blood which viii make the name Of |
Johnson execrablc in history The stolid |
bVuplatty Of his crimes hardly finds a I
gafallel IN recent times, unless Il DO ia
1heooore OF Abyssinia. The fyrossncss of
ms seiiconeeit, the enormous absurdity Of