The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-04-01
Congress on JEFF. Davis and An
drew J Johnson---A Public Disgrace.

At the end of the year 1860, and in
the early days 1861, the air of the whole
South vibralcd with the preparations for
war. 1t was war to be waged against
the Union-war for the destruction OF
the Government Of the United States. In
those same days every stone in the Capt.
tol echoed the valcdictory eloquence of
the Southern leaders, men leaving the
very halls Of the National Legislature to
go and head the reasonable movement,
insulting the common sense of the country
with parade of the reasons that impelled
them to strike at the nations life. Promi-
nent in the number of these men was jeff.
Davis. lie, with his confederatcs, played
this part of the drama with impudent de-
fance. He went away denouncing the
Constitution, and boasting what should
be done TO destroy it-boasting in the
way in which lie would return. Catalinc
to the very letter. None stepped forward
to impede his path. Nay, he went with
the appreciation and encouragement OF
the men who became the great leaders of
the Republican party. He went with the
applause of Horace Greeley, the restless,
vituperative, aud nconsequent agltator
of the Radical press; of Mr. Stanton, the
oily-tonyncd plotter of power. All these
men argued for tho right of jeff. Davis to
go and do what he might for the destruc-
ton of the Government, as covered by
"thc sacred right Of revolution against
tyranny" claiming that to prevent or OPP
pose him would be inconsistent with the
doctrines of tho Declaration Of 1ndepen-
dencc.
Davis, thus applaudcd, thus stimulated.
thus encouraged to believe that ho was
heading Il movement as noble as that
which made the colonies free, went out to
organize and conduct the Internal work.
Davis went out thus, and every Southern
man of political note went with him. save
ono. One man alone of the representa-
lives of Southern constituencies III the
United States Congress did not sympa-
thize with the purpose OF the shareholders
to establish an aristocracy on the ruins Of
our freedom. One Southern man promi-
nent in the wo.ld of politics adhered
earnestly, unfaltcringly, with all the H.
tense fcrvor OF Il positive nature, TO the
cause OF the Union; and this man was
Andrew Johnson. one Of the Senators
from Tennessee. He denounced the whole
treasonablc attempt from the first blow.
No whisper OF tolerance for ii ever passed
his lips. From the United States Senate
he went to fTennessec-nearer to the rage
of battle. He was made military gov
eruor, ard ruled the State with uncon-
qncrab.c will and interchangeable fidelity
TO the cause the nation had Ut heart. lie
was thus participating in the dangers and
savage turmoil of the struggle, while the
Radical leaders wero making plans at
Niagara Fails iorsurrender to the cnemy.
pIumdering the uation in the ISSUE OF
rluinous contracts to political adhercnts.
and breaking down the barriers that
guarded popular rights by arbitrary ar
rests of inoifensvc persons. Such were
the relative positions of men through the
terrible four Years, until the soldiers and
suilors-the men of the nation-malling
their own generals and admirals, ended
the war; and the attempt that Davis had
led. that Chase, Greeley, Stanton, and
Gerrit Smith had encouraged-an attempt
that came nearer success than ever dld
such q revolt bcfore-endcd in failure
thanks to the people, to the man OF the
apple tree, and TO the 'heroin the slrouds.' >
Peace came, and the country breathcd
free in the anticipation of returning hap
piness and prosperity. Over the whole
land men had the sa'no hope, INDUCED
the same rejoicing that the trouble was
over. Wisely generous, the people would
Il il 4 tl,o
and taken it without reserve into full iel-
Iowship, conscious that the men who had
felt the war in their homes, and the bit
tcrness ot the ailure in their hearts,
needed only their own memories to keep
them from renewing the great attempt
But as there are overri Shtcous men, so
there are men who have moro than the
normal quantity ot patriotic spirit; and
both classes are very nice on particulars.
1t turned out there were Il number Of su,
pcrabundantly patriotic men to be heard
when it came to settling terms. They
were the men who had helped Davis to
make the war-the extravagant aboi-
tionsls who could yet SO sympathiy with
slavery as to justify its revolt on texts
from the Declaration of Independence.
These men had not becn-thc absolute and
earnest enemies of the Southern effort till
it chad failed beyond redemption, and
then their enmity blazed out all the
fierccr for being so new and coming SO
lale. These men would not near of peace
on the terms the people declared for.
They made difficulties, insisted on condi-
lions, and mado the nj gycr the basis Of
all propositions; and thus they have kept
mp, till now we have u reign Of anarchy.
But even yet they will not consent to
the punishment of the greatest criminal
OF the age, and jeff. Davis is now at large
with The names OF Horace Greeley and
Gcrrit Smilh-the types and symbols of
Radicaism-on his bail bond yet these
men Secm To recognize The natural neccs.