The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-04-01
Andrew johnson.


The following article is copied from
recent number of the Chronicle and Sentl-
mel, and clearly expresses the sentiments
of the Southern people:
We are not the apologists Of Andrew
johnson, neither do we intend TO assume
the position of defender OF his admins
traton. On principle we could do neither.
In reviewing his career since he assumed
the Executive Chair made vacant by the
assassination Of Mr.. Lincoln, VIC find much
more to condemn than we can ever ap-
prove. If we examine his course while
the war was in progress, we fail to dis
cover Il single act or sentiment done or
spoken by him which docs not prove him
to have been bitter partisan and deadly
enemy to everything which We OF the
South considered necessary for the pro-
lection of our honor or the security of our
interests.
When General Johnson surrendered to
General Sherman in April, 1860. Mr.
johnson had it in his power then to have
secured the acceptance, and ratification OF
the terms of the Convention entered into
between those distinguished officers. The
whole country, North and South, were
tired of war and strife, and learned for
peace. The North in that Convention
secured all that, up to that time, had
been claimed by them as the object 1or
which the war was wagcd-the nreser-
walton of tho Union. Tho question of
slavery they would willingly, nay, gladly
have left to be decided under the provs.
ions of the Constitution OF the United
States as it then stood. Peace and re-
stored Unon-the renewal of the allesl-
ance of the Southern people TO tho Fed
eral Government was fully secured ~
that Convention, and if the people Of the
North had been permitted to act directly
upon the Hilsborough Convention would,
with great unanimity, havcd ratified and
approved 1t. -.
President johnson felt IL personal Bit
terness and hatred toward the respectable,
intelligent and more wealthy citizens of
the South. IEc determined TO crafty the
feelings of resentment which he bore TO-
ward us. lie opposed the rehabilitation
of the Southern States and the restoration
of their ancient relations TO the Govern
ment unless upon terms fixed by himself.
He undertook, without warrant or au-
thoritv of law, to set up Provisional Gov
ernments in the seeded States and claim
ed. that as Executive OF the Nation, he
had the right to compel the States to
accept such terms as he might dictate.
Tie results which have flowed from
this illegal conduct of the President are
plainly marked in the exclusive and re-
vengctul legislation of the Federal Gov
crnmcnt toward tho South for the past
three years. When the President saw
that Congress, cmboldened by his own
iniudiciors and illegal conduct: was dis
posed to 90 II step in advance OF his own
programme of exclusion. he began TO take
the alarm, and desired to arrest their
revolutionary legislation. Congress re-
fused to be controlled by the views Of the
President and a rupture followed.
When the several excluded States
formed theirncw governments, and, under
the demand of Mr.. johnson, ratified the
Constitutional Amendment ;nollSh.nS
slaycry-rcpndiatcd their debts created
during the war; and passed necessary
lows for tho protection Of the person and
,,ronorty ,n of their late slaves. MIR. johnson
Giomanded that they should be restored
TO thcir former relations to the Federal
Congress then took a step
in advance, and refused to recognize the
validity of those acts done by the cxclu-
dcd States which might benefit their con-
dition and admitted the validity of those
,cts nlone. which were in accordance with
tho Radical programme.
Since the summer of 1886 Mr.. johnson
has been. in our Judgment, earnestly de-
srous for the admission of Southern rep
resentatives in the National Councils, and