Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1868-12-15
JOHNsON-GRANT.
The Retiring and Incoming Press-
dents-The Executive once and the
Waite House.

i
the rising SUM- in attempts to WORRY
Gen. Grant; and on the other hand
great nation has, through parti-
san influences and animosity, chosen
to turn away from one of the truest
defenders of popular rights and
constitutional liberty ever known
in the person Of the retiring Presi-
dent. 6AP &
To one, for his military services
more than equalled in real self
sacrifice by any one-legged soldier
who turns the crank of hand or
gan on the corner Of the city's
streets, to exc out his pittanee from
the government-the people have
presented splendid residences in
three different cities; winding up
by giving him for four years the
White House. To the other, they
have, through their Representatives
in Congress, given little besides
oceans of abuse, added to fierce and
unwarrantable attempts to deprive
him Of a brief remainder Of that
term of office, his by every cOnsti-
tutional guaranty and right.
And vet in view of these widely
different manifestations, what are
the stern facts?
Whilst we would not counsel
abatement of any reasonable display
ofregard toward Gen. Grant, should
we not remember that the present
Chief Magistrate challenged in
times past the admiration of the
bravest and truestin the nation when
the Union was most endangered,
and that his greatest offence, or
'erime"-later-was his noble refu-
sal to accept added and dangerous
powers at the hands of party to aid
party; that it is for this he has been
prosecuted, abused, shorn of his just
prerogatives as the nations chief
ruler, and finally driven into retire
ment by partisan and factiOus
clamor.
Had he surrendered his honest
convictions and his stern sense of
duty to the extremists who beset him
at the beginning of his presidential
term, who does not know that he
might have had a wide and despotic
sway never equalled by any occU-
pant of the White House; but un-
willing to forget there was q consti-
tuition to be defended and deferred
as against military ascendency and
rule, and refusing to be made the
tool of faction, he has only met the
fate of other great leaders and
statesmen, too honest and brave to
be tempted or driven from the line
of duty.
To those who appreciate his in
valuable services to the country in
making the factious remember
there is such thing as the cOnSti
tuition, it is some consolation to be-
lieve that the future will do him
Justice; that if others like him have
been remembered in history for put
ting aside temptations to accept un-
due powers, Andrew Johnson will
not be forgotten. Faithful to his
post of duty in all times and places /;
hardly quitting his official residence
for any relaxation from incessant
toll and public cares for the four
wears, he has been eXcelled in high
fidelity by none before him, as he
will be by none who come after him.
Triumphant over his assailants by a
verdict extorted from maleYolence
and party hate itself; clear in his
honest reputation, and noble in his
attitude of conscious rectitude, re
tirement to private life should not
be his regret, but rather that of a
people, who, in the future history OF
the republic, will find few public
servants equally true, courageous
and enduring.
In this view of the case such Gu
logisms as the following from late
New York paper, the Eveaing Tele-
| oran, are not more than de
/ erved.
"When moving day comes for the oc.
eupants of the White House on the 4tt
of March next, they will 60 out with the
eleanest of hands and the most spOtles:
. of social regulations. There will be ne
charges or insinuatiOns against them o.
having made away with the furniture oil
fxings. Neither will there be any muir.
murings Of disappointment on the part
of such pure patriots as are ever ready
to prove their devotion to men in high
position by rich presents of houses
horses, equipage or plate. Mr. johnson
be it said to his credit never lowered
himself or the dignity Of his station by
the acceptance of such gifts. The PEG
ple ought to remember him kindly,
| only for that one trait Of highminded
ness. It is rarely that they see instances
of it. More's the pity. And as to tn
ladies of his household, they have tn
credit in Washington of discharging the
duties of their position with degree Of
order, elegance and grace never exceeded
in the White House. That is something
to be said to the credit of Mr. johnson
and his family. Much as the Presiden
has been prosecuted politically, no tain
of corruption or meanness or selfshnes;
clipgs to him. He will leave the Whit
House with clean Ihands, and, we trust
with pure heart
We say that the American PEG
ole in their honest convictions, IL
their heart of hearts, must sanction
the above; admit the truth of il
now that the heat of party rancor j
passing away, and when the tim
comes that party ascendency ha
nothing more whatever to fear iron
Andrew johnson, and time has still
further softened party enmity, sue
tributes will multiply, until in futur
years his character as a ruler AM
statesman and patriot will shin
amongst any and all the worthless
who have proved themselves bene
factors to their country. Erring Of
the side of mercy-if erring at a
lin his treatment of a subdue
section of our common county
: and in this, only initiating and emu
,, lating his lamented predecessor, tn
!, whole world of humanity will com
! to cherish the memory of his exalte
magnanimity, whilst the Statesmen
especially, of every land will az
! knowledge the wisdom snd justic
; of his policy, if it was ever desiri
> hle to have indeed a restored unioI