Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-07-13
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
Ex- President Johnson 8
Speech at the National aa
Capital. D'ha
Radical Fear that johnson
will Get into the g
= Senate. y 2 ''.>l
Grants Popularity Waning.

The Washington correspondent of the
New York Telegram writes as follows
| Andy Johnson's talk with q reporter
and his subsequent speech On being sere-
naded by some of the old Conservative
citizens of Washington, have been the
principal topic of conversation during the
past week. Whether Andy johnson
showed bad taste or not, whether it COM
ported with the dignity of an ex>chief
magistrate to so plainly discuss the mer-
its of his successor, whether in fact he
merely spoke the truth, or gave utter<
ance to the thoughts Of a disappointed
and jealous man, or not, are questions
about which people are pretty well dis
yided, and which, perhaps, will not be
settled by the present generation. The
strong partizan feeling Of the times will
have to be smothered and effectuaily
crushed out before people will be in a
proper frame of mind to judge dispas.-
sionately and impartially. Rampant Rad.
icalism and apprehension will have to
be numbered among the things that
were ere the world can decide whether
in Andrew johnson there is anything
above the petty politician or demsgogue,
and whether Hiram Ulysses is silent
Scion or an unspeakable humbug. Andy
johnson boldly proclaims to the world
what he believes, disregSrding all mere
conventional rules, and asserts that
Grant is the largest farce lever thrust
upon people" a.I
"a second Washington" shouts Andy.
20 yes, about as much like George, the
first father of his country, as the plucked
goose of Diogenes was to Plato's man."
THAT idol of the people," exclaims
Wendell Phillips, whose silence is wis,
dom, and the puff Of whose cigar is states
manship."
Both of these are fine pieces Of sar-
casm, and it would be hard to determine
which is the more admirable-Anoy's or
Wendell's. 1t is pretty certain, however,
that Andy's amusing Illustration has
made sensation. 1t was one of those
felicitous hits which live, and it is not at
all improbable "the plucked goose will
stick to Grant quite as adhesively and
permanently as the dead duck' plaster
will attach to poor John Forney.
There were many Republicans present
at the serenade, who went to join in the
ridicule and derision of the ex~President,
but Mr.. johnson made so many good
points; his blows were so well directed,
and his adherents were so largely pre-
dominant, that the aforesaid Republicans
made no unpleasant demonstration. On
the contrary, some of them enjoyed the
pOkes at Grant amazingly, and laughed
outright, especially over the "plucked
goose and the motto of imperialism. Al
together this last speech Of Andy is re-
garded as the best he ever delivered. He
has gone from us again, but not without
leaving behind an impression that he still
lives and has considerable combatiye
material about him, which will bother
Grant and his party more than they will
relish. THAT johnson will be thorn
IN the side of our party as long as he
lives" said prominent Republican, after
reading a report of the ex-Presidents
speech. "Say what you will about him,
by thunder, he has the DEVILS own fight
in him. l tell you, sir, if he ever gets
back to the Senate he will make some of
US sweat, and confess it looks extremely
favorable to the Democrats or Conserva.
tive party carrying both Governor and
Legislature, and then, good>by to your
Radical party in Tennessee forever"
Good-by, indeed, for once let Andy ats
tain the helm, and if he don't sweat"
out all the Radical philosophers it won't
be his fault, or for lack ofinclination.
1t is remal kable how very soon Grants
star has commenced to descend. Only
four months in Office, and he seems to
have become one of the most unpopular
men in the country. His friends are
few indeed, and those few not of the
calid or enthusiastic order. His reticence
has ceased to excite curiosity, and now
only occasions oppressiveness and repuln
sion If it is put on, he ought to take it
off once in a while, for the constant wear
is rubbing it thrsadbare. Its novelty is
gone; its wisdom is played out. You hear
on every side an inquiry very much ike
this: "What sort Of man is it that don't
say something some time or other? Can
man have anything in him who can't say
NOIu vi ouJ OOCoolOhJ hSlthOl ~ pun
lie me citing, nor at private dinner party,
nor to few college boys?"
The other day was talking to a fors
Los mister here and found he had the
ane idea Of Grant. 81 have attended
fifteen diplomatic dinners" said the min
lister, land met Grant at them all. 1t
was always snow in his vicinity. He
was cold, taciturn, and unhappy looking.
He never smiled, never let off joke,
never talked but yes or no. and never
touched the wines save as lady, taking
one glass of champagne at the termina-
ton of the dinner. don't like Grant,
and can't say l understand him without
saying what would not be creditable to
him. Ali l am sure of is that he acts
lie, man greatly assembling, or ez
travsgsntly ignorant. like johnson
very well; for, though he has fire in his
brain, he is polite, laxative, not stupid,
and not reckless of social forms. john
son, at the dinner-table, conversed.
Grant, in the same position, was silent,
and, at the end, never failed on rising to
breathe more freely, like man relieved
from terrible weight after a long OPP
preston"