The union Democrat., 1869-07-24
Andy johnson on Grant.

!
Ex-President Jobuson arrived here this
evening, and was waited upon sooa after
reaching the Metropolitan Hotel by your cor
respondent, who found the ex-Pres;dent CON-
fortably lusrtered in one Of Shelly's best par
lors, and looking quite fresh and hearty.
Andrew Jonnshn, plain citizen. received your
correspondent with the same cordiality and
kindness that distinguished him 50 highly
while an occupant of the White House.
''Glad to see you, sir, ~ said the ex-Presi-
dent, at the same time handing chair to your
correspondent and sitting down himselk. 'Sit
down SIR"
Correspondence came to pay nv respects.
and. at the same time, to learn if there was
any particular object in yonr visit.
Andy Johnson-Nothing public, sir. /
have some private business to attend to here,
and have also son at Georgetown College,
the only son left to me now. l came TO see
him and attend the commencement of that col
lege. b
Correspondent believe. Mr. johnson,
YOU are the first President since the time of
John Quincy Adams. who has revisited the
Capital after retiring from the White House.
Andy johnson Laughing sir,
don't know how that is. NV attention was
never directed to that point before. 1t msy
be so, however.
Correspondent Well, Mr. johnson. to
change the subject. what do they now think
| of this administration down in Tennessee?
Andy Johnson-I don't know that you
ought to ask me such a question. People
would be very likely to attribute an unfavor-
able opinion from me as prompted by impro-
per motives. You know very well. sir, for
ycu were familiar with my views while was
President axhat my estimate of Grant was,
and don't know of anything that has since
occurred that has caused me to change my
mind the slightest. | know Grant thorough
| ~. had an ample opportunity to study him
when I was President and I am convinced
that he is the greatest farce that was ever
thrust upon a people. Why, the little fellow
excuse me for using the expression, but |
can't help pitying him-the little fellow has
nothing in him. He hasn't single idea.
He has no policy, no conception of what the
country requires. He don't understand the
philosophy of single great question, and is
completely lost in trying to understand his
situation. He is mendacious, cunning and
treacherous. He lied to me fagrantly. by
Cd, end convicted him by my whole Cabi-
net but that would have been tolerable were
it the only instance, but it was not. He lied
on many other occasions. I tell you, sir,
Grant is nothing more than bundle of petty
spi.es, jealousies, and resentments. And yet
they say he is second Washington. Only
! think of it-wten you compare him with
Washington or Jefferson. where is he? Why,
be is so small you must put your fingers on
him. He, a little upstart, coward, physi-
cally and intellectually. to be compared to
George Washington Why, it makes me
laugh. l have more pity for the man than
contempt, for | have no spite against him.
/ But | fear for the country when such man
is likened to the Father of his Country. Why.
Just lcrk at the inaugural of Washington.
! He speaks about his fear and trembling in ac
cepting the Presidency, even after all his ex-
perience and success. But this little fellow
Grant, an upstaIt, mere accident of the war,
a creature without the ability to comprehend
the philosophy of single great question,
says in his inaugural .'I know the respon-
sibility is great, but accept it without fear"
Is that like Washington Or Jefferson? Pshaw!
It's nonsense to think of. Grant, | tell you,
sir, has no idea of policy. Why, Washing
ton considered that mans greatness was
measured by his morality. by the standard
of his soul. And | have always considered
that the more soul man had, the more he
developed the soul of intellect within him,
the more God-like he became. But, sir, Grant
has nothing. Physically and mentally and
morally, he is nonentity. Why. sir, his
soul is so small that you could put it within
the periphery Of hazel nutshell and it might
! hoat about for thousand years without
knocking against the walls of the she'll.
| That's the size of his soul. Just look at the
man sitting at Cabinet council. He has no
idea, no policy, on standard, ON creed. no
| faith. How can he guide the people? How
can he impress any great Improvements or
moral ideas upon the nation? He has no oo-
| iect to look forward to, no leading aim to
draw the people towards any particular end.
! He sits there with his Cabinet. One member
! has bought him a house in Philadelphia, an
I other has given him S65, 900. another has Civ
en- him carriage. and so on. 1t is degrad-
! ing to tie Office of President of the United
States to have such man there. They talk
about his Generalship. Well he was mere
! incident of the war. Men and arms were
supplied in abundance, and his forces were
SO massive that they simply did crush out the
rebellion. 1t would have been done had
Grant never been born. Therefore he was a
mere incident. But the little fellow has come
to think he is somebody, really. 1can't help
| pitying him when | think how we'll | know
him and what an infniressimal creature he
really is. often think about the fttest place
for Grant is at some place in the country
where there are cross roads. / have been at
those places and have often noticed the scenes.
AT one corner perhaps there is a small black
smiths shop. At another corner Of the cross
roads there is grocery shop. and at another
q house where the Squire meets to settle cas-
es. Well, ! have often noticed at such.
junction of several roads that when the
Squirrels business is over some fellows viii
propose a horse race. and to give interest to
the thing barrel of cider and perhaps half
gallon of whisky will be staked on the result.
Now Grant is just suited to such situation.
His IDEAS are of the cross roads order, and he
has not thought above that.
| It is said that after horse is nine years
old a wrinkle comes on the eye-lid, and every
year thereafter he has a well-defned wrinkle
for each year over nine. If, for instance. q
horse has three wrinkles. he is twelve. if four