Norfolk day book. [volume] (Norfolk and Portsmouth Va.) 1868-1880, 1869-08-28
SATURDAY MORNING, Aug. %, 1876
TENNESSEE SENATOR.

The Richmond Wing is taking sem
sible view of the Tennessee Senatorship,
which is likely to fall into the keeping
Of man who, by working on the pre-
judices of the Southern people, in way
somewhat similar to what number OF
other demagogues have done lately at
the South, has done us an almost ire
parable injury. Says the Wing, great
uneasiness is manifested in Radical Cir
clcs at the possibility Of Andy Johnson's
election to the Senate. The event is
possible, but we do not deem it proba-
BILE. The ablest and most influential oil
the Tennessee Conservative journals
take decided ground against his election
The Memphis Avalanche has come out
in support Of Emerson Etheridge; the
West Tennessee Wing, edited by wor-
thy son of Chesterfield, but long a resi-
dent of Tennessee, while confessing that
johnson possesses more ability than any
of the persons nominated, doubts the
wisdom of his selection. The Nashville
Banner, the most influential and judi-
cious paper in the State, devotes two
columns to exposing the folly and mis-
chief of such an election. What posi-
bic good could johnson do for Tennes-
see in the Senate? asks the Banner. He
might make the Senate still more dis
reputable body than it is, and crafty
many an unamiable feeling by pounding
such men as Chandler, Sumner, &C.;
bat what real good would that do for
his State or the country at larger The
Banner continues:
"No matter what Andrew johnson
may have done, or left undone, to the
detriment of Tennessee, he is. by all
odds, the very last person in the State
who could be of any possible benefit to
Tennessee now. His very name is as
suggestive of that agitation, turmoil and
excitement which threatens the peace
we so much need at this time, as the
unfortunate name of Democracy is sug-
gestive in our latitude of secession, war,
subjugation and all the other attendant
evils, losses, failures and misfortunes in
its disastrous train"
The qualification of one mans morbid
vanity and the injury of a hundred thou
sand is the hest that conld come of it.
Conceding Mr.. Johnson's honesty, it
must at the same time be admitted that
he is most unfortunate champion for
his friends. Either the mode of his de-
fence or the time chosen for making it,
renders him fatal and disastrous advo-
cate. The poor South has had enough
of his support. and would be gladly de-
livered of it forever more. The mere
apprehension of his return to the conll-
ellis of the country is even now affecting
injuriously the interests of th4 Southern
States. No doubt many persons, smart
ing under sense of the indignities and
expressions heaped upon the South
would relish the coarse and bitter da-
tribes which the ex-President would
launch at the heads of the guilty par
ties. But the pleasure would be mo-
mentary--the injury lasting. Apart
from the utter impotency of Mr.. john
son for any public good. we confess that
we cannot forget that, as President, he
was eager to have General Lee and
other Confederate Generals hanged, and
would have succeeded but for the firm
and stern interposition of Gen. Grant,
who shielded them with his name and
sword. we have more faith in the abb
lily and willingness of the latter to aid
us than we have in Mr.. Andy johnson.
Neither can we forget the part imputed
to him in the most Infamous affair in
our annaIs-the murder of Mrs. Surratt.
Our only prayer, so far as Mr.. johnson
is concerned, is, that we may be dr'ver-
ed of him for good and all. 4..
The other persons spoken Of for the
Tennessee Senatorship are: Emerson
Etheridge, Fig. Cooper, Baltic Peyton,
and ex-Gov. Mel Brown. The latter is
mentioned by Parson Brownlow-rather
approvipgly. He is high man, and
would make worthy representative of
the redeemed Commonwealth.