Delaware State journal and statesman., 1869-07-02
ANDY Johnson's Estimate of Grant

The N, Y, Heralds Washington correspondent
Of Mondly gives the following account OF h's
interview with the e1-President;
Fx.President johnson arrived here this even
Ing and was waited upon soon after reaching the
metropolitan Hotel by your correspondent
vho found the ex.President comfortably quar-
tered in one Of Shelly's best parlors, and look
inc quite fresh and hearty. Andrew johnson,
Main citizen, received your correspondent WIN
the same cordiality and kindness that dlsnn-
Ruished him 80 hlgnly Whle hn ooouP"u' W '"'
White House. ,,.
0olad to see you, sir" said the ex-Preslaen',
al the same time handing chair to your cor
respondent and sitting down himself "si'
down, SIR"
Mr.. johnson, and at the same time, to learn It
there was any particular object in your visit.
Andy Juhnaon-Nothing public, sir have
some private business to attend to here, and
have also son at Georgetown College, tho
only son left 10 me now. came to see him ana
attend the Commencement of that college.
Correspondence believe, Mr.. johnson, you
are the frat President since the time OF Jobn
Quincy Adams who has revisited the Capltai
after retiring from the White House.
Andy Johnson -(laughng)-Really, sir
don't know how that is. My attention was
never directed to the point before IL may be
so, however.
Correspoudent-Wel MIR. Jobuson to change
the subject, what do they now think of this adj
ministraion down iu Tennesseef
Andy Johnson-1 don't know that you ought
to ask me such question. People would be
very likely TO attribute an unfavorable opinion
from me as prompted by improper motives
You know very we'll, sir, for you were familiar
with my vleWs while was Presidtnt, what my
estimate Of Grant was, and don't know OF any
thing that has since occurred that has oaus'u
me to change my mind the slightest. Know
Grant thoroughly had ample opportunity to
udv HIM uban I was praaident AMI | con-
vinced he ia the greatest farce that was ever
thrust upon q people. Why, the little fell"w-
excuse me for using the expression, but can't
help ritying him-the little fellow has nothing
in him. He hasn't single idea. He has no
policy, nc conception of what the country re-
qulres He don't understand the philosophy OF
single great question, and is completely lost in
trying TO understand his situation. He is men
daoious, cunning and treacherous He lied to
me hagrantly, by God, and convicted him by
my whole Cabinet; but that even would have
been tolerable were IL the only instance, but II
was not. He lied on many other occasions.
tell you, sir, Grant is nothing more than a
bundle Of petty spies, jeaouses and resent,
ments And yet they say Grant is second
Washington. Only think of it, when you com
pare him with Washington or Jefferson where Ii
heH Why he is 90 small you must put your
finger on him. He, little upstart coward
physically and intellectually, to be compared
10 George Washington Why it makes mi
llugh. / have more pity for the man than con
&impt, for have no spite against him. But
-S- ~ fOE -lhe country when sHch man is lhsns,
10 the father Of his country. Why, just look al
the inaugural Of Washington. He speaks abou
his fear and trembling in accepting the Presi
dency, even after all his experience aud SUGGEST
But this little fellow Grant, an upstatt, mer
accident of the war, creature without tn
ability to comprehend the philosophy OF a sing
great question, Gays in his inaugural, ~ kno'
the responsibility is great, but accept II with
ont fear" is that like Washington or Jefferson
PshaWl It's monsirous 10 think OF. drant,
tell you, sir, has no ideas, no policy. why
Washington considered that mans greatnei
was measured by his morality, by the standar
Of his soul AND have always considered lh'
the more soul man had, the more lie develope
the poul or intellect within him, the more Coz
like he became. But, sir, Grant has nothing
Physically and mentally and morally he Is
nonentity. Why, sir, his soul ia 30 small ID
YOU could put it within the periphery OF haz
nutshell aud it might hoat about for thousaI
wears without knocking against the walls Of II
shell. That's the size Of his soul. just lol
at the man sitting at Cabinet ceuncii'
has no idea, no policy, 10 standard, no cree
no faith How can be guide the peopeT HI
oan he impress any great Improvements
moral ideas upon the nationf He has no ooJt
to look forward to, no leading aim to draw
people towards any particular end. He 3
there with his Cabinet One member has boul
him house in Philadelphia, another has CIV
him 500, ,0C0. another has given him carrla
and go on. 1t is degrading to the office
President Of United States TO have such a n
there. Thcy talk about his generalship. W
he was o mere incident of the war. Men
arms we're supplied III abundance and bis for
were SO massive that they simply crushed
the rebellion. 1t would have been done
Grant never been born. Therefore he Wa
mere incident But the little fellow has CT
TO think he Ia somebody really. | can't
pitviug him when / think how well know
and what an infnitessimal creature he reall!
/ often think that about the fttest place
Grant is OF some place in the country VI
khero are cross roads. have been at Il
plsceB and have often noticed the scenes.
one oornor perhaps there is q small blacRsm
ahop At another corner of the cross r.
there is a grocery store, and at another a b
where the square meets 10 settle cases
have often noticed at such Junction OF
erhl roads that when iho squires bueines
over some fellows will propose horse rhce
to give interest to the thing barrel Of
and perhaps half gallon Of whiskey vii
atakud on tho result. Now Grant ia Just
to such q situation. His ideas are Of the
roads order, and he has not a thought q
that.
Correspondent do you regard al
proper course for the crisis
Andy Johnson-Why, sir, sometimes VI
whether there be not some strange hallucin
over me. L put my nanu W NY peha Ah
myaelfif am sane. l find myeelf use
ments that were deemed sensible and tresi
by aome of the greatest minds Of the cot
and yet they are unheeded, perhaps laugh
/ have found myself obliged TO think d.
when was President over great constitn
questions. l have called to my aid the mt
pable minds in the country, and have
from them their advice and wisdom, and
comparing all, and adding what little
arise in my own mind, have endeavo
preuent close, cogent, logical statement
people, and yet have seen such argumel
unon the public mind just like water on q
mack, They rolled off without making q
nression, as drops of water from the bacl
duck. i have been almost stunned at th'
INV in the public mind Talk Of the COT
tion and liberty, Of rights that used to
sacred and inviolable, and you are
soarcely worthy Of an answer other than
tar. What we want, what the count
mands, is solid constitutional gOvernn
Take my own State of Tennessee, and
use il as an illustration, there all tue wea
the element that pays the taxes. that col
tha intelligence aud respeotability of the
ia deprived Of the ballot. Fifty thousa
aroes, with twenty thousand Whites
Government there for one million two b
thousand people. Seventy thousand ot
voting population of two hundred Il
make the laws, while that seventy housa
moi represent the wealth, Teepectability
liueuce Of the State. Seventy thousan
snslaye one hundred and thirty thousan
and population of one hundred thousa
oudent-What do you think
the result of the contest in TennesseeY
Andy Johnson-I think Senter will |
ed. Thousands who remained quiet be
nov actively at work to the State Th
No hant away from the polls are now