Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-04-16
Andrew johnson before the People
of Memphis.


On Yesterday evening at two o'clock a
large crowd of curious persons, OF all
sexes, sorts and conditions, met in front
of the Overton Hotel in this city to listen
to the speech of ex-President johnson.
There was a stiffness and quiet upon the
SEES of upiurned faces that indicated
deep feeling in the hearts OF the listeners.
We cant say that the feeling was oAe Of
sympathy for the individual who stood
upon the stand and addressed the multi
tude; but, judging from the heaving of
some scared and manly bosoms, and the
muttered curses that would from time to
time escape the lips of these tattered and
manned warriors, the feeling, 1t
any there existed, was one of the most
abject contempt for the demagogue who
was then endeavoring to impress the
crowd with the glory of his great
achievements. The time has certainly
passed, friends, when we of the South
can be made a mere toy of to divert
Andrew johnson 10 his retiracy from the
Presidency. II we were amazed on
beholdng the man, it was astonshment
ut the amount of vanity that.could have
crept into the heart of the old tailor, and
dissusted at q certain amount of toady-
ism on the part Of few old, broken
down politicians, who we're carried back
by the sight of A. j. to the good old days
of pap-sucking, which they doubtless
again had longing for. We listened
as we'll as the circumstances of the occa-
sion would permit. and indeed the
people all gave respectful attention
to the speech but if there was
any enthusiasm or Endorsement OF
the man and his acts by uproarous ap-
plause, we must say that we failed to hear
or understand such to be the case at the
time. Our morning contemporaries, to
whom we feel thankful, gave us the first
information Of snch, and for which we
applaud them for being such fine news
papers, for. without douot, the informa.
ton was news. But not to tire our np-
merous readers with continued daily
reference to this defunct ex President.
we would beg their indulgence for to-dsy,
that we may make an allusion to the
speech of this modern Moses. We allude
again 10 this man that our friends may
know that we are right in saying that
Andrew Johnson is not in favor of
enfranchisiDg rebals, and that we should
beware of this mas. sbo has betrayed
every party and every people who have
trusted him. As to proof of the charge
aud we hope never to accuse any man
wrongffully--we simply ask the advocates
of Andrew johnson, if they can put their
fugers on & paragraph or q line in
this gentlemsns speech. IS published.
where be states that he is Ia favor of the
enfranchisement of men who followed
the Confederate fag2 No, sirs, you Gao
not. If so, you have more acutsness
than we can boast Of. For. gbeneyer he
aludes to the people and their psssent
condition it is dons in SO vague man
net that he is by no means pledged to
use hig endeavors to have the South and
more especially the people Of this State
relieved Of the chains be himself hes
placed upon them. No; but upon the
contrary, he reads from 9 former speech,
which he made during the lsts var, and
endorses again what he then ssid==opr
posing rebels ever voting or holding
office. This 10 only an extract and
alludes TO the loyal men which don't
mean rebels. This is the extract:
1--WE want no Moses but yoa," again
shouted tie crowd.
"Well, then" replied the speaker,
humble and unworthy as ! am, if no
other better be found, | will, indeed, be
your Moses, and lead you through the
Red Sea OF war and bondage to fair
future Of liberty and peace. speak now
as one who feels the world his country,
aud all who love equal rights his friends.
/ speak, too, IS q citizen Of Tennessee.
/ am here on my own soil, aud here /
mean to stay aRd fight this great battle
of truth and justice TO triumphant end.
Rebellion aud slavery shall, by God
good help, no longer pollule onr State.
LOYAL men, whether white or black, shall
alone control her destinies, and when this
strife in which we are all engaged is past,
/ trust, know, We shall have better
state Of things, and shall all rejoice that
honest labor rssps the fruit OF its own
industry, and that every man has q fair
chance in the race Of life.
We hope after reading this there viii
be none so blinded by this demsgoging
tailor as to believe that be intends a
purely disinteresied act of palrioiism in
sndesvoring 70 have the fres-born Of our
State enfranchised. Bat to look little
beyond our noses, We esn readily see that
lis real object is self glOri6cation, ahd
hat Andrew johnson is the only man,