The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1869-04-09

We could notice but little change in the
appearance of the man since he left
Nashville four years ago. The eye is a
little more sunken, and with less lustre
there are a few more gray hairs, the
face shade or two palcp induced per-
haps by recent sickness, and the form a
little less erect. 1t is evident that the
man has stood up well under the terrible
strain which has been upon the eXccu-
tive officer during his administration
and he seems now us full of robust vigoi
and energy, as well poised, positive and
self-reliant, as when we first heard him
from the hastings quarter of CEN
tury back, warning the people to cling
to the constitution of the fathers as tho
great sheet anchor and refuge of civil
and political liberty.
We are not presumed to be as partial
to Mr.. johnson, or as likely to become
enthuscd" or carried away by his pres
ence or his utterances, as those who
were in active concert and svmpa-
thy with him during and since The late
war. We can therefore in what we have
to say about him, on this and other
occasions, speak with perfect candor
and sincerity. 1t would be miracle
indeed if Through his long public career
he had made no grave mistakes; had
,,, han hn ,Nn1;t;,n1
pest was at its highest, occasionally
yielded to passion and prejudice, and
failed to cherish q proper spirit of len
iency and frankness toward his oppo-
nents. But we have ever regarded An
drew johnson as among the most re-
markable men this great country has
produced. Remarkable for his broad
and massive intellect: remarkable tor
indomitabe energy and pluck remark
able for the tenacity with which he has
adhered to certain line of policy all
through life, hating at no obstacles,
nor turning away from distractions
that would have appalled, less deter
mined nature and most remarkable of
all, for boundless and answering
confidence in the ultimate sense and
justice of the American people, never
responding or doubling, even in the
most disastrous hour when his enemies
had him almost at their mercy and all
seemed about to desert him. There is
general apathy among the masses in ev-
cry direction in regard to any thing
connected with political affairs. The
dominant party have run the machine
in such reckless manner, have depart
ed so abruptly from the Old charts aud
landmarks, that the better portion of
citizens Of all political organizations
have come to regard the whole bust
ness with aversion, and are disposed to
turn away from it in disgust. Under
such circumstances no man but An
drew johnson could have drawn to-
gether such an assemblage as gathered
at Knoxville last Saturday; and no 9TH
er man could have held il massed about
him in fixed and earnest attention as he
did for two hours.
A stand had been erected in front of
the Lamar House, and at a little after
II o'clock, the Ex-President appeared
and was introduced to the asscmblage
by the Hon. L. n. II. Nelson. After
the cheering had subsidized Mr.. johnson
proceeded to thank the auditors for the
cordial and hearty greeting they had
extended him. lie had returned to his
State. to seek the repose and quietude
of private life, after long and labori-
Gus public career. lie was again among
the people Of Tennessee, his old friends
md llow-citizens-not in search of
place or preferment, for Ire had assembled
from the bottom TO the topmost round,
and the measure of his ambition had
been filled to OVERLOOKING. He was now
in their midst private citizen, and in
tended to devote the remainder of his
life to the vindication of his official
policy, and his State from the obloquy
hat had been heaped upon it. Though
perhaps bent by the storm, it had not
,roken him. He could stand erect in
.he presence of his fellow-men, with |
'lear hands, conscious of the purity Of
his intentions, and of having chung to
he Constitution and the laws made in
pursuance thereof, from first to last, as
he only hope and safety of the coun-
ry;. and he would warn that vast as
old and young, as one who
Knew what he was talking about, that
hey must speedily get back to the Con-
and the great fundamental
principles upon which it is founded,
r their liberties would perish forever
nd the government sink into the worst
ind of despotism. He referred in an
arrest and impressive manner to the,
1onstrous usurpations of Congress of
he persistent efforts of that body to alb
orb and destroy the powers which be.
'nged to the coordinate departments