Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-04-13
Andrew Johnson and the People Of
Tennessee.

Extensive preparations are oeing maue
10 receive ex-President johnson on
Wednesday next, by the City Council at
this place. What part the Southern
people should play on the occasion looks
clear to our minds; yet some may be
lead to adopt q contrary course from
that recommended by the LEDGER. We
do not think the triumphant coming OF
Andrew johnson to Memphis should be
regarded as day of rejoicing by Ten
.nessee's true sons. or that the people
should cry hozannab, as to savior; for
If there be a man to-day living under
the broad canopy of heaven who should
be loathed and detested by every true man
Of the State, it is Andrew johnson.
He alone is responsible for the present
state of affairs in Tennessee, and the utter
ruin and dowu-trodden condition of the
South. To make proof of these charges
We simply say that it is a well known
mart Of the history Of this State that
Andrew johnson Vas the originator OF
The present goysrnnsni, and was the first
military governor that has been known IN
America since he British lion was made
10 Sepsrt before the victorious eagle OF
he CrIssi Colonies This is the man
who krst placed the chains upon the
peopls 10 whom be owed his elevated
poxer AID irHGence, and who was found
cut Al The tailcr's bench and given posi-
tiou and honor Thinkest thou, then, We
should take this usn 10 Cur bosons, and
as re lie beneath the wheelsof despotism
look Up aud lick the rod that smi,es
MS? We hope there are noIe in the
land so vile and base We repeat it
again, that the entire people of the
South are indebted to Mr.. johnson
for the present PROSTATE condition OF the
South and the want Of State govern
meats for the people. The proof can be
found in the rejection of the Sherman
Johnston armisiice, which would have
restored the then State governments to
all their practical relations in the Union
Then and there Mr. Andrew Johnson anG
the Federal Government belied theil
whole bloody course of four years. II
as was stated by Johnson's sdministrs
ton, that the North was fighting for th'
old Union, under the old Constitution
why refuse the admission Of the South
ern States, when agreed on by and be
tween General Joseph E. Johnston anC
General Sherman That treaty woulC
have sgain restored the States Il
all their rights under the old Constitution
But you, Mr.. Johnson, said mo;
intend to reconstruct the Union after M
own ideas, regardless Of the Constitution.
For you must remember the Constitution
under which you proposed to act di'
not extend your authority TO reorgsn
iziug State Governments and MAXIM
conditions precedent with the people o
those States before they could again b,
admitted into the Union. You did thi
when you required the conventions o
each seeded State to abolish slavery AM
accept Lincoln emancipation proclsms
tiou Is so much Law. Ia your speech q
Knoxville, few days since. you said:
| was President when General lie
surrendered. thought that restoration
was needed, and when there were n
States to be found put them into con
aition. Governors we're insugutated An
States reorganized The work of reol
gsnization was all complete except tn
admission Of Representatives to Con
gress.
We hope, sir, you do not consider u
lost in intelligence with the taking ava,
of our liberties; for when you state tina
there were no States to be found at th
surrender Of General Lees forces, 20
certainly forget that the present gener'
lion has net yet passed away, with whor
everything Of the psst few years is per
fec.ly familiar. We would like to kno
what had become Of all the State govern
ments elected by the people Of th
Southern States and which had been
operation for foas ysars2 They certainl
existed and only cesssd TO do so whe
Ignored by Andrew johnson end b
Cabinet. For, sir, you and the NOftLn;
Congress held, and you still hold, tn
the States of the Sopth could n
secede. and if they did not sseede, pri
shat became of the governments
those Ststes2 You say no States el
listed. What right. then, had you to col
siiiuie State osganiz liionsG The pow
Of the Constitution only gave yoa Il
right aud made it your duty TO ex
cute the laws enacted by Congress
Then, If it Re true, as you hold. that Il
Government sss not disrupted, theI
in endeavosing 70 sake new government
for the people. you were guilty Of usuI
patton, and csu be aecopstsd noihin
bot 3 traitor 10 the Constitution, AZ