Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-10-07
THE SENATORIAL QUESTION
Who shaH Succeed Mr.. Fowler in the
Sennte?

10 the Editors of the Union and American:
Andrew johnson has not only a national but
a worldwide reputation, and his reputation
has been made by his steadlastness to principle
and his strong advocacy and battle for cOnstitu-
tiOnal liberty.
Who is there in Tennessee, true to the South
and the best interests Of the State, that remem-
bers the decided, yet perilous stand, MIR. John
son voluntarily touk in 1866, when fanaticiSm at
the North, too blinded by prejudice to do justice
to the suffering people of the South. was RAM
pant. and the Radical party determined that
the Southern people should be bound, hand
and foot, and have no voice in the reOrganiZa-
ton and restoration Of the Southern States?
Mr.. johnson voluntarily left Washington and
went to reason with the NOrtheTn people, and
to plead with them for justice to the South.
They met him, not only with cpl.
thets expressive OF their condemnation of
the policy intended for the welfare and hap1i-
ness Of the Southern people, and the speedy res
tOratiOn Of peace and amity between the States,
but they met him with violence. Previous
ly possessed Of the highest confidence
and support of these people, because of his
steadfastness to principle. and because that
principle happened TO suit them for the time
being, he was willing to lose that confidence
and support to maintain his steadfastness. His
own conscience demanded 1.-THE interests of
the country demanded il, and he was
willing to meet the responsibility. lie met and
addressed the fanatics Of the North and suffered
their insults, pleading for justice for the South.
Who can now think of these things and not be
filled with gratitude TO the man who not only
risked his position as President, but his life to
serve his country ia that trying hOur2
What have we seen since? For the deter
mined stand Mr.. johnson took, which we at the
South all know would have quickly restored the
Southern states to the Union, fully organized
and at peace, be was attacked on every side by
persecution. The legislative department of the
government, controlled by fanaticism and
hatred to the South, was used against
him rs the Executive. They tried to impeach
him and throw him out of power. They warred
upon hi N in every conceivable way, but he tri
umphed over them. lie maintained his honor
and his integrity AS true patriot and states
man. But the hatred and fanaticsm which Mr..
johnson was forced to encounter still exists. 1t
exists among the people and it exists among
those who represent them in the councils of the
nation. lie met it in the unconstitutional laws
they passed by his yetoes. and he met it every
where while he was President by his stern coun-
sci. But he Is no longer in position to meet IT,
Elect him Senator. rctu him to the Senate anu
he will have better position to meet it than he
had while President. The friends of cOnstitu-
uOnal liberty and all true men everywhere are
looking TO Tennessee. They call upon and ex-
pect our representatives to send Mr.. johnson TO
the Senate. VIII they, can they, turn a deaf
ear to the appeal? W D. a.