Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-07-01

An Interview with the Ex-
n President.
Terrific Denunciation OF
Grant by the Great
Impeached.
No Soul, No Ideas. No
Policy.
The Famous Stanton Quar-
The Famous Stanton Quar-
rel. '
cOrrespondenoe of the New York nerad.


dent johnson arrived here this evening
and was waited upon soon after reaching
the Metropolitan Hotel by your cores
pondent who found the ex President
comfortably chartered in one of Shelly's
best parlors and looking quite fresh and
hearty. Andrew Johnson, plain citizen,
received your correspondent with the
same cordiality and kindness that dis
tinguished him SO highly while an occu
pant of the White House.
''Glad to see you, Sir,' said the ex-
President, at the same time handing
chair to your correspondent and sitting
down himself. "Sit down, sir.'
Correspondent came to pay my
respects, Mr.. johnson, and at the same
time, to learn if there was any particular
object in your visit.
Andy Johnson-Nothing public, sir.
l have some private business to attend
to here, and have also son at George
town College, the only son left to me now.
l came to see him and attend the COM
mencement of that college.
Correspondent Il believe, Mr.. john
son, you are the first President since the
time of John Quincy Adams who has res
visited the capital after retiring from the
White House.
Andy johnson Laughing Really, sir,
don't know how tnat is. My attention
was never directed to the point before.
1t may be so, however.
Correspondent-Wel Mr.. johnson, to
change the subject, what do they now
think of this administration down in Ten,
nessee
Andy Johnson-I don't know that you
ought to ask me such question. Peo-
pie would be very likely to attribute an
unfavorable opinion from me as prompt'
ed by improper motives. You know
very well, sir, for you were familiar
with my views while was President,
what my estimate of Grant was, and l
don't know of anything that has since oc-
cured that has caused me to change my
mind the slightest. l know Grant
thoroughly. l had ample opportunity
to study him when l was President,
and l am convinced he is the greatest
farce that was ever thrust upon peo>
pie. Why, the little fellow excuse me
for using the expression, but l can't
help pitying hlm-the little fellow has
| nothing in him. He hasn't single idea.
He has no policy, no conception of what
the country requires. He don't under
stand the philosophy of a single great
question, and is completely lost in trying
| to understand his situation. He is
mendacious, cunning and treacherous.
He lied to me fagrantly, by God, and l
convicted him by my whole cabinet; but
that even would have been tolerable
were it the only instance, but it
was not. He lied on many other
| occasions. / tell you, sir, Grant is moths
| ing more than a bundle of petty spites,
| iealousies and resentments. And yet
they say Grant is second Washington.
| Only think of him, when you compare
him with Washington or Jefferson where
is he? Why he is so small you must pat
your finger on him. He, little upstart,
a coward physically and intellectually,
10 be compared with George Washington.
Why, it makes me laugh. / have more
pity ior the man than contempt, for l
have no spite against him. But fear for
: me country when such man is likened
! 70 The father of his country. Why, just
/ look at the inaugural Of Washington. He
speaks about his fear and trembling in
accepting the Presidency, even after all
I lis experience and success. But this
, ltrle fellow Grant, an upstart, a mere
accident of the war, creature without
the ability to comprehend the philosophy
| OF single great question, says in his in
augural, II know the responsibility is
great, but accept it without fear" Is
that like Washington or Jefferson ?
Pshaw It's msrstrous to think Of.
Grant, I tell you, sir, has no
ideas, no policy. Why, Washington
considered that mans greatness was
measured by his morality, by the stands
ard of his soul. And have always cons
sidered that the more soul q man had,
the more he developed the soul or intel
lect within him, the more God like he
became. But, sir, Grant has nothing.
Physically, a1d mentally, and morally,
he is nonentity. Why, sir, his soul is
so small that you could put it within the
periphery of hazel nutshell. That's
the size of his soul. Just lcok at the man
sitting at q cabinet council. He has no
idea, no policy, no standard, no creed, no
faith. How can he guide the people :?
How can he impress any great improve
ments or moral ideas upon the nation
He has no object to look forward to, no
leading aim to draw the people towards
any particular end. He sits there with
his cabinet. One member has bought
| him house in Philadelphia, another has
given him $65, 900, another has given
him carriage, and so on. 1t is de-
grading to the Office of President of
the United States to have such a
man there. They talk about his gen.
eralship. Well, he was mere incl
dent Of the war. Men and arms were
supplied in abundance, and his forces
were so massive that they simply
crushed out the rebellion. 1t would
have been done had Grant never been
born. Therefore he was a mere incl
dent. But the little fellow has come to
think he is somebody really. l can't
help pitying him when think how well
I know him and what an infnitessimal
creature he really is. l cften think that
| about the fittest place for Grant is al
some place in the country where there
are cross roads. have been at those
places and have often noticed the scenes
At one corner perhaps there is small
blacksmith shop. At another corner o
q the crossroads there is grocery store
t and at another house where the squire
o meets to settle cases. Well, have oftel
9 noticed at such a junction of severa
9 roads that when the squire's business II
Il over some fellows will propose hors
y race, and 10 give interest to the thing
!, barrel of cider and perhaps half gallo
:, of whisky will be staked on the result
e Now Grant is just suited to such sit
y uation. His ideas are Of the cross road
IL order. and he has not a thought abov
that.
r. Correspondent-What do you thin
j. of the general situation now?
% Andy Johnson-Well, think we ar
d tending to despotism or anarchy, unles
Is a proper direction is given to the dis
l. orderly elements at work. We al
le threatened with an aristocracy Of bond
it holders. A moneyed aristOcracy, the
X say, is the most detestable; but cred
y aristocracy, which is only the shadow
,e the substitute for meney, is worse stll
le for it is the moneyed aristecracy dilute
ut and adulterated. | say the bondhold'
es is credit aristocrat. Here is the PR
le ducer, raising his wheat or his cor
What is it worth to him? He sells itef'