Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-04-15
PUBLIC LEDGER.
Andrew Johnson's Reception ana
His Past Record.

His Past Record.
The streets of Memphis yesterday con-
tanned almost tne entire population, who
came out to see and gaze at one who had
lately, filled the highest Office in the gift
of the people. There was no enthusl-
asm or pent-up feeling of the heart let
out by the people to welcome ex-Presl-
dent johnson to our city again, but o
display Of curiosity only on the part Of
the great mass to look on man who
had lately been President.
Andrew johnson, as a morning con-
temporary states, is indeed hero re-
turning from field of victory; but the
field is the South, and the slaughtered
enemy our brothers. The brightest
level that spsrkles in his glorious crown
is the achiev ement over his own people.
This is the man, my countrymen, who
boasts of having removed the shackles
from the limbs of the African slaves, and
placed them on you and us, free-born sons
of Tennessee Think yen now we can
love our enemy and heap Goals of lire
upon his head2 We confess that we are
not disposedto do SO, unless this enemy
shall cease to insult US by reminding US
Of the past
Our very soft and good uatured friend
of the Appeal, of this morning, advises
ihusl:
Let us Imeani,g The South turn our
backs upon the past, and looking forward
20 q cheerful future, devote every
energy TO The task before us, in the per-
fornsuce Of which We are assured the
help Of The only usu in Tennessee who
ceuid awaken The enthusiasm the papers
have bees chronicling for weeks.
Nov, as to turning our backs upon the
pas" we would simply say that it is
not SO easily done as might be i'm
agiued by one who has never tried 1t.
The editor of the appeal will not be
compelled to turn his back, BY the
advice he offers 70 the South, for he has
simply to 90 ahead aud he will be right
on the line that be has pursued in
the past, when the dreadful reality was
upon MS, and that he would make Us
forget. The Appeal now does no
discredit to the heads and hands that
conduct it when it advises the South to
accept Mr.. johnson as their champion.
That they have little regard for the
means, 40 the end be attained, is doubt
less their theory. Bat we we're never a
believer in that doctrine, always prefer
ing a course consistent with deceney
and respectability. Let Us to the
point again. This ex President starts
out with the declaration that be intends
10 devote the remainder of his days ID
vindication of his reputation and politi
cal record. That, we regard. as being
highly commendable, for if there be q
reputation that requires yindcating it ii
Andrew Johnson's. We will see how be
deals with the rebel soldier, bu
hope he will not dodge the issue by COINS
of after Radicals, and only sndeavor tC
prove 10 us that be is not, after all, 81
mean msu as one Of these. The frs
little effort at brillishey we would have
Mr.. johnson to clear up can be found il
his speech delivered at Washington oil
the evening on which Richmond wal
captured. The following is an extract
Treason is the highest crime known
in the catalogue OF crimes. snd for hin
thut is guilty of it-ior him that is Will
ing to lft his impious hand against ID,
authority of the nation, i would say dealt
is too easy punishment My notion il
. that treason must be made odious, anC
traitors must be punished and impover
ished, their social powers brsksp, though
they must be made to feel the penalty o
their crime. Hence, / ga,
this: The halter to intelligent, inhu
entail rebels Bat to the honest boy
10 the deluded man who has been de
ceived into the rebel ranks, would sE
tend lenieaey; would say return to you
allegiance, renew your support TO th
Government. become good citizens, bu
the leaders ! would hang hold, toe
that wealthy traitors should be made u
remuneraie those men whShase snfere
as q consequences Of their crime-Un
men who have Loaf their property, VII
have beea driven from their homes, beg
CARS aud wanderers among strangers.
We hope when orr friends read th
above and what follows. that they ma
not consider that we have charged Nj
johnson vroDgfally. Listen again. a
YOU meu Who are now running after thi
political demsgogue, believing that b
may enfranchise the people Of this State
Hear the words Of bis own mouth, for B.
then be stands before this people con
demued.
From Governor Johnson's St. Cload Hote
spesch, January 2. 1854
/ say that The traitoF has ceased 10 b
a citizen. s.d IN joining the rebellion ha
become q public enemy. de forieite
kis right 70 vote with loyal men when b
removed bis citizenship and sought !