Weekly Trinity journal., 1869-05-15
The Andrews johnson and Jackson.

While General Grant sits in the cushions of
johnson, the latter is preambulating Tennessee
and preaching his own obituary sermons. John
son was born demagogue. He ascertaiued it
when he went to the debating school just outside
CT Greensborough, and got applause from the
rustcs there. His career is series of mob-rid-
ings, and he filled the White House with claquers
He always hated somebody, and never acknowl-
| edged that somebody to have any merit Nire
parts of man astraddle hyperbole, he swung
| from poverty to power with all his original ILL
| breeding, and when the White House closed its
doors behind him he felt thrill of relief like
that of Grimaldi, the clown, as Jersribed by
Dickens, when he quilted a dinner table of the
| Peers to return to his congenial sawdust.
His hate was always envy; his ability was al
ways manned by his want of gentlemanly feel
ing. No President ever had such associates, nor
wore his honors with more restiyeness. If he
could have made two stump speeches day from
the White House portco, then he would have
been satisfied with his office.
had talk with some East Tennesseeans,
few days ago. all acquaintance Of Andrew Jack
son, and neighbors of Andrew Johnson. They
told me some anecdotes upon both those men,
illustrative of the extraordinary state of society
which has produced two Presidents. l think
you will not find these anecdotes in Parton book,
though, perhaps, they are worthy of place there.
Jackson knew johnson and liked him. He
nearQ MIN make II speech, anu Salu.
There is something in that young man
There is something in him, gentlemen. He will
probably be Governor of the State of Tennes-
see -
Jackson met Brownlow, also, but only once.
1t was after Whig convention, when the Knox
vile Wings were returning to their homes
horseback. Jackson was living at the Hermitage
in retirement, an ex-President and some one
suggested, they approached the house, that
the party should stop and pay their respects.
Young Brownlow demurred He had published
in his Knoxville Wing some stories in circulation
as to Jackson's domestic life. But the others
insisted, and it was agreed that Brownlow
should not be introduced to Jackson by name.
They entered the large old dwelling, and in due
time the venerable figure of the old man ap-
peared, his countenance expressive of courtli-
ness and dignity. The Chairman said:
"President jackson, we are members of the
Whig Convention, who differ with you, of course
in political sentiment but we thought we ought
to testify our respect for your position by calling
on you as we passed by the Hermitage"
Jackson replied % Gentlemen, we do differ in
sentiment, and probably shall continue to do so ;
but appreciate this visit of respect, and shall
be glad to shake you all by the hand"
They were then all introduced severally, ex-
cept Brownlow, and there was some maneuver-
ing to conceal him amongst the rest; but Old
Hickory's keen eye sought him out.
Here Is young gentleman to whom have
not been introduced, sir.
1" Mr.. Brownlow, President Jackson"
"Brownlow? That is familiar name.
Where did you live, Mr.. Brownlow?"
Knoxville SIR"
"Ah !''-lookiRg him through-HI have heard
of you, Brownlow. am glad to see you, sir p
Instead of resenting Brownlow's visit, Jackson
addressed his entire conversation to him, and
overwhelmed him with civilties.
| was not surprised TO hear several of these
Tennesseeans say that they had Otter Jack
son staggering in the streets of Nashville on
roaring bender. The chastity of both Andrews
was impeached by the same critics The fine
talent of Old Hickory to make money in his store
at 90 Glover Bottom - was compared to Andrew
Johnson's " tolabul fair " thrift; for Johnson is
now we'll ahead of the world. And to this fact
his progress in political place is largely due.
The poverty stricken Congressman is he who is
sure, sooner or later, to be entrapped by some
land grant railroad, or other speculation, and
made to eat ignominious bread.
Andrew jackson, in the opinion of these
'loyal " East Tennesseeans, was man dsin-
clined to fight duels, and be invariably fought
with the cold-blooded determination to kill a
rival or maintain the prestige of his powers.
Here spoke up John Brswnlow, the parsons
fighting son:
"Gath," he said, "my father would never
of society in Tennessee. He was editor and
preacher. They said tThe preacher won't
fight, and therefore we will disgrace the editor
They meant 10 make my father unpopular by
subjecting him to insult he saw the game and
took up their challenges; this made him the
fighting preacher"
The general conversation, after this Interrupt
tion proceeded to tell how frequently jackson
put up with insult when it was not expedient to
fight For instance, John Williams, second in
command at the battle ofthe Horseshoe, rode into
Knoxville one afternoon. lie was raging
Federalist He espied Jackson sitting in the
window of the Lamar house (still standing)
reading paper.
Andrew Jackson" !" he cried "youre cow
ard and id scoundrel"
Williams was a dead shot, and his pistols were
cooked in their holsters. Jackson rose and Slip
ped up stairs. This piece of evasion being re-
ported about town and country, Jackson lost
character and his friends began to fall away.
At this time the duelst Charles Dickinson,
turned up, having come all the way from Mary
land to insult Jackson. So 0verton, Jackson
friend, told him he must fight or retire from pub
lie life. Then occurred the remarkable duel so
fully described by Parton, in which both parties
were cold-bloodedy resolved to kill. Jackson
forty-fye years old Dickinson thirty.
They rode to the Kentucky line. practcing on
the way, and all the talk between Jackson and
Overton was as to how Dickinson could be killed
most expediently.
In the duel Jackson wore long wrapper. He
bent his spine sidewise with his head straight up,
and received the first shot on the left or concave
side. 1t was aimed at the heart and missed by
few inches, striking the shoulder instead.
0verton had disturbed him by crying in wild
shrek, +" Farer (Scotch for fire. so that Dick
inson was startled.
Have missed the id scoundrel?'
n IL .AzI nr-A. 81,
cooked pistol.
Jackson steadied his pistol and took cool aim
Dickinson standing bolt upright before him
and, after long and painful interval: be brought
his antagonist down mortally wounded. Old
Jackson walked off the field with his boot full of
blood, too proud to let Dickinson see that he had
been struck by him. Then he tainted.
(Here the East Tennesseeans called out: I" He
was a murderer He killed Dickinson, taking
all the chances, Disgusting his anotomy, playing
possum, and he's in he'll ~
A great, unanimous chorus went up among
the East Tennesseeans of:
"Yesl Old Jackson's in hell sure r') Cores
nonIcure T1ir010 Tribune