The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-02-19


years OF age, however, we are incliued to doubt
the strict accuracy OF the chr0nicler. In 1890
he was likewise elevated to the Mayoralty of
Greenvile, holding the position for three years.
In 1885 be was sent to the 10 yer house OF the
state Legislature from the counties OF Greene
and Washington aud soon attained prominent
position in that body. HIS determined opposi-
tion TO a scheme OF internal improvements
caused his de;eat when he again, in 1887,
aspired to legislative hoDoTs. But the utter
failure OF the project and the great increase In
the State deot resulting, indicated his fore
sigh, and in 1889 he was tr,umphantly returned
q member OF the Legislature. In l840 he took
an acive part in the Presidential campaign,
being Que of the Democratic Electoral oandi-
da'es, aud canvassing a great portion of the
State, with a very gratifying success. In lS4l
he was promoted 10 the State Senate, being
elected member OF that body from the Greene
and Hawkins county district .
In lS43 he entered the Congressional arena,
being elected a Representa- i've from the First
district OF Tennessee over Colonel John A..
Asken, United States Bank Democrat. His
htst appearance upon the floor OF the House at
Washington was as an advoc ate OF the resolution
restoring the amount of the fine imposed upon
Andrew Jackson for placing New Orleans under
martial law. He soon after signalized himself
by hearty advocacy of the annexation OF
Texas, and by denouncing Mr.. Olingman, OF
North Carolina, for attacking the course OF
Ger ain members OF the Catholic Church during
the preceding Presidential election He was
re elected 10 Congress in lS45 and Joined ear
nestly in he cry of Fifty.iour forty, or dghtin
on the disputed boundary question with Great
Britain, but thought 1t best to sustain Pre- ident
Polk in the fual a1ius ment OF the difficulty.
Again re-elected in ls47, he raised his voice
in support Of the veto power OF the Presi'
dent. rambling all the way back to
the days of the Roman republic in search Of
precedeDts to sustain his position. Among tho
facts set forth in this memorable speech was
one to the effect that the veto power had, pre-
viOus to that time, been exercised twenty-five
times only by all the different Presidents of the
Uni'ed States. The contrast presented by this
meagre record and that made by himself as
President will afford fruitful theme for con-
temptation after the 4th of March, Mr.. johnson
was continued in his seat until 1883, devoting
bis time 10 a faithful support of the Mexican
crusade, OF the Homestead bill, and OF the pro-
crusade, of the Homestead bill, and of the
prominent points in the Democratic policy.
As time passed, "fresh fields aud pastures
new" opened before Andrew johnson, and in
1853, and again in 1855, he was elected Gov
ornor of Tennessee, the first time over Gus
tavus A. Henry and in the last case over Mere-
dith p. Gentry. Both contests were exceed
ugly warm, and tor bo,h victories he had
hard fight.
In 1857 Andrew Johnson stepped from the
Governors chair to the United States Senate.
While a member of this body he remained
steadfast to the Union aud the iag opposing
the secession intrigues OF the oher Southern
Senator'S with all his stubbornness and zeal. In
return for this the indignant secessouists of
Memphis, on the 22d of December, 1860, con-
ferred upon him the high honor of a vicarious
martyrdom by burning him in efligy His
return to Tennessee in April, 1851, was also
marked by repeated insults aud threats OF per-
sonal violence, as he jourueyed home ward
through Virginia. AT place named Liberty,
it is said that one man pulled his loyal Senato-
rial nose as a reward for his devotion 10 the
Union. Yet throughout all the dark days of the
war he renamed steadfaSt, adhering to the
counsel which he addressed 10 Judah p. Benja~
min, when the latter refused to vote on the
Crittenden compromse;,-, Vote, and show
the Senate on the expulsion of Jesse ID,
Bright, the Indiana Senator who gave his
weak sympathy to the Rebel cause, was one of
the most earnest and eloquent appeals in behalf
of the Union that was ever pronounced In that
body. Nevertheless, mis- thorough devotion TO
the Union and the Constitution did not prevent
him from maniiesting, even as early as 1861 a
desire to tinker that sacred document. During
the session of that year he presented PROPOSE.
ton for amending the Constitution by doing
away with the Electoral College; changing the
tenure OF the Supreme Court Judges ftom life TO
term of years, with the requirement that one
half of them should always be appointed from
the slsVe.holdlng Stale:; and further making it
necessary that either the President or Vice.
President should always be taken from the same
section of the country.
But Senator johnson was not destined 10
serve out the full term for which he had been
elected. which would have expired on the 4th
OF March, 1868. The victories OF Grant at Forts
Henry and DonelsOn loosened the Rebel hold
upon the greater portion OF Tennessee, aud as
Governor Isham q. Harris had gone over TO the
enemy, with all the machinery OF the State gov
ernment it became necessary for the President
TO set up provisional establishment. Andrew
Johns on was selected by Mr.. Lincoln as the
igure-head of this institutions; and he was ap-
pointed brigadier general OF volunteers, being
confirmed rs such by the Senate on the 9th of
March, 1862. He at once repaired to Nashville,
and there established himself on the 18th of the
same month as military governor. so far forget.
full of the Constitution aud the laws as 10 hold
and administer an office which, as he has
repeatedly assured the country is unknown to
both With varying degrees OF fortune. known
TO all the world, Brigadier General Johnson
continued to reside in Nashville as military
governor until he lett thai city to assume his
duties as Wee President.
When the National Union Convention assem-
bled in Baltimore, in June, 1864. the grayest
question presented fJr Us consideration was
the selection of a candidate for Wee Presi-
dent. The loyal North had accepted the quaint
saying of Mr.. Lincoln, that lit is dangerous to
sWop horses while crossing a stream" and his
IenomInation, like the nomination OF General
Grant in 1868, was a mere formality. When
the vice Presidency was reached, an lnhuehtial
section ofthe party which had sustained the
war for the Union, having nearly onethrd oil
the Convention in its interest, was inclined to
adhere to the maxim by which the Presidential
question was decided Yet, while the great
services, sterling patriotism, and unquesnoped
ability of Vice President Hamln were con-
Ceded by all, side issue was joined on
the necC ssity OF conclliatpg the War Democracy.
1t was proposed to do this by placing a war
Democrat on the ticket with MIR. Lincoln
Daniel s. Dickinson, of New YORK, ana Andrew
Johnson were the chief Competitors Tor the
Johns on's Southern birth and his record during
the war decided the issue ia his favor The
first ballot stood as follows: For Andrew
johnson, 200; for Hannibal Hamln, 40;
MIN r. Butler, %; for Lowell Il. Rousseau,
81, and l9 votes scattered between Schuyler