The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1869-07-09
Ex-President johnson on Presi-
dent Grant.


been interviewing" ex-President john
son again-with the following result:
respondent-Well, Mr.. Johnson,
what do they think of this administra-
ton down in Tennessee?
Andy Johnson--I don't know that
YOU ought to ask mo such question.
People would be very likely to attribute
an unlnvorable opinion from me as
prompted by improper motives. You
know very well, sir, for you were ia
mliar with my views while | was Pres
ident, what my esteem of Grant was,
and | don't know of anything that has
occurred that has caused me to change
my mind the slightest. / know Grant
thoroughly. had an ample opportu-
nitv to study him when | was Prcsi-
dent, and / am convinced he is the
greatest farce ever thrust upon people.
WHY. the little fcllow-eXcuse me for
using the expression, but | can't help
pitving him-the little fellow has moth
Ing in him. He hasn't a single idea.-
He has no policy. no conception of what
the country requires. He don't under
stand the philosophy of Il single great
question. and is completely lost in try
ing to understand his situation. He is
mcndacious. cunning and trcacherous.
lie lied to me tlagrantly, by God, and |
convicted him by my whole Cabinet;
but that even would have been tolcra-
Bile were it the only instance, but it was
not He lied on many other occasions.
II tell You, sir. Grant is nothing more
thanH bundle of petty spitcs, jealous
les. and rcsentmentS. And yet they say
Grant is Il second Washington. Only
think of it. when you compare him
with Washington or Jefferson, where
is he? Why, he is so small you must
put your finger on him. He, a little up
start. coward. physically and intellect
ually. TO be compared to George Wash
ington. Why, it makes me laugh.
have more pity for the man than con-
tempt, for have no spite against bin.
But fear for the country when such a
man is likencd to the father Of his coun-
try. Why, just look at the inaugural of
Washington. He speaks about his fear
and trembling in accepting the Presi-
dency. even after all his experience and
success. But this little fellow, Grant,
an upstart, mere accident of the
war, creature without the ability
to comprehend the philosophy of sim
gle great question, says in his inaugu-
raj II know the responsibility is great.
but accept it without fear" Is that
like Washington or Jefferson? Pshaw
it's monstrous to think OF. Grant, tell
you, sir. has no ideas, no policy. Why,
Washington considered that mans
greatness was measured by his morali-
ty. by the standard Of his soul. And l
have always considered that the more
soul a man had, the more developed the
soul or intellect within him, the more
God-like he became. But, sir, Grant has
nothing. Physically and mentally and
and morally he is a nonentity. Why,
sir, his soul is so small that you could
put it within the periphery of hazel
nut shell, and it might float about for a
thousand years without striking the
walls of the shell. That's the size of
his soul. Just look at the man sitting at
a 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 improvements
or moral ideas upon the nation? lie
has no object to look forward to, no
leading aim to draw the people toward
any, particular end. lie sits there with
his Cabinet. One member has bought
him house in Philadelphia, another
has given him $780, 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 generalship. Well
he was a mere incident of the war
Men and arms were supplied in abun-
dance, and his forces were so massive
that they simply crushed out the rebel
lion. 1t would have been done had
Grant never been born. Therefore he
was mere incident. But the little fcl
low has come to think he is somebody
really. l can't help plying him wher
] think how well know him, and wha
an lnfinitessimal creature he really is.
often think that about the fittest place
for Grant is at some place where there
are crossroads. l have been at those
places, and have often noticed the
scenes. AT one corner, perhaps, there
is a small blacksmith-shop. AT another
corner of the crossroads there is gro.
Gerry store, and at another house where
the Squire meets to settle cases. Well
| have often noticed at such a junction
of several roads that when the Squire's
business is over some fellows will pro-
pose horse-race, and, TO give interest
to the thing, barrel Of cider and per.
haps half gallon of whiskey will be
staked on the result. Now, Grant is
Just suited to such situation. His
ideas are of the crossroads order, and
he has not thought above that. He
has no political creed at all. l would
rather have good hereto than man
without any faith. Iwould place more
dependence in such man. AS l said
before, he is q mere incident. There
has been great social upheaval, and
Grant is left on the top, and thinks there
is something in him. 1t is precisely like
a volcanic disturbance. The natural
condition of the earth is broken up,
strata after strata is broken through
things are displaced and turned upside
down, and what should be at the bot.
tom is thrown high up. That is just
Grants case.
DnfIyAnI nnsInnf