Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-04-04
RICHMOND is ON
THE SEAS"
Bx-PreSident johnson
in the Field,
Special to the Union and American.

KNOXVILLE, April, 3, 1869 Knoxville
was crowded to-day to tender welcome to
Andrew johnson. The railroads had
enough special trains, and the people
were here in full force. The surround
ing counties sent full delegations. They
came spontaneously. If any one doubted
that the popularity OF Andrew Johnson
had declined ia East Tennessee, the
scene tO>day would have dispellcd it.
The special train with the ex Presidsnt
arrived from Greenville at IL NJ, and
as the distinguished visitor made his ap-
pearance, he was hailed with vociferous
cheers, and the cry, "Thats him. Hes
the same old Andy yet" A procession
was formed, and he was escorted to the
Lamar House, where crowd of five
thousand or more had assembled. The
Hon I. A. r. Nelson introduced Mr..
johnson to the audience. His illusions
to the exsPrcsident visiting again the
capita! city Of East Tennessee, and pre-
posing to speak to his felIow>citizens on
the great themes of the day, were happy
and eloquent in the highest degree. Dur.
ing his stay in this city, Mr. johnson
will be the guest Of Perez Dickinson,
Esq, and will leave for yoar city on
Monday
The ex-PresiIent addressedthe people
in speech over two hours in length,
during which he was interrupted with
frequent and hearty cheers, and often
with laughtCr at the sharp and telling
points which he made. lie enlisted the
profound attention of the audience
throughout, except when interrupted by
their manifestations.
The substance, even, of his speech
will not be attempted Proclaiming
himself private citizen now, he de-
clsred that the remainder of his life
should be devoted to the vindication
of his official career, and to the rescue OF
his native State, and Of his own name
from the reproach and obloquy with
which Tennesseeans had been accus-
toned to hear it mentioned in the laet
few years. In speaking of the scheme
of government under which the Ameri,
can people had lived and prospered, he
adverted to the encroachments of the
legislative department, and said that the
alarming extent to which it had reached
was one foreseen by the founders, anC
which, If not soon checked, would de
stroy it, He would with his latest breatl
rally his countrymen to the support OF
the constitution, even if he fell in th,
ssutterance. Upon this theme he enlarged
at considerable length.
His lOyaky, he said, had been as
sailed, and by whom He did not neet
to prove it In the time that tried men
souls, and when others weakened an,
needed support, lac had given it A Knox
vile audience might learn from this pa
per whose arm once upheld the faintins
loyalty of some among them. He reaC
a. follows
Received from Nashville, March "a
1862, of Andrew johnson, Military Gov
ernor of Tennessee, fifteen hundred dol
lars to and in the establishment of
Uniop pIess at Knoxville, and to deira.
my expenses while passing from unde
secession oppression to the city of Nash
vile. (Sigued) WM. g. BReWNLow
And he added, such as he now claiI
to be more loyal than am that | a
traitor Let who will dare to mai
the charge, meet me face to face. Be
Saxon or Saracen, will crush his casqu
Mr. johnson discussed at considerab
length the oubjectof the public debt al
the burden of taxes Under its crushiI
load, lac said, all men, white and blac
were now the slaves of the boBdholdel
The government credit had been abus
grossly. If it had no power to borrC
for war, we should have peace. II
debt, instead of being eztinguished
the hard earnings wiung from the pc
pie, was being increased by the expe
sive military establishments necessaI
for WHAT For Reconstruction? VIII
reconstruction did we need? 1t was re
toration that the country wauted-t
restoration of peace, founded on cot
rights under the laws. This granted, t
burden Of its support, be 1t great
small, would be oheerlully borne.
the achievement Of this his future
was to be devoted, and here, among
people Of the mountains, he commend
the crusade against the caprice, the FOL
and the despotism OF the leaders
Congress, and all high or low,
high who succumbed or the low
supported the system which yoked
peeks of the people. lie was, as
had always been, the advocate OF
liberties of the people
BE had been sneered at before