Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1870-05-28
ANDREW JOHNSON.
Incidents I'm the Life Of the Ex-Pres.
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The following is an extract from an
article In the May number of the XIX
Century from the pen of Gov. Perry,
of South Carolina:
President Johnson came to Laurens
@. H., South Carolina, in 1927, and re-
mained there two years, working as
a journeyman tailor. He came from
North Carolina, where he was born,
and served his apprenticeship
Whilst working at taurens he be-
came engaged to young lady In the
neighborhood, and went out one Sun
day morning to ask her mother, who
was a lady, for the hand of her
daughter. He told Gov. Orr that he
saw by the old lady's manner that
she was not favorably disposed to-
wards him. 1t was late.in the even
ing before he could muster up courage
to "pop the question:" When he
did SO, the old lady told him very
plainly that her daughter should not
marry tailor, and intimated
that she suspected he wanted some Of
her negroes. The young tailor boy
and future President of the United
States, was so much mortified at the
rebuff he had received, that he deter
mined to quit Laurens, and did SO the
next day. ~
How unfortunate for the daughter
was the Ill judgment of the mother.
Had she given her consent, her
daughter might have been the occu-
pant of the White House, mistress of
ceremonies and fashion in Washing
ton, receiving and entertaining for
eign ministers and their ladies, in
stead of being as she is, the humble
wife of poor and obscure man. On
the other hand, it might have disap-
pointed the high destiny Of the tailor
boy. Instead of being President of
the United States, he might be still
pursuing his humble vocation. But
this Is not very likely. A man with
President Johnson's natural endow-
ments, intellectually and morally,
could hardly pass through life In this
American republic, without elevating
himself and acquiring honor and dis
tinction.
1t is a remarkable and most Won
derful fact, that President johnson
never went to school a day in his
life! His father, who was a most
worthy and excellent man, filling
the Office of town constable In Re
leigh, North Carolina, messenger OF
the bank and sexton of church,
died when his son was only two
years old. The family were left IN
poverty, and at the age of ten years,
Andrew was bound as an apprentice
to the trade of q tailor. Whilst
working as an apprentice, some one
came into the shop with book OF
speeches, and reatlit to the boys. This
book delighted Andrew so much
that he determined to learn to read
himselfs The book was given to him,
and in this book, with the assistance
OF his fellow apprentices, he learned
his letters and learned to read; and
after that, book Ofsome sort was ever
his constant companion. His wife
taught him to write and cypher after
they married. In the meantime he
must have had his mind well stored
with a great deal OF useful reading.
1t has been said and widely circula.
ted that President johnson was in.
temperate. There never was, per.
haps, less foundation for such calum-
ny. He has always been most tenn
perate man throughout his whole
life. This will be testified to by all
who knew him intimately, whether
friends or foes. Messrs. Burt, Ashe-
more and other members of Con.
gress, who served with him for many
years, assure me that no such thing
was ever suspected whilst he was in
Congress. Col. Williams, of Green
vile, Tennessee, who has known
President johnson all his life, and
resided with him in the same village,
and between whom there is a bitter
feuid, told me not long since that no
one ever saw johnson drunk, or sus-
pected him of drinking to excess. In
all my visits TO the President, in the
day time and at night, am sure he
was never under the influence OF
spirits or wine, in the slightest degree.
When inaugurated as Vice President,
he was in feeble health, and just be-
fore making his speech, he was adj
viscd to take n glass of brandy. Not
being accustomed to the use of spirit
uous liquors, 1t did effect him, and
the effect was noticed. This first gave
rise to slander.