Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1870-05-11
ANDREW JOHNSON AT HOME.

wade the privacy of the home circle to graf
fy the curiosity of the public, but there has
been so much connected with the remark
able career of Mr. Johnson-who has been,
perhaps, more prominently before the
American people for the past twenty years
than any other man--that is calculated to
keep active the Interests Of the masses, that
we publish very willingly q few facts con-
nected with his retirement, which we
gather from a conversation with friend
and neighbor.
IL 1s, perhaps, no secret 10 most well-in-
formed persons that Mr.. Johnson, during
his long service in public life, succeeded in
saving fair share from his salaries. He is
now in very easy circumstances-and, in
fact, in his section, might well be called a
wealthy man. His business capacity seems
to be above the average of public men, for
in his investments and business relations
he manifests considerable shrewdness and
tact. Some time before his retirement from
the White House he purchased very de-
sirable farm of some three hundred and
fifty acres, on which is built very fine
Touring mill with splendid water power.
The farm lies adjacent to Henderson-now
called Home Station-some six miles east
Of Greenville, on the East Tennessee,
Virginia and Georgia Railroad-and is con-
sidered good upland farm. 1t has been
much improved by Mr.. Johnson, with the
aid Of fertilizers and a modern system of
farming. The care of this place is under
the more immediate supervision of ex-Sen-
ator David I. Patterson, Mr.. Johnson's
son-in-law, who lives on the farm.
The ex-President and lady live in the old
residence at Greenville, near the former
tailor-shop where, many years ago, the
good people of Greene county went to have
their homespun fitted and made to order.
The then plain village tailor had not yet
even aspired to the position of Alderman of
his village-the first round of the ladder
upon which he climbed TO the White
House. His old patrons and neighbors are
now his frequent visitors, and recount to
him.the little incidents and experiences of
their early lives. Andrew johnson has al
ways been a demagogue. His early politi-
cal life was eniinently successful, but he
was one of the greatest demagogues of
the State. His professed friendship
for the people led him to oppose,
with great zeal. the whole system of inter-
nal improvements, the policy of which
twenty years ago, was the fruitful source
of debate on the stump. But, notwith-
standing time proved the fallacy of his
theories he was always a strong man be-
fore the people. On all questions that
arose previous to the war--that might be
termed purely political-the prejudices of
the people were rather easily overcome.
But upon the questions growing out of the
war and more Immediately affecting the
existence of the government, the records of
our public men have been closely watched
and their motives strictly construed. The
demagoguery of Andrew johnson before
the war was readily forgiven and forgotten;
but his betrayal of the trusts confided to
him by his party, in the hour of our coun-
trys distress, will never be forgiven or for
gotten by the loyal people of East Tennes-
see. Mr.. Johnson, in retiring to his old
home, finds many familiar faces to well
come his return, and so long as he il
content with the privacy to which they
have consigned him, their intercourse will
be friendly enough, but if he has any
aspirations for Congress, as has been init
mated by his friends, he will find the peo-
pie of his Congressional district have not
forgotten his course during the past five
years, made by reason of his position, part Of
the history of the country. We do not be-
lieve Mr.. Johnson will poll the strength Of
his party in such a contest. We know he
could not be elected.
The ex-President has recently purchased
the large brick block known in Greene
Vile as the Lowery Block. The purchase
was made for cash, at very low terms
probably not more than half of its rea
value. 1t is generally believed in Greene
vile that he will soon establish bank
He has the means, and has been frequently
urged to do so for the convenience of tn,
business men of that and adjoining towns
As it il now, they have no bank nearer
than Knoxville, and they find it now al
most impossible TO do longer without one
The ex-President spends most of his tim,
in study. He writes a great deal and it i.
generally supposed that he contemplate
soon publishing a book which shall be
defence of "my policy - and his adminis