Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-05-15
FANDREW JOHNSON.
EnCid ents ia the Life of the EX-
President.

Incidents ia the Life of the Ex-
President.
The following is an extract from an ar
ticle in the May number of the XIX
Century from the pen of Gov. Perry, of
South Carolina:
President johnson came to Laurens G..
H., South Carolina, in 1927, and remained
there two years, working as a journey
man tailor. He came from North Caro-
lima, where he was born, and served his
apprenticeship. Whilst working at Lau-
rens he became engaged to a young lady
in the neighborhood, and went out one
Sunday morning to ask her mother, who
was widow lady, for the hand of her
daughter. He told Gov. On that he saw
by the old lady's manner that she was not
favorably disposed towards him. 1t was
late in the evening 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 a tailor, and intimated that she
suspected he wanted some of her negroes.
The young tailor boy and future Presi-
dent of the United States, was SO much
mortified at the rebuff he had received,
that he determined to quit Laurens, and
did so the next day.
How unfortunate for the daughter was
the i'll judgment of the mother. Had
she given her consent, her daughter
might have been the occupant of the
White House, mistress of ceremonies and
fashion in Washington, receiving and en-
tertaining foreign ministers and their la
dies, instead of being as she is, the hum
bic wife of poor and obscure man. On
the other hand, it might have disappoint-
cd the high destiny of the tailor boy. In
stead of being President of the United
States, ne might be still pursuing his
humble vocation. But this is no very
likely. A man with President J"Lnson's
natural endowments, intellectually and
morally, could hardly pass through life
in this American republic, without eleva-
ting himself and acquiring honor and dis
tinction.
1t is q remarkable and most won derful
fact, that President Johnson never went
to school day in his life! His father,
who was most worthy and excellent
man, filing the Office of town constable
in Raleigh, 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 tailor.
Whilst working as an apprentice, some
one came into the shop with book of
speeches, and read one to the boys. This
speech delighted Andrew johnson so
much that he determined to learn to read
himself. The book was given to him,
and in this book, with the assistance of
his fellow apprentices, he learned his let
tiers and learned to read; and after that,
a book of some 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.
X > ! \
1t has been said and widely circulated
that President Johnson was Incorporate
There never was, perhaps, less founda-
ton for such a calumny. He has always
been d most temperate man throughout
his whole life. This will be testified 10
by all who knew him intimately, whether
friends or foes. Messrs. Burt, AshemOre
and other members of Congress, who
served with him for many years, assure
me that no such thing was ever suspected
whilst he was in Congress. Col. WI
liams, of Greencville, Tennessee, who has
known President johnson all his life, and
resided with him in the same village, and
between whom there is bitter feud, told
me not long since that no one ever saw
| johnson drunk, or suspected him OF
drinking to excess. In all my visits to
the Presiden,, in the day time and al
night, l am sure he was never under the
influence of spirits or wine, in the slight
est degree. When ineugurated as Vice
President, he was in feeble health, and
just before making his speech, he was adj
vised to take glass of brandy. Not be.
ing accustomed to the use of spirituous
liquors, it did effect him, and the effect
was noticed. This first gave rise TO Sian.
der.