Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-03-21
NATIONAL AFFAIRS.
what Ex.PresideDt Andrew john
son Thinks OF tile Situation.


A correspondent of the Louisville
CourierJ ournal called on Andrew John
son the other day We quote as follows
from his account Of the interview;
"The sooner we get back on the Con-
stitution the better, urged Mr.. johnson.
"the better for the country. Why should
we not all-all the enemies Of radical
ism-go to work at once and unite on a
sound political basis2 Why should we
be less concerned in this regard than
were the fathers2 We must save our
selves before it is too late"
He thinks the Republic is going to
the devil at railroad speed" His judy
ment OF President Grant and his policy
was doubtless formed after mature de-
liberation, and he delivered it, appa-
rently, rather in sorrow than in anger,
for am willing to believe his assurance
that there was no malice in 1t.
Grant is little fellow" added Mr..
johnson, with a pleasant twinkle Of the
eve. against whom no one could har-
Dor malice He is especially small
man-small of stature, OF brain, OF NOR
ais. | doubt il be ever read the Constr
tuition of the United States in his life;
be has certainly never read the com
mentators thereon. His idea Of gov
eminent is purely personal, and Of a
low order at that; it was conceived IN
the field and modelled upon army rules
and regulations. He says to his cour-
tiers, do this or do that, and they obey;
beyond this character Of government
be knows nothing"
but you viii agree that Grant is a
great captain.
Not a bit of it would he. His opinion
of Grants generalship is only equaled in
contempt by that Of his statesmanship.
de had the men, Mr. johnson continued,
and followed the army. not as its leader,
but as an incident What Eight did be
ever win? Ask Of Belmont, Shiloh,
Yicksburg. He took the latter place after
expendipg millions Of dollars and thou
sasds Of lives, bOguiHg about in the
sEamps and burrowiDg like a crawfsb.
he finally stumbled out the right plan,
because there ves nothing else left TO be
done. Good luck seldom deserted him /;
he IS a creature Of luck from first TO
last. He happened in always 10 reap
the honors that others merited. II Ne
Clellan had been left alone, the war
would have ended two years before it
did. he has not even the poor merit Of
personal courage. Where did he ever
expose his person7 Where display any
strategy. II was simply question Of
brute force with bin. A pendulum Of
ten pounds weight will drive one Of Eve
Il was carried through by great armies.
he marched against . foe greatly infe-
nor IN numbers, invading country es-
peeially yuinerable-of scantresOaraes--
bl0ckaded. cut Of from both the sympa-
thy and assistance Of Europe.
DO you really believe he would de-
clare himself dictator, Il the oppOrtu
nifty should ofer7"
| haven't the least doubt Of il.
don't suppose be knows il by that
name, but the idea "a the same. lie
loves power both for iis osn sake and
for the recompense il brings. His ava
rice is boundless. He cares nothing
what becomes Of the people, 20 be graft
hes his own ambition and love of lucre.
With CAESARS or Napoieon's ambition he
lacks their greatness Of soul. See the
former ut the battle Of Pharsalia. aud
Napoleon al Lodi, where fheg rush 70
ibe front and encourages their soldiers
with short, sharp, pithy phrases that
have passed into history Ny adiuiant.
I ] propose 70 move on your works a.
once. ! shall eight j oct On this line
| u it takes al SUMMER Bat be *.
eEeellency simply remarked Raslina
and vent on. Grant could not possibly
be great captain, nor q great anyihing
else. There is TOO little 0f him. A great
statesman-never. He looks up0n the
government az q mere machine % Be
re in biz personal Interest. upon iis
. pairoasEa a. fomethiug 10 b. dispensed
10 bis fneuis 80 family in reidru f0r
tersices rendered il s1itsg down he
rebellion"