Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-10-28
Fx.PRESIDBNT JOHNSON.
The Constitution and the Currency

In \ AAANeSAD
The Constitution and the Currency.
Serenade and Speech-Mr. johnson
Gives a sketch OF His Life-Remt-
niscenees Of Thirty Years AgO-His
First Visit go Washington" What
Sort Of a Governments Have we
Now ?''-Azr. JOhnsOn's Views ON the
Currency Question.
From the Washington Republican, Oct. a.
The serenade rendered to ex-President
Andrew johnson last week, shortly after
his arrival in the city, came off last night
at the Metropolitan Hotel. By eight
O'Clock the entire Sidewalk was tbroBged
with people, and the crowd extended far
out into the street, reaching nearly to the
railroad track. The windows of the hotel
q, frontiDgon the avenue we're nearly all filed,
many being occupied by ladies', who re-
NAMED during the speaking and appeared
to take special interest in what was trans
piring. The balcony in the front of the
hotel was covered with q couple Of flags,
tastefully festooned, while above, suspended
In the form of an arch, hung p row of Chi
nese lanterns of variegsted col0rs. To the
rear was placed numerous CHAIRS TO accom-
modste the many friends Of the speaker
who were expected 70 be in asteadapcs.
II is almost needless TO say that
they were all occupied, for while
the crowd was assembling In the street,
those allowed the privilege of tie inner
circle assembled the stairs ard entered Mfr.
Johnson's parlor or proceeded to the bal
cony. Among those present was noticed
Judge Moore, Senator Fowler, Judge
Phillips, DR.. 7. g. Clayton, S. j. Castle
man, Chas. Petit, Lawyer Oulver, n. D..
Larner, Mr.. Rayliss, Louis Sehade, JOS
4 Brown, W. Rohrer, l.. Q. Washington,
Harry M. Watterson, j. G. KFetc1mzr. Gen.
Sol Hinkle, Samuel E. Pugh, Aug. Perry,
w. J. Walker, Jos. Mattingly, w. S. Davis,
John Wheeler, Col. Savers, VIM. Dickson,
Chas. Allen, Columbus Alexander, Z. W..
Ryther and number Of Others whose
names could not be obtained. at 7:i0
o'clock Doneh's band, stationed on The
curb, commenced playing, and IL was not
until the third piece ("Hhen You'll Remem-
Der Mer) was rendered that the ex-Presi-
dent appeared on the balcony, closely fol-
lowed BY his friends. Mr.. johnson was
introduced by Judge Moore, when be spoke
Is follows:
GENTLEMEN: If things were now IS they
were few years ago it would not be nee
essary 10 have an introduction to an au-
dience in the city of Washington. While
this is not SO; thank my friend VINO has
introduced me upon this occasion. Some
thirty years Sgo made my first appearance
In the city of Washington IS member OF
Congress Of the United States, served
In that capacity for some ten consecutive
years under the immediate observation aud
ipspection of those who Inhabited the dis
trict at that time. A. the expiration of
that period 1 occupied different position
for few years and then returned to the
Senate Of the United States. After serving
in the Senate for a short time, some three
years, 1t was deemed expedient and proper
bY the Government to assign me another
position, which / accepted and gave up my
position in the Senate OF the United States,
where there was no danger, but where
there was emolument, accepting place
where there was danger and buthttle emol-
ument. After that expired then returned
10 the city of Washington and occupied TIE
position as President of the United States.
Deeming it not necessary to go through all
The details by which reached that position,
suffice I, to say was there as President
g of the United States under your immedia e
observation.
When go back to my first appearance in
this city in the cSDaciLy of public man
and trace It down to the termination of my
administration among you, and knowing
and feeling that there is large number
here who were conversant with my frs
entrance into public life, or, in other words
into national politics, and its continuation
up to its termination, and when | have not
come across some of those who were fsmi
lar with it, have even come across some o.
their sons and daughters who were familiar
with it as it was banded down to them by
their parents.
This prelude or Introduction in parenthe
sis-may seem singular, but / make It fol
the purpose OF expressing the emotions and
sincere feelings of besrt that never ye
beat false to q friend or to bis country
[Applsuss.l
have merely alluded to this to direct
your attention to my acquaintance, and my
connection, and my familiarity with
THE PEOPLE OF THE DISTRICT OF co
LUMBIA i
and their children. / have mixed will
them and have been With them in almost
every position. Ihave been subject TO IN il
scrutiny and their observation Ny child
rem have lived here with you-ny grand
children have lived here with you-auI
you have observed their conduct and mine
both in private and public life. You hav'
observed and witnessed the trying enc!
through which / have passed while L wal
here II your midst, and WREN the politica
elements were lowering and everything il
contention--when | was arra'gned aL(
charges preferred in the midst of this pee
ple-they stood by sill and witnessed 81
While these scenes were transpiring-
while the elements of political warfare
were waged almost TO an extremity tina
was unprecedented in history-you who
were witnesses ard inspectors Of all tha
transplred, many OF yen stand here to
night, and others to whom the fac.s havt
been frar shifted, either orally q
through the public press Of the country
when / refer TO this, and take Il up step by
step, and know that you were the inspec
tors and sccutinizers, lrepest again, OF m!
conduct in your midst, while occupying OF
fetal position, when, sster all that has Iran
spired, midst the cslUmny and mendacious
ness Of unprineipled assailants-of all TIA
has transplred; when come back here