The New York herald., 1873-09-16
Ex-President Johnson's Views
on the Question of the Day.
The Dangers That Threaten
the Republic.
A SEVERE REVIEW OF THE SITUATION.
Lessons from the Past and PrOgnOstica-
tiOnS Of the Future.
GRANTS AMBITION EXPLAINED

GREBNvILLE Tenn, Sept. IL, 1873.
A few days ago your correspondent called upon
ex-President Johnson, at his once, and fortunately
found him not too much engaged to grant the in
tervew desired. Mr.. Johnson's office is an unpre-
tending brick building, one story high and about
1sx24 feet In dimensions 1t Is plainly furnished,
containing a small walnut table, on which the ex-
President does the most OF his writing, large
painted desk, three unpainted splint-bottom
chairs, O small 'Indexn stove and large square
spittoon filled with sawdust. His library num-
bers between 200 and 1900 volumes, and Is ar-
ranged on plain pine shelves. reaching from floor
to ceiling. On the walls are steel engravingB OF
President Lincoln and hlrnself with picture Of q
cross In q rustic frame, which complete It's adorn-
ment, the noor not being carpeted. Here ue sits
and muses. on the events OF an exciting life, and
compOses those wonderful speeches which always
draw crowds and rarely fail to electriiy his hear
ers.
On entering Mr.. Johnson was seated, writing, at
a little table ON which lay an open volume con-
tanning Pittmans account Of the trial and execu-
ton OF the consprators engaged In the plot which
terminated in the assassination OF President Lin
coin. The book was marked in several places with
slips OF paper, and he had evidently been refresh
ing his memory by re-perusal OF Its contents.
After kindly greeting and exchanging the Gus
tomary sautations. knowing his bluntness, your
correspondent plunged in medals res by asking the
leading question, upon the affirmative answer OF
which depended altogether the success of the inter-
view.
THE GREAT COMMONER's VIEWS.
REPoRTER-You are aware sir, of the discussion
that has been carried on for several weeks past in
the newspapers on CRsarism. have been spe-
ciay commissioned TO ascertain II you would be
willing to give me your views on the subject Tor
publication in the NEW YORK HERAIDa
After courteous allusion to the proprietor Of
the HERALD, with whom he was personally &C
quainted and expressing his admiration of the
present conduct OF the paper, Mr.. Johnson re-
plied:-
eyes. sir; I have seen several OF the articles to
which you refer, and while fail to see that any
thing is to be gained by the agitation OF the matter.
yet my views are Of long standing, and having been
heretofore expressed though not with direct refer
ence to the name 1t now bears-C@sarism-by
which Is understood third term, have no objec.
ton to their publication.
REPORTER-In that case, Mr.. johnson, may ask
ifyou would favor third term for the Presidency
Mr.. JOHNsON-No, sir. l do not; and il there is
not an improvement In those who occupy che
Presidential chair,
ONE TERM IS TOO LONG.
REPoRTER-Perhaps did not make myself suf-
flciently clear. What II wished to ascertain was
What, In your opinion, would be the effect upon
the country OF General Grants election for another
and third termf
Mr.. JOHNsON-That is question involving more
the exercise OF prophecy or surmise than any
probable result to come to pass Of which one has
actual knowledge; and, however accurately one
might foretell the future, yet If the danger was
seen to be too imminent by the people, or If, to
use metaphor OF Napoleon l., "the pear was not
yet ripe,n those contemplating o further lease OF
power could and would foreg0 their intention for
the time, and the just reasoning of the patriot and
statesman be considered as the utterances Of O
false prophet. The tendency OF AFFAIRS is certainly
toward a third term, II not to a monarchy, the
consummation of the latter being the cherished
idea OF respectable number OF
THE ULTRA RADICALS AND REBELS
OF the country, who in the present tendency sec
nearer approach to the success OF their wish than
while the Southern Confederacy was in existence.
REPoKTER-Do you not think that President
Grant has sufficient patriotism to decline third
candidacy II he believed the true interests OF the
country would suffer therebyf
BAD OPINION OF THE PRESIDENT.
Mr.. JOHNsoN--What, Grant2 Not he. Why the
little fellow is but puppet in the hands Of his ad-
visers, who by appeals to his vanity ana cupldity
influence him to carry out their aims He Is already
an aspirant Tor the position for four years more,
but withal has sufficient shrewdness to abandon
tralization of power, which his canvass would
involve il by SO doing he could gain popularity and
blind the eyes OF the people to his true aims. His
instincts are entirely selfish aud he is governed by
policy, not patriotism.
REPoRTER-what are the indications OF danger
threatening the republic as comprehended IN the
term Casarism
Mr. JOHNsoN-As history informs us, the down.
fall OF liberty in Rome commenced by gradual en-
croachments on the rights OF the people by privi-
legged few, privileged by sutferance: for had their
first assumptions been checked the evil would
have been nipped In the bud the RubicOn would
never have been passed by Cesar, and the MIS-
tress OF the known world would have been spared
the long years OF bloody civil wars she endured.
THE DANGER THREATENING OUR INSTITUTIONS
was seen as early as 1929 by President Jackson
who, in order to preserve the purity of the chief
offlce Of the government recommended the one
term principle. A great deal has been said in ref
erence to the first term OF Office being consumed
in manp0ans lSr seconS term; ana ad .nas
for partisan and corrupt purposes. This Is
one argument for confining the Presidency to
one term, and Is good 40 far as ir goes. But this
does not remove all the objections or abuses that
grow out OF the election OF President not only
President for one term. but would 20 further and
elect him directly by the people, and also members
OF the Senate, in the same manner that Represen
tatIves in Congress are elected. This would dis
pense with the Intervening machinery OF the Elec-
toral College, as well as Congressional caucuses
and national conventions, which is temptation
to intriguing politicians and designing ofice-seek-
ers to make arrangements for the loaves and fishes
to be divided among themselves and their special
friends In my judgment the time has arrived
when these conventions, botn State and ma
tonal, should be dispensed with, and l SO
last summer. The election by the people
is simple and entirely practicable The States can
be laid OF In electoral Districts equal In number
20 the Senators and Representatives In Congress,
which Is the basis OF the Electoral College. The
electors In each electoral district could vote
directly for President and vice President, and the
candidate receiving majority OF oil the votes cast
In all the electoral districts OF the United States
should be declared elected. This would be bring
ing the government closer TO and more directly
under the control Of the people. In message to
Congress OF date OF July 1865, expressed my views
on this subject and gave in support OF them the
following sentence from the messags OF President
Jackson, as above MENTIONED OF 1929, thrty-nine
years ago.
QUOTATION FROM JACKSON.
'T would, therefore, recommend such an amend
ment OF the constitution rs may remove all inter-
mediate agency In the election OF President and
Vice President The mode may be so regulated as
TO preserve TO each State It's present relative
weight in the election, and failure IN the 1rst
attempt may be provided for by combining the
second TO a choice between the two highest candi-
dates In connection with such an amendment 1t
would seem advisable to limit the service OF the
~, Mari a In farr of al f0rr