The New York herald., 1874-09-26
ANDREW JOHNSON'S IDEAS.
The Proposed National Convention-Re-
suits OF the Reconsideration Policy
What Is Now Required.

The Proposed National Convention-Re-
suits OF the Reconsideration Policy
What Is Now Required.
GALLATIN, Tenn, Sept. 1s, 1874.
arrived at this place at early hour this
morning with q view OF interviewing the only
living ex-Pres!dent on the subject OF the situation
throughout the South. l found the venerable
statesman at the Sndle House, and upon being
ushered into his presence was greeted with tho
exclamation, 'Why, what brings you here Y''
4 81 came" l said, "to interview you upon q
subject much discussed in the NEW YORK HERALD
and in which the people Of the whole nation are
most vitality interested. / suppose the leading
editorials in the HERALD suggesting the propriety
OF calling natienal peace convention have NOS
escaped your eye? ?"
Mr.. JoHNsON-I take the HERALD and read il
regularly when l am at home. l have only read
the editorials OF the 7th, sth and 9th inst.
CORREsPONDENT-What is your opinion of them.
Mr.. JOHNsoN-They are excellent, s,r-wen di-
gested editorials and worthy OF commentator.
highly approve Of their tone, spirit and sugges-
tions. Things are all out OF joint; screws are
loose and badly in need OF adjustment. The
HERALD points out the way that this may oe done.
CoRREspONpENr-Are you in favor OF convening
all the States in convention as being the best
means Of adjusting differences
Mr. JoHNsoN-l am. Ii will be the best means
OF adjusting the difficulties between them. 1t
vii, bring about national harmony and good feel
ing between the people Of the United states. In a
convention of this kind all interests could be con-
sldersd and the wrongs and grievances Of the diff
fcrent sections heard. know of no better move-
ment by which general satisfaction could be given
to all the people.
CORRESPONDENT What about the reconstruction
policies IN general:
r raI I Trtn,p p1v
fer you to the reconstruction policy, adopted in
1866. 1t grew substantially from the ideas Mr.
Lincoln had entertained and which were consum-
mated, as set forth in my Message submitted to
Congress IN December, 1865, showing that all the
States had been reconstructed Legislatures
stored, Governors elected, and all the laws OF the
United states extended to and in full operation In
all the states. All mad been done tnat could be
done by the Executive when the Message was sub
mltted. Inc reconstructed States had elected
their Representatives and senator's, who were In
readiness TO present themselves qualify as the
two houses are maze the sole Judges OF the cleo
ton and qualification of their members. Congress
appointed It's committee Of Thirteen, aud then
commenced the work OF
PULLING THE STATES TO PIECES.
Then followed the Reconstruction" which re-
suited so dlSaStrously to the whole nation, and
now seems TO demand the remedy suggested by
the HERALD OF convenIng all the states IN general
council Tor making such amendments and altera-
tions as the necessity oi the country seems TO re-
quire.
CoRREsPoNpENr--wha amendments or al,era-
tiOns would you have made in the constitution Tor
the good OF the country
Mr.. JoHNsoN-Ihere are various amendments
that should be made TO the constitution which |
believe would be an Improvement upon our sys-
TEN, and would make the government OF the
United states conform more to the popular Will
than 1t now does.
CoRREsPoNDENr-would you limit the occupancy
OF the Presidential caatr to one term :
Mr.. J0HNSON-l would suggest the election OF "A
fTesIucub IOT one term Quy, ana MS election
directly by the people. would also suggest the
instead OF by the Legislatures This would remove
n great deal OF the corruption that Is now prac-
tlsed by intriguing politicians ana Interested per-
sons In securing these elections before the Legis-
latures.
CoEREsroNDENr-wouId you make any changes
in the system or the federal Court ?
Mr.. JoHNsoN-I would change the tenure OF Office
OF the federal Court to eighteen years, divide
the members into classes as in the United states
Senate, the terms of one class to expire every six
teen years, until the system is finally put in COM
CoRREsPoNpENT-What would you do In regard
to two-thrds Congress
Mr.. JoHSsoN-i think two-thirds Congress,
not under constitutional restrictions is the most
dangerous and tyrannicai department of the gov
ernnent There should be some corrective in the
eXe,e.se @ o. h, ITS ~, srpprary power For instance
upon constitutional grounds instead OF being
passed, or rather repassed by a majority OF two
originated to che supreme Conrt OF the United
States Tor their decision, and II they decided that
Tue EAccutVe was rlEnb In MS veto the OIL
should be no law; II the House should be found to
be correct why, as matter OF course the bill
should become q law.
CoRnEspoNDENr-Wh would ron DO to prevent
the Capitalization OF powerY
Mr. JonNsoN-I woud make such restrictions as
would have tendency to check the centraliZa-
tiOn OF power at the federal mead
CORRESPONDENCE desire your opinion re egarding
the recent ortrages in this STATE.
Mr.. JOHNSON VERY emphattcaDy)-- am decided
In my opinion as 90 the duty Of tine States In ex-
ercisiDa 4their iunctlons IN suDpressina riot and