Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-09-30
ANDY JOHNSON.
Report OF an Interview with the Ex-
resident-What he Thinks of The
Proposed National Convention.
Results Of the Infamous Radical Recon-
structi0n P0licy-AmeBdments 10
the Constitution
From the New York Herald. Of saturday,

From the New York Herald, Of Saturday.
GALLATIN, Tenn, September 81
| arrived at this place at an early hour this
/ morning with "a view OF Intervening the
/ only living eX-President ON the subject OF the
| situation throughout the sOuth. Ionnu the
! venerable statesman at th5 SlnGle house, ana
| upon being ushered into his presence, was
| greeted with the exclamation, "Wny, what
al Came said, "to interview you upon a
subject much discussed in the New York
! He aid and in which the people OF the whole
/ nation are most y1tally interested. suppose
the leading editorials in the he dtd suggesting
the pTopriety of calling national peace con-
VentiOn have not escaped your eye"
Mr.. Johnson-I take the Herald ana read 1t
regularly when l am at home. L nave only
read the editorials Of the seventh, eighth and
Correspondent-Wha is your opinion Of
them?
digested editorials and worthy of commenda-
ton. / highly approve Of their tone, spirit
and suggestions. Things are all out of joint;
screws are loose and bauly in need OF adjust
ment. The Herald points Out the way that
this may be done.
Correspondent-Are yen in favor OF conven-
ing all the States in convention as being the
pest means of adjusting differences?
Mr.. Johnson am. IL VIII be the means OF
adjusting the difficulties between them. 1t
syill bring about national harmony and good
feeling between the people of the United
states. In a convention Of this kind all inter-
ests could be considered and the wrongs and
g.aeNaDEeh OF Llt llutlbuA heEAANllS utdAA-
know of no better movement by which gem
eral satisfaction conld be given 70 all the peo-
pie.
ton policies ia general?
Mr.. Johnson-1n general, simply desire to
refer you 10 the reconstruction policy, as
adopted in 1850. Ii grew substantially from
the ideEs Mr.. Lincoln mad entertained, ana
which We're cOnsummated, as set forth in my
message, submitted TO congress IN December,
1860, showing that all the States had been re-
FTlgfgll. legislatures restored. governors
elected, and all the laws Of the
United States extended 10 and in full opera
ton in all the states. All had been done
that could be done by the executive when the
message was submitted. The reconstructed
States had elected their representatives and
senators, who were IN readiness 70 present
themselves and qualify as the constitution re-
quired, Under the constitution the two
houses are made the sole judges OF the cleo
ton ana qualification OF their members.
Congress appointed its committee Of thirteen,
and then commenced the work Of pulling the
States to pieces. Then followed the recon
structiOn, which resulted 50 disaAtrOusly 10
the whole nation, and now seems 10 demand
the remedy suggested BY the Herald, OF con-
vening all the states in general council for
making such amendments and alterations as
the necessity OF the country seems 20 require.
Correspondent-W hat amendments or alter
ations would you have made in the constttu-
Uon for the good OF the country?
Mr.. JOhnsOn-Chere are various amend |
ments that should be made 10 the cOnstItu-
ton which 1 believe would be an improve
menU upon our SYSTEM and would make the |
government Of the United states conform |
more 10 the popular viii than il now does.
COrrespOndent-WOui you limit the OCcu- |
pancy OF the Presidential chair TO one term@
Ar. Johnson would suggest the election |
OF a President for one term only, and his cleo |
ton directly by the people. wOnld also sug- |
gest the election Of United States senators by |
the people instead of by tne legislatures. This !
would remove great zeal OF The corruption /
that is now practsed by intriguing pOliti- |
clans and interested persons IN securing these |
elections before the legislalures,
Correspondent-Would you make any |
changes III The system of the federal court?
Mr.. Johnson-I would change the tenure of /
office Of the federal court 10 eighteen years,
divide the members into classes as in the /
United states senate, the terms OF one class to
expire every sixteen years, until the system is L
finally put IN complete operation.
CoTrespondent-What would you do in re-
gard TO a two-thiTds congress?
Mr.. JohnsOn-l think tWo-thirds congress,
not under constitutional restrictions, Is the i
most dangerous and tyrannical department OF /
the government. There should be some cor
rective in the exercise Of its arbitrary power. L
For instance, bill vetoed by the President /
OF the United States, upon constitutional |
grounds, instead of being passed, or rather re-
passed by a majority Of twO-thirds, should be 1
referred by the body IN which IL toTiginated TO |
the supreme court of the United states for |
their decision and II they decided that the /
Executive was right in his veto the bill should /
be no law; If the house should be found 10 he /
correct, why, as a matter of course, the bill /
should become a law.
Correspondent-What would you do to pre-
vent the CONTEMPLATION Of power?
Mr.. Johnson-I would make uch restric- 4
tions as would have tendency to check the /
OF power at the federal head.
Correspondent desire your opinion re-
garding the recent outrages IN this state;
Mr.. johnson very emphaticpllyl-I am
decided in my opinion as 10 the duty Of the /
States in exercising their functions in sup
pressing riot and crime, ana IN the enforce
ment Of the law without delay, and the pun
shment of offenders, and thereby giving the |
Federal government no excuse or pretense for
the States for the enforcement Of
law ON tied TO be done by the states. The
state should and ought TO exercise all It's
functions without reservation, and to move
within its proper sphere. But II IL fatl OF
refuse to execute the law, and TO preserve its
distinctive and individual character, as a
state within the system, then the citizens
should have protection from some source.
yerv deeplv regret the scenes that have re-
Gently transpired IN the southern States, aud
especially these in Tennessee.
Correspondent-DO you think the discus
sion on the civil rights bill has been proIuct-
i've OF these race dlfiiculues2
Mr.. Johnson look upon the recent st
Tempt by congress 20 pass the civil rights bill
and its agitation at this time as being pecu-
peace Of the whole country, and revtving q
spirit animatlng the people during the late
civil war. This feeling had subsided, and the
negroes were receiving the benefit Of our
school system, which was and is Educating all
the children IN the State, both white and
black. Under this state of things all seemed
content The school system has given gen.
eral satisfaction.
CorTesponoent-If passed, would not the
civil rights bill be imperative?
Mr.. JOhnson-I feel satisfied that the bill
can never be put into practical operation in
this or any other Stale. The eject Of such a
plan as contained in the civil rights bill
system in this state, but in others, and would
work an irreparable damage TO the whole
Here the interview closed.