Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-10
UNION AND AMERICAN.
THE LION OF THE NEW SENATE
-.President Andrew .Ioh,


Ex-President Andrew johnson is ev-
identity the lion Of the new Senate
The popular interest in that body seems
to center in him. There is in this some
matter for reflection. Mr.. johnson was
elected to the Senate against the efforts
of the politicians of both parties. They
spared no effort to beat him. He was,
in one sense, regarded as a traitor by
each organization. The Democrats of
Tennessee had advanced him from a
village Alderman through all the grada-
lions to the position of United States
Senator. When the war came on
he became connected with the
Republican party, and was by
1t elected to the Office OF
Vice President, and under the forms Of
the Constitution he became President
of the United States. In that Office he
disappointed the expectations of those
who elected him. They we're then his
bitter enemies. They impeached him
and endeavored to turn him out Of
Office, and only failed by a single vote.
Nevertheless, IN a Legislature largely
made up of ex-Confederates, he was
elected, receiving the votes also Of the
Republicans who were members Of 1t.
No Senator Of the United States ever
received 1.-THE of the congratulatory
dispatches which after his election
poured IN upon him. They were from
every part Of the country. The uni
versal burden Of them all was that
he was an honest man. He had
passed through q long political life free
from any stain or e7en charge Of cor
ruption. When President, he declined
all presents. He sent back a carriage
and two horses offered him from New
York. He has but a modest pecuniary
competence, although be has been IN
public life for more than forty years.
This, IN this age Of republican rule, Is
considered so extraordinary IS to de-
serve special mention and congratula-
ton. We do not say that it Is not just.
To a large extent we believe 1t IS.
It Is a fine commentary upon the age
and upon the government OF the Re
publican party. In the old Democratic
days. twenty-five years ago, when hon
esty was the rule, nobody would have
thought Of rejoicing because an honest
man was chosen to the Senate Of the
United States.
New York Times CRepublican).
Crowds Of persons hocked to the
Capitol at Washington for the purpose
of catching a glimpse of Andrew John
son. When he came forward IN the
Senate 10 take the oath, he was greeted
with cheers. His desk was covered
with bouquets, and numbers Of Sena-
tors and lesser personages fiockedround
70 shake him by the hand. What has
brought about this change? For 1t Is
a great change, as we all remember. 1t
seems but the other day since every
body but Mr.. Seward and a few others
were hinging mud at Andrew Johnson.
No deuunciation was deemed to be Sc
we're enough for him. Public opinion
Is sometimes tickle, but this Is no mere
SIGN OF fckleness. Do not the people
begin to suspect that, after all, the
much abused Andy johnson was
not so very far wrong IN his opinions
about the duties Of the Government
and the limits of the Constitution:
his IDllCFV NLAIA W. ~ AAA--tA-NNA
and caricatured-whatw was 1t, after al?
Read his annual messages and his veto
message to-day, and there viii be found
very little that is dangerous to public
liberties in them. Andrew johnson
made his sacrifices for the Union in its
dark days-few of his assailants could
or would have made so many. When
the history Of the Reconstruction Pc
Rod comes to be written, his share in
1t will assuredly not be described by
the impartial historian in the terms
which were common enough seven years
ago. But what would Ben Wade, that
''fery war-horse, - and Mr.. Sumner
have said could they have witnessed the
reception accorded to Mr.. johnson yes
terday? Mr.. Wade perhaps will tell
us-as for the opinion Of Mr.. Sumner,
Il can only be family imagined.