The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-27
The Election OF Andrew johnson.

Andrew johnson was member OF the
Senate when the war began, and his course
at that time was SO popular in the North that
the republican party in 1864 made him its
candidate for Vice President on the ticket
with MIR. Lincoln. When the assassination
of Lincoln raised him to the Presidency Mr.
Johnson adopted policy which speedily
brought him into conflict with the republican
majority in Congress, and resulted in war
between the Legislative and executive de-
partmen:s of the government which had no
precedent in American history He professed
to carry out the ideas of Mr.. Lincoln in re-
spect to the South, but the country preferred
the ideas of Thaddeus Stevens, and Mr.. johnson
was defeated and escaped by one vote only
verdict by the Senate which would have for
ever consigned him to retirement and made
him ineligible to Office. But though he was
not convicted upon the articles Of impeach-
ment preferred by the House. Congress had
the power to fetter him by special laws. In
the latter part of his administration his use
fulness as President was almost paralyzed.
The country was governed by Mr. Stanton,
General Grant and the republican leaders in
Congress. We have thought that if Mr.. John
son had been corrupt man this unfortunate
conflict would never have occurred. Mr.. Lin
coin would have avoided it by his skill in con-
ciliating his opponents, and this skill would
have been employed honorably. But Andrew
johnson possessed no dexterity of this kind !;
he was blunt, stubborn and defiant. He
might have controlled Congress by the i'm
proper use Of the patronage of his, Office but
it will remain to his honor that he refused to
make political market of the White House,
and that even hostile Congress could not
find pretext to accuse him Of personal dis
honesty. He was charged with public
offences alone, and, though we do not think
he was entirely right in his course, it is now
generally conceded that the imaginary mis-
demeanors of 1866 were, in fact, official merits
Andrew johnson has fortunately lived to
see his vindication and to have 1t confirmed
by his election to the Senate. Because the
American people know him so well. because
he was impeached and bounded as traitor
and chained and handcuffed by Congress, the
contest in the Tennessee Legislature possessed
q national interest and is really national
victory. He is the best man that Tennessee
could have chosen, not merely for herself, but
for the democracy North end South. In the
Senate he will be of far greater use to the
country than he was in the Presidency for
the independence which is inseparable from
his character will have better opportunity in
the duties Of legislation than it could have in
those of the Executive. The Senate needs
men who have the courage to speak
the truth, and besides this. Mr.. johnson
has probably profted by time and ex.
perience. In his interview with our CORE
spondent, published to-day, he says he has nc
revenges to crafty in his new sphere ofpower,
and we trust to see this promise faithfully full.
filed. He has reason enough to be resentful,
but there are greater reasons why lie should
be Just and impartial His patriotism has
been vindicated by his State and he can afford
to be magnanimous to General Grant. I'm.
usual interest viii be felt by the country in
his course in the Senate, and we earnestly
trust that the faults of his character and the
errors of his record will be obliterated and
forgotten in the splendid career of usefulness
which his election to the Senate has opened.