Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-06
UNION AND AMERICAN.
SENATOR JOHKSON'S FAMILY.
"Reminiscences OF Their Life at the
White HOuse-Wrs. Patterson as a
HOstess-Bad Health VIII Keep Mrs.
Johnson frOzn Washington.
RrOoElyn FagIa

White HOuse-HEs. Patterson as a
HOsfess-Bad Health VIII Keep Mrs.
Johnson from Washington.
Brooklyn Eagle.
The return of Andrew johnson to
public life brings the members Of his
Immediate household again into public
prominence. OF that household only
kind words have been spoken, and now,
as IN the past, they are entitled to the
respect the nation has ever given them.
There never wss a family so utterly in
different to public notice, so utterly
oblivious Of any claim they might
have upon It. Hence, there have been
few people more deserving Of recogni-
ton or more opposed to receiving
It. When the family took possession
of the White House t. ere was a class
Of people who imagined they had now
found easy prey, and their self-cOnh-
dence and yulgarity led them to call
early upon the family they proposed to
use for their own selfishpurposes. The
Shiny lengths OF the feet Of these IL
bred carrion never crossed the thresh-
old Of the private entrance of the Pres
dents house. They were met at the
dor by a little woman whose stately
air a,ved them, and whose gentle firm
ness re buked their impcrtnent cuTiosi-
ty. eve are plain people from the
mountains of East Tennessee" she
said. "but We know our position and
shall maintaiV It" Quietly that door
turned on its hinges; all Washington
was surprised aud pleased, and the
Presidents daughter was mistress Of
the situation. That daughter, the eldest
and best beloved # the children Of
Andrew johnson, was well fitted by ma
ture and education to FL the high sta
ton she was then suddenly calledupOn
to fill. She was educated where so
many daughters OF the South have
been, at the nUnnery N Georgetown,
and while her father was N the Senate
years ago, sheremained there, spending
her weekly holidays with President
Folks family II the White House.
There she met Mrs. Madison, the Blarrs,
Lees and other-eld families Of Wash
ington. many Of whom N later years
gladly welcomed her return TO Wash
ington. She was thus early introduced
into Washington social life, and the
people who imagined that Andrew
JOhnson's family were to prove
a milestone about his neck, forget
that Martha Patterson was his daUgE-
ter. Forget IS well that his
wife was one Of the remarkable women
Of her day, and not too great an invalid
after twenty years Of sickness 20 be an
interested observer Of all public events,
and particularly Of all events that con-
cerned her husbands welfare. There
were others Of the family who pos
sessed the same family sentiments; one
other daughter, herself the mother Of
fair Young children and two sons, one
of whom has since died. Andrew
johnson returns to the Senate a poor
man. for be was always a bitter foe Of
debt, and even his lifelong political
foes admit his honesty. Returning to |
public life after a retirement OF SIX
years. lie brings with him the same
characteristics that have ever dIstln-
ouighed him. Wealth he Will never
POSSESS. for he has 10 exalted
idea Of its benefits, and he
has lived n a section Of country
where wealth was the exception. East
Teunesseeans are for the most part
people in moderate circumstances, and
IA their climate luZCries are not so es-
santiaIias they arefurther North. Reared
II primitive simplicity, and enduring
poverty N all its forms IN early life, he
has not felt the lack Of fortune which
others commiserate. Self reliant and
Industrious himself, be has impaired
these sterling qualities to his children,
and they are notably Of Independent
and strong natures. Mrs. johnson Will
-7ayer return to Washington to live.
Her house in Greeneyille is the dearest
{ al earthly places to her, and, among
l.. lifelong friends aud neIghbOrs her
;TZ-aJio wears are more happily spent
t,an tbav could be among strangers.
She cannot O, a INTO society on account
Of her health, and " asnlng IIil
cares little for the we OF a Pupllc
man unless she enterts,' ms hanosomely'
Had she health she would got give ner
life TO social pleasures, 10 sue Is
strong. thoughtful and earnest, .~uu Is
not of the throng, even when WI
them. Her pride Is amply grauhed IN 4
her husbands advancement, and IN the |
progress Of her grandchildren with |
whom she finds never ending pleasure. |
Mrs. Patterson, the wife OF ex-Judge
and ex-senator Patterson, will be the |
representative Of her mother IN Wash |
ington next season, and she, with her |
Young daughter, lust now at school IN |
North Carolina, viii do the hOnOT5 of
Tennessee's ex-PresidenJ and present |
Senator. Mrs. Brown, formerly Mrs.
Storer. the second daughteT-and there
are but twO-has her interests cen /
tered in GreenevIlle, where her hus-
band resides and where her children
are being educated. Mrs. Patterson
las no young children to clam her
care her only son, Andrew johnson,
beino almost grown, and her daughter at
Drasept a young lady preparing TO enter
society The only son Of Mr.. johnson
L a-Ssgad in business IN Greenevlle,
md remains. N the absence OF his
father his mothers protector. These
-, al ,,o,,,Lars Of the family Of
b15ro5T Johnson. Of whom the
zvoTId has heard so little since his re-
tirement from public life. 1ne5 nv S,I
buried one Of their mum Der, 20 O5I'
Robert johnson, since they lelS " ash ASH
ington. but with this exception, Iney
are an unchanged band. Mrs. Pattsr.s
son is now a woman IN the prime OF
life: resembling her father IN all his
mental characteristics and like him ID
will. power and energy. She has q
daughters pride IN his public career,
and a daughters soEcitude for his wei
fare. She has been to him a blessing
from her very childhood, an obedient,
faithful daughter. Next winter, IN
Washington, she viii add lustre to his
name by the dignity she viii discover,
IL. IL i,,H--rr,nn IL ILL ava1r