New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-08-02

jeff Davis Assaulted by Senator Lane of Oregon, he
replied to him with great vigor and elOquence.
These speeches electrified tho patriotic and
encouraged tho fsnt-hearted. They made
the speaker intensely popular In the North.
winning for him the esteem OF all Unlonists
irrespective Of party In part of his career did
Mr. johnson render moro service to his country than
perhaps at this critical moment His example slim
ulsted the patriotism of the people everywhere and
gave the prosecuted Unoaists in the Border States
renewed courage During the remainder Of the ses-
sion he acted firmly with the President in preparing
to resist accession and restore the Federal authority
In his state. however, Secession was dominant
for the time being, and on his return there he was
in daily peril Of his life. He burned in eigy at
Memphis. and at Liberty treated with personal
violence. Coming northward. fugitive. rs he said
not from Justice but from tyranny. he was received
with great enthusiasm by the people, who were re-
animated 10y his loyal sentiments.
Before Senator Johnson's term had expired the
victories at Forts Henry and Donelson had oosened
the Confederate hold upon Tennessee, and as Gov.
Harris had gone over to the Secessonsts il became
necessary for the President to establish Provisional
Government. Mr.. Lincoln accordingly appointed
Senator johnson Governor. and gave him the rank
Of Brigadier-lencral III the volunteers Repairing
to Nashville, Gov. johnson entered upon hs duties
and until March. l. 64. he ruled the State with an
iron hand. During that time he rcprcsscd sedition,
arrested Secessiost protected fugitive slaves. and
levied contributions for the impoverished UnionstS
He also coGror;i,cd actively with the Union
forces and contributed greatly to the success
of the Federal arms in that quarter When Nash
willie was besieged. and 1t was proposed to abandon
the place no replied with characteristic frmness,
81 am no military man. hut any one who talks OF
surrcudering I will shoot His policy of " blood
and iron" succeeded, aud in March, 1854, Tennessee
re;rtered the Union as free state. with regularly
elected civil government
Desiring 10 recognize his valuable services and at
the same time conciiate the war Democrats, the
Republican Convention which rencminated lresi-
dent Lincoln in june 1861, named Andrew John
son NJ IFS candidate for Vice-Ircsdent. Hc had re-
ceiyoA 900 vote, OH tho first ballot, which were IN
creased to 49, the second. being III more than
were needed. Both candidates were popular and
carried all except three OF the states which voted at
the ensuing election.
Vice President johnson took Che oath Of Office on
the i-h of March. 1851, making on the occasion an
incohcrent and bamba=tic elrerh. which was deemed
in very bad taste President Lincoln. however. III
his good-nat,Ired way said that Andrew Johnson
wa too much of n man 10 I've rcpndiated for single
fault On the / 18th Of April, the lamented Lincoln
was assassinaed. and Andrew johnson became
Pr silent Of the United States He at once sad tIat
he intended to do Lis utmost toward punish
ing seccssioni5ts, and would make treason
Odious. In May. he appointed commission 10
Try the persons engaged in the conspiracy 10 assls-
snate President Lincoln, Offering at the same time
reward Of 800 900 for the arrest Of ex-presideut
Day, as an abettor in te crimo. He appeared 70 Oe
IN accord with the angry spirit ri the time, and WAS
regarded by the victor, well the vanquished as
a man of ruthless severity Turning his attention,
however to the erayor task Of Teconstructng the
Union he acted on the sumption that he was en-
powered to establish provisional governments with
the view Of enabling the Southern states 10 resume
promptly their former position IN the Union. Hold
ing ~ a cardinal principle that these States could
not secede, he was intent on allowing
them all the independence they had formerly
enjoyed. Accordingly, when Congress assembled IN
December 1865. he sent message announcing tfat
eight Of the southern States hal been thoroughly
reconstructed Dissatisfied with this courae, which
threatened to restore the old order Of things IN the
South and place the scce5siOnist leader, IN power,
the Republican majority repudatod the Presidents
acts and proceeded to reore nize the South after ils
own fashion. Then began that conflict viii h
was wagrd with relcntless bitterness during the re-
mainder Of his term Congress passed bill after bill
designed to cripple his power AM assert IT. authority
i'm the subjugatcd States. The President answered
by vot0ng each hostile measure. making his
message the occasion Of an elaborate defense OF MS
policy. Before the close of his Germ he had vetoed
no less than 70 hi is. Among the more important OF
these measures were the Civil Rights bill. March %,
1866; tho Freedmans Bureau Bill June II. 1865;
the Military Reconstruction hill, MarcI 3. 1867;
the Supplementary Reconstruction bill Jaiy 20
1867, and the admission of Southern Representa-
tiyes. June % 1sC5.
Seeking for popular support In CHS warfare, Pres
ident johnson encouraged the holding OF cCnyen-
ton at Philadelphia IN August, 1861. Mt which
many republicans and Democrats of unducstioned
loyalty were present. This Convention approved OF
his policy and sent depuiatIOn to assure him OF It's
condolences. Replying to the delegates, Sir. johnson
spoke of Congr tss IA ga body hanging upon the
verge of the Government" and declared that it as
IA Congress of only part of the States. while 1t as
suIncL to represent the whole Coat ling still fur
tber in thu people whom h. blindly supposed were
with him Mr. Johnson made tour through the
Middle and West, IN States with the Wow OF al
footing the rcsul. of the approaching elections. This
"swinrine round the circle he termed IT, how
ever had 10 sensible effect the popular mind. aud
at the State elections Congress was sustained. and
hi, supporters were placed in hopeless minority
Encouraged by the tone of popular sentiment tde
Hon. James II. Ashley of Oiio. NJ ihe instance of
leading Republican,. moved q resolution III
the House OF Representatives, on the 9TH
Of JInuIry, 1907. directing the Judiciary
Committee inquire If there Hts 10; cause f'r tine
imn,achment Of the President, which resolution
wa. adopted by vote OF 100 to 30. The matter
remained ia allegiance unit. >ov. -. 1867, Whrr the
House. By vo.e of los t. .. refused to adopt a
resolution upeachng him. IT, defiant removal of
secret..Iy Stanton ia January, iSGS ho"evor, was
r.,r than the Republicans could endure, aud on the
. IA nj y Urinary IN, HOUSE rs % vOte of 12S 10 ~