Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-08-24
JOHNSON AND KEY.
"Reminiscences of the Relations Be-
tween the Deceased Senator and his
Eneaaaa0r

the war until the bloody chapter had a
bloody end. The close Of the war found
him IN the pine woods of North Caro-
lima, with no money but Confederate,
and but little Of that, and without
knowledge of whether ne was to be
hung or could practice law. He de-
scribes his depression during those
days as extreme. He could form no
idea as to the future. He was separated
from his family. He did not know that
he could ever return 70 East Tennes-
see. As TO practicing law, there was no
law to practice. Everything was in
confusion The policy of the Govern
ment was not defined; the late
Southern soldiers had no status; the
officers did not know but what they
were 20 be tried for treason and landed
on the other shore IN light marching
order. Such was the gloom and uncer-
talnty surrounding them that many
an ex-Confederate mas told me that
were it not for his family, he fairly
enTied those who reposed IL the ever
lasting sleep.
Andrew johnson was then President,
and his historic utterances about ma
king treason odious and hanging trait
ors were not reassuring to Col. Key.
He had known Mr.. johnson in happier
days, when they both pulled IL the
same party harness in East Tennessee.
He had always supported him-tbat Is,
until the var cast them apart as wide
as the poles. Up TO that event they
had been fast friends.
Thinking the matter over in the
North Carolina woods, where he found
himself when the wreck of the Con-
federacy went to pieces, he resolved to
write his friend of other days letter,
and ask if he was to be hung, and, if
so, at what time, and If the cere-
mony was to take place In
North Carolina. He depicted
his. miserable situation truthfGlly,
keeping nothing back, and asking for
advice and information. The President
received the letter. We may suppose
that his heart was touched for his
friend Of other days, and that the bit
terness engendered by the war was even
then beginning rapidly TO disappear. 1
sometimes think that letters ike this,
from his old friends stranded IN the
South, had much to DO with his sudden
change OF policy towards that. section
N 1865. In his letter to the President,
Colonel Key did not ask for a pardon.
He merely inquired for advice and in
formation. But by return military
mail there came 4 free pardon for D.
Al. Key, from AnC-7w Johnson, Presi-
dent Of the United States.
Col. Key says he was never before so
glad to get anything. 1t was unexpected,
and al the more welcome for that. He
COW felt that ne belonged to his fami-
ly, to whom be Is very devoted, and
that he could 90 t. work aud make
them living without Government
hindrance. That was then the height
of his ambition. He fully accepted
the situation, and the line of his
argument from that day to his can be
embodied IN few words, namely: we
staked all and lost ali; the ccn'rJversy
has been settled by the highest tribunal
known to man; there Is bu; one Govern
ment and one flag, and that Is our
Government and our flag"
He returned TO Chattanooga and
commenced the practice Of the law
without a thought above providing for
his family. Shortly afterward he Wis
tied Washington on business, taking
MS wife. He took lodgings II quarters
compatible with his purse, which was
not at that time N a very inflated
condition. By some means the Presi-
) NJ found him out. and sent an invita-
ton = Mr.. and Mrs. Key To dine at
tue White H use. Col. Key was =
trifle surprised at this, considering that,
three vars before, either party would
have been glad to have hung the other
There vas largely more hanging talked
about than was ever done however.
The lady Of the house where Col. Key
AID wife were stopping vas aneZed,
not to say inflated, TO see her guests
20 to dine at the White House. In all
her experience in the boarding house
business the Ike OF this never before
occurred Johnson received his old
friends most cordially, and to the day
Of his death was an admirer of Col
Key. Could be have appointed his own
successor, the charge hit have fallen
where 1t did.
Memories al GreenevIIIe Man Now
ia the indiana Legislature.
indianapolis Correspondence.
On the Charlottesville and Evans
vile railroad. however, l had the pleas
ure Of meeting the Hon. Henry K,
W.lsOn, State Senator from Sullivan
county. In the course Of converse
ton, he referred to the ct of beng a
native cf Tennessee.
What part of TENNESSEE" l asked
"Greeneville, the home of Andy
johnson, was the reply.
Then you must have known him." 1
observed.
"Long and well, - Mr.. Wilson re.
piled, and added Andy Johnson was
working at his trade when ! left Ten
nessee. Indeed, ne made the suit Of
clothes l wore IN this State. The
material was mixed gray cloth. and it
fitted aRd wore well. | reminded Mr.. |
johnson oft wheE he WIS President, |
and told him if / had know ne would |
ever become President, ! should have |
preserved the suit. Andy laughed. and |
said there was ne lack Of ms make |
Of clothes around; that few days be- !
fore an old HeighbOr called TO see him, !
with a coat Of his making on. II
didn't look 50 bad, said Andy, with a
smile
What kind of looking man was
Mr. johnson when you snew him in |
Tennessee:" I asked: that Is, did he |
impress you as more capable than other |
men IN his condition Il lIfe;"
He was very much such a looking |
man as he was later in life. He then |
had a thoughtful and rather sad face, |
and, l remember, he impressed me |
with a Telling Of respect, which was |
not materially iucr, by bis suhse-
9uent success. L can not say that an
LlcIPateG MS elevation, either, DuJ [ Am /
sure 1t dI1 Mt surprise me-
From the tune be made NY suit Of |
clothes l did not see him again until ] |
was N nay way to the Charleston Con.
venti1n. l stopped at Washington on
purpose % see him. ] had some diff
Guilty a finding him. Nobody S .em1d |
to know his whereabou s. lie then had |
some hopes Of the nomination for Pres
ident and he got some votes IL Con-
vnntiou / and asked mo vvb,sr,, 7 ,yag IN