Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-09-14
Correspondence OF the Gin. Commercial. ]
JOHNSON AND KEY.
"Reminiscences of the Relations
Between the Deceased Sens
atOr and his Successor.

He cast his lot with his State when
Tennessee seeded, and served
through the war until the bloody
chapter had bloody end. The close
of the war found him in the pine
woods of North Carolina, with no
money but Confederate. and but lit
tie of that, and without knowledge of
whether he was to be hung or could
practice law. He describes his de,
preston during those days as extreme.
He could form no idea as to the fu-
ture. He was separated from his
family. He did not know that he
could ever Eeturn to East Tennessee.
As to practicing Law. there WAS 30 law
to practice. Everything WAS in con-
fusion. The policy of the Governs
meut WAS not defined : The late South,
ern soldiers had co; status; the Off
GERS did not know but what they we're
10 BE tried for treason and landed on
the olher shore in light marching
order. Such was the gloom and un
certainty surrounding them that many
az Confederate has told ue that
we're it not for his emily. be fairly
Cnvied those who reposed in the ever
lasting sleep.
Andrew Johnson was then PreSi=
deut, and his historic utterances
about making treason odious and
hanging traitors we're Tot reassuriRg
20 Col. Key. He had known Mr..
johnson in happier days, when they
both pulled in the same party har-
ness in East Tennessee. He had al
ways supported him-that is, until
the war cast them apart as wide as
the poles. Up 20 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
ConfederScy went to pieces. he re-
solved 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 ceremony was to take place in
North Carolina. He depicted his
miserable situation sruthfully, keep=
ing nothing back, and asking for ad-
vice and Information The President
received the letter We may suppose
that his heart was touched for his
friend Af other days, and that the
bitterness engendered by the war was
even then beginning rapidly to
disappear. l sometimes think that
letters like this, from his old friends
stranded in the South, had much TO
do with his sudden change of policy
towards that section in 1865. In his
letter to the President, Colonel Key
did not ask for a pardon. He merely
inquired for advice and information.
But by return military mail there
came free pardon for D. NJ. Key,
from Andrew johnson, President OF
Uhe United States.
Col. Key says he was never before
so glad to get anything. 1t was un-
expected. and ali the more Welcome
for that. He now felt that he belonged
to his family, to whom he is very
I devoted. and that he could 60 TO
work and make them living without
Government hindrauce, That was
then the height of his ambition. He
fully accepted the situation, aud the
line of his argument from that day To
this can be embodied in few words
namely: owe staked all and lost
all the controversy has been settled
by the highest tribunal known to man
there is but one Government and one
flag, and that is our Government and
our flag"
He returned to Chattanooga and
commenced the practice of the Law
without thought sbYve providing for
his family. Shortly afterward he
visited Washington on business,
taking his wife. He took lodgings
in quarters compatible to his purse,
which was not at that time in very
inflated condition. BY some means
the President found him out, and sent
an invitation to Mr.. and Mrs. Key to
dine at the White House. Col. IL J
was a trife surprised at this. conS'd
ering that three years before, either
party woald have ben 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 and Si;e were
stopping was amazed, MT to say no
Rated," TO see her guests go to dine
] 49,. IUn;ta uousa In all her eX-