The Indiana State sentinel., 1875-08-05

premiership IN order 70 avoid trlal for
boyish freak, he returned, and offered to pay
the journeyman for his unexpired term.
The same sterling integrity marked his pub
lie cand private conduct all through life, and
the same sensitive honor that prompted his
boyish offer to his master made him refuse
to accept present when president of the
United States. The reasons, founded in
public policy, which he gave for the latter
act, formed a fitting rebuke for less scrupu-
lous public servants.
ambition, courage, frmness of conviction.
patriotism and honesty was his rough
and ready eloquence. he became capt.
waited with ster-pieces of British elo-
suence, as he heard them read while at work
for oratory was thus stimulated, ifnot after
ward guided, by good models. That he
should, however, become great orator-as
far as literery elegance constitutes great
ness-was not to be beexpected. He lacked the
necessary knowledge, culture, and perhaps
genius. But in dealing with masses Of
preiudiced and uncouth men he early ac-
quired wonderful skill; and his prompti-
tude. aggressiveness and felicity in putting
an argument to a crowd in political can
vass were telling. His defect was that
he had no critical faculty, and he often de-
generated into mere rant and fustisn where
he aimed at sublimity-in no relation of
life was he remarkable for good taste.
1t is useless to review the various acts of
his political life. for they are mostly familiar
to the reader. No one can deny that he
committed many serious blunders in poll
tics, and in particular instances used his
power psssionstely rather than
justly, but in Judging of his
life it must be remembered
that he appeared for the most part as the
friend of those measures that have met the
subsequent approval of the country. Above
all, let it be borne in mind, that he was one
of those great souls who stood for the Union
while it was in danger. and then
preached the broad and noble doctrine of
forgiveness, justice and reconciliation after
the strife was over. He broke with his own
people when principle constrained him, but
he was quick to yield to the natural touch, I"
and let affection have its way. The
Il sson of his life is simple one.
1t teaches in an age when men
are preaching the omnipoteDce OF pop
ulsr opinion a decent regard for mans
ow convictions. 1t maintains the cause Of
Individual character against the worlds CEN
sure or applause. Andrew Johnson was
driven into exile by his own people, who
even forced from home his wife and family
and yet he lived to be the champion
of the South, and the representative OF those
no once hated him with a perfect hatred.
he was impeached for his reconstruction
policy, and yet he lived to see
it acknowledged to have been
better than the system OF plunder
and tyranny which supplaHted it
His presidential powers were virtually
taken from him, even before his term of
Office closed, and put into the hands of a
soldier, and yet he lived to see the people
grow weary and Disguised with their favor
ite. He was driven in contumely to private
life, and yet he lived to see the nation
hail his return to the Senate chamber
with a glad welcome. Had he been
mere time server-s public weathercock-
he might never have lost popular favor, but
he could never have achieved such tri-
umpbant vindicstion. Would that some OF
the statesmen whom he has left behind
could inherit few grains of his stubborn
self-relisnce.