Knoxville Whig and chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1875-1882, 1875-08-04

active in the advocacy of a homestead
bill, which was one OF his most pop
ular acts. He favored the annex
alton of Texas, and heartily supported
the war measures of President Folks
administration consequent upon our
troubles with Mexico.
In 1858 he was elected Governor OF
Tennessee, after an exciting canvass,
defeating Hon. Gustavus A. Henry,
whom the Wings styled the Eagle
Orator.
In 1865 he made his memorable can
vass against the American, or, as it
was more Familiarity known, the Know
Nothing party. His competitor was
Hon. Meredith p. Gentry. The can
vass was one of the most exciting in
the history of the State. The contest
was close, but Mr.. Johnson was elected
Governor for a second term. At the
expiration of his second term, in 1857
| he was elected to the United States
Senate as,the successor of Hon. James
G. Jones.
Nothing occurred in his Sem
atorial career worthy of special
notice until the winter of 1860
'61, when the question of the war
of the Rebellion came up. 1t was
when Southern Senators were making
defiant speeches in the Senate and
talking about secession, that he, almost
alone among Southern men of his par
ty, took bold stand in favor of the
Union. The whole country was
thrilled as by electricity with his
speeches. So strong were his utter
ances that he after leaving Washing
ton was in danger of personal violence
from men laboring under the excitement
of that ever memorable period. After
Congress adjourned he came home and
addressed the largest assemblages that
ever met in Tennessee, and in his dis
courses denounced Secession in his
strongest style. He remained in East
Tennessee until he could no longer
make Union speeches, and then
crossed the Cumberland mountains to
Kentucky, where he took refuge with
in the Federal lines. He took
his seat in Congress at the
first session called by Mr.. Lincoln ,,and
until in 1862, was a leading supporter
of all war measures for the suppress
sion of the rebellion. In that year, on
the Sd day of March, he was appointed
Military Governor of Tennessee, and
on the 10Th day of September, 1868, he
was empowered by President Lincoln
to exercise such powers as he thought
necessary to enable the "loyal people
of Tennessee to present such Repub'
lican form of government as will emit
tie the State to the guarantee of the
United States therefor, and to be pro
tected under such government" etc
He Immediately assumed the duties Of
the position, and enforced his views
so vigorously as to make mortal enc
mics of many of the residents of the
State who had espoused the cause
of secession. In recognition of his
services in behalf of the Fedora
Government, he was nominated fol
Vice-President on the ticket with Mr.
Lincoln, by the Republicans at Balti
more in 1864, and was elected. In De
cember, 1864, upon his advice and a
his suggestion, convention was called
to reorganize the State Government o
Tennessee. On the 25th day of Febru
airy, 1865, he issued his official declara
} ton of the ratification of the Amend,
ments to the Constitution, and imme
diately left for Washington, where h'
was installed as Vice-President on tn,
4th day of March. On the 14th day o
, April President Lincoln was assassina
! ted and Mr.. Johnson, by virtue of his
office, became President of the United
States, thus reaching the highest offic,
within the gift of the greatest nation
on earth.
> His Presidential career is wei
known. He soon became involved in
fierce controversy with the leadin;
Republican members of Congress OF
the question of the policy whicl
+ should prevail in the reconstruction
Il Oh lub Oouluclu pldNcS' I16lci again
, his strong will came in play, and will
all the strength of his official position
he fought the majority in Congress,
: number of the most important recon
, struction measures receiving his veto
His course on this question made hin
: many friends in the South, and man,
/ of the leading Southern men forgav,
!. him for his former course while sup
: porting the war against secession.
At the expiration of his Presidential
: term he returned to his hbme q
Greeneville, where one might natural
n ly suppose he would have rested quiet
: ly on his laurels. But he did not. Hi
passion for active political life led hin
: irresistably into the arena, an
t in 1871 he was a candidate for tn
q United States Senate. After an eX
: citing contest he was defeated by Hon
? Henry Cooper. In 1872, he made hi
I memorable canvass for the Lowe
r House of Congress from the State a
Large, his opponents being Hon. Hol
10 ace Maynard and Gen. b. f. Cheat
% ham. Mr.. Maynard was elected. L
;, the canvass last fall he made seYerS
b speeches in the State, and announce
| I,i,,,ea1f a candidate for fha Sanat 4,