New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-01-30
THURLOW WEED on ANDREW
JOHNSON.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: The "whirligig Of time" it seems, has re-
turned Andrew Johnson TO the Senate Of the United
States This result indicates "muddled" condi-
ton of political sentiment in Tennessee. And yet
cannot regard the matter from your point Of view.
There is a lesson in the shifting fortunes of this
markable man which may be read adyantageously.
There is inherent strength, if not intrinsic WORTH in
| the character of man who. after sinking ont Of
sight covered with oblOquy, not only rises to tho
surface but resumes his position as a Senator in
| Congress! cannot bring myself to regret Andrew
Johnson's return to Congress, and will endeavOr
briefly to tell you why.
First, remember with lively gratitude lis brave
devotion to the Government and Union from tho
beginning to the end of the Rebellion. When other
Southern Senators advocated Secession and threat
ened disunion, Andrew Johnson rebuked and de-
nounced them. Whom the overt act Of Rebellion
was committed be pronounced treason crime In
volllng the punishment due to traitors.
Twas q good deal with Yicc-Prcsident johnson in
company with the late Preston King, Immediately
after the assassination of President Lincoln. know
that his first solcitude to ascertain and carry
ont tbe policy of Mr.. Lincoln. know that he went
TO the White House with that determination. lie
inherited the political hOstties which had already
assumed formidable proportions in the Senate
against Mr.. Lincoln, but unfortunately he did not
inherit Mr.. Lincoln's temper or tact. When. before
President johnson had uttered one syllable, or had
done one act subjecting him to the just censnre OF
Republicans he was assaed by Senators Sumner,
Wade Chandler ETC., ard denounced in leading Re-
publican journals. At that crisis had anxious in
teryiews with him, and while he did not conceal bis
sense Of the injustice of these assaults, he ayOwed
and reiterated his determination to fight the ques-
ton out ia the Republican party subsequently.
and on several occasions, had earnest converse
tons with him in relation to his views
and policies, and l free to say that l
left him on those occasions with high sense
of his ability and wisdom, and with
unwayering confidence in his integrity and patriot
ism. And yet that wise man-fOr such. under tho
guidance of judgment and reason. he really was
during the progress of events was beret OF both and
became the victim of passion and unreason lmeth him
at Albany while swinging round the circle" and en-
deavored in brief interview to show him that
men, in q popular sense, were like flies, and that
moro of them could be caught with honey than with
vinegar. In other words, suggested that, when
during bis tour he was called upon by his constitu
epts for speeches instead of hitting out with his
right and left" against Congress. Congress NOT
being there to reply, he would find objects and
works of improvement and progress to admire and
commend in which his audience would be inter
ested | urged that speeches consisting of orator
Choate's gttering generalities' would prove moro
acceptable to his hearers and far safer for himself
than all the anathema5 he could illuminate against
his enemies.
But he was aggressive and belligerent to a degree
that rendered hm in5ensi5le TO considerations or
prudence and common-sense qualities, which under
other auspices were marked traits in hi3 character
And thus he proceeded on his evil mission through
many States dealing blows right and left which
neither hit nor harmed anybody but himself and his
friends. His speeches strongly reminded me OF the
dog in Dombey and Son, who forever . barking
round the corner at an enemy he had never seen"
Returning to Washington, tho spirit of antago-
nism intensified he became the victim OF deiusion
which provoked and precipitated his Impeachment
And yet when his trial came nothing was proved to
require or Justify his conviction. lie was impeached
as men are not unfrequently indicted-upOn gen.
eral but vague popular idea that they have been
guilty of something and ought to be punished. And
so President johnson, serving out his accidental
term, exasperatng his enemies and notifying his
friends, passed into retirement from which no one
supposed he would ever emerge. Nor could any
common man have dug himself out of a pit so deep
and dark as that into which he had fallen. Andrew
Johnson's defects constitutional. With his loss
of temper, reason and common sense depart.
His beligerency the stump while working
his way up to place and power was effective, but
when the highest position in the Government had
been attained, other qualities and elements of mind
and temperament were needed. And here President
Johnson's deficiencies became dsastrously con-
spicuous. Striking upon this rock his political for
tune was wrecked. But underlying his ntrmties
of temper there were strong redeenlng traits OF
characteristics which, in the estimation OF the
people, fit him for public usefulness And this con-
yiction-a conviction of which the people Of Ten
nessee themselves were scarcely conscouS-fur-
nishes a solution to the problem Of his most unex-
pected return to public life. cannot, therefore,.
repeat regard this apparently capIicous result IN
simply amusing or udicrous aspect. 1t is suggestive
and significant There was method in the mad
ness OF the Tennessee Legislature. If Andrew
johnson, obliyious TO the bad passions and
worse record of his last two years OF
Presidential experience comes back to Congress the
representative of his earlier and better days, not
only Tennessee but the whole country Will have
reason to rejoice in his political resurrection.
Andrew johnson, like his colleague, George W.
| Jones' from the State, was for long years
sentinel at the door of the Treasury. Their voices
and their votes were ever and with hmt-llko In
1exiblity heard and recorded against Jobs and
grabs" of every description. Such men were never
more needed than now in Congress. Every honest
Senator and Representative added to those VINO can
be counted upon to stand up firmly against c!amS
and combinations with which the puDIlc treasury Is
| monaeed should be welcomed and cherished ire
speciye of party by all tho friends OF good govern
| ment. ""
| Nec York, Jan 90 1875.
"A single sentence in the above may perhaps indi'
cate that Mr. Weed has understood us as regreltina
the return of ex President johnson to the Senate We