New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-08-10
ANDREW JOHNSON.

HIS COLLEAGUES AND ACTS IN THE TwENTY-RfHTU
CONGRESS DEVOTION TO THE UNION - uu
SOUTHERN POLICY.
TO the Editor Of Ths Trtbsns.
SIR: The career of Andrew johnson. which has
inst closed, was one of the most remarkable which
has been witnessed in times. He rose from the
humbest rank to the highest place in the world
Not only was his personal life eventful but hs
exertsd more important influence upon the fortunes
Of the country than any man who has taken part in
public affairs for the last thirty years. Such Q
career ought to be studied. Tho grave has closed
over him. He sleeps in the midst Of tho people who
knew him al his life, from tho day that be opened
his little shop until the hour whcn relinqushing the
Office of President Of the United States. he came
back to his village homo. In England such man
would find tomb in Westminster Abbey; but the
friends Of Andrew Johnson have given him an
appropriate burial place in valley where the great
mountains, with which he was familiar throw their
shadows over his resting place. 1t is we'll
BEGINNING PUBLIC LIFE.
saw Mr.. Johnson for the first time in December.
IL ~ at the opening of the XXIXth Congress. when
| took my seat a. member Of the House Of Repre-
scntatives from Alabama. The House was at that
time composed Of men who would have attracted
attentionin any parliamentary body in the world.
John Quincy Adams sat at his desk alone. still illus
trous as well for tho great qualities which distin-
gushed him az for the honors he had won. DouglM
of Illinois, in the prime of bis manhood. had ale
ready attracted the attention Of tho whole country
Hunter of Virginia was still adding to bis great
reputation. Winthrop of Massachusetts,, elegant
accomplished, and able, yet growing as a statesman.
| and afterward Speaker, shed grace upon the body
in which he sat as member. The two IngersOlla
the one Wing, the other pronounced Democrat
represented Philadelphia. Hamlin Of Maine, aspir.
lug tn Aft oh w
Ashmun of Massachusetts and Duer Of NewYork
were of marked ability. Alexander II. Stephens
and Howell Cobb Of Georgia had just entered the
road to distinction. Yancey of Alabama and Cling
man of North Carolina were there the one destined
to be leader of the extreme school Of Southern
Democrats, the other growing in influence az .
Wing. Jefferson Davis aud Robert Toombs took
their seats 40 members of the House for the first
time Andrew johnson had already served two
years. and having been reelected, entered the new
Congress to take his place among these able and dis
tnguished men.
had been in Europe for some years, and most Of
the faces were unknown to me. Looking over that
large body of men. representing tho whole country.
with its boundaries they were then marked. soon
learned to appreciate the Of force who took part
in its proceedings 1t was impossible to overlook
Mr.. johnson. without elegance. and destitute OK
high culture, still his appearance was impressive
The great quality that distinguished him was
edraosness. In politics, in manners. In Dress IN
everything, he was ono Of the people. He hated
everything arstocratc. Ho knew tho source OF his
strength me stunned the circles where the graces Of
life were appreciated and loved to exhibit him
self as an illustration Of the triumph OF
the man over tho conventional forms OF
life. He displayed on two occasions in the House
his characteristic traits He proposed TO give
home to every man who would settle upon 1t. AZ
the close of the Congress in which Mr. Winthrop had
presided as Speaker Of the House. when the custo-
mary resolution of thanks to the retiring officer was
offered, Mr. johnson opposed it in bitter. vehement
speech because he fancied that some slight had been
put upon him by the gentleman who had filled the
chair with much grace and ability.
1t happened in the course Of the fir4
session Of that Congress that friendly In
tercourss grew up between Mr.. johnson
and myself I felt it to be my duty to
vote for the Tariff bill reported from the COMMITTEES
of Ways and Means in the Spring of 1916 againss
the wishes of political friends the single Wing who
sustained the measure matured by the Democrats IN
Congress. also favored Dir. Johnson's Land bill
This concurrence of opinion in regard to two I'M
portsnt measures gained for me the friendship OF Mr.
Johnson-a sentiment which he took occasion more
than once to express. though we aftorward difereA
widely upon most political questions.
THE REBELLION.
Il il well known that in the great struggle for the
Presidency, in 1860, Mr. johnson supported the
claims of Mr.. Breckenridge. But the whole rela-
tons OF the man to political parties changed after
Mr. Lincoln's accession to power The grand drama
that was displayed from that hour In this country
found Mr.. Johnson in tho ranks Of bis political
enemies. The breadth between the poles is mo-
greater than that which separated Mr. Breckenridge
from Mr.. LincOln-the one representative OF the
extremist Southern doctrines. the other the
chosen leader of the party that denounced the
system of servitude existing in tho great States ex-
tending from the Potomac to the Gulf OF
Mexico. Confroated the two parties
stood, under the lead of these two statesmen.
Mr. johnson promptly in view of the whole world.
turned his back upon his friends and took his place
in the ranks Of his political enemies. Not for one
moment did no hesitate his stride was direct and
his purpose settled az he marched from under the
uplifted banner Of the party that had ranged tsex
for the defense Of the rights of the South. to take
his place with the powerful body that bad just won
a victory under q standard that mepaced the
throw of an institution of his people cOeval with
the existence of tho government. l do NOS
know that history affords parallel for
this sudden aud momentOus change in the
course Of statesman. Themistocles fell under the
displcasure of his countrymen before he sought
refuge with their invaders and though received
with kindness by Artaxerxes. he still remembered
that Athens had given him BIRTH and he refused TO
aid the Persian general with his counsel But Nh
Johnson, from tho time of his adhesion TO the Free
Soil party, devoted himself to their cause with
flaming zeal, and worked with unsurpassed energy
against the people Of his section. 1t is not my wish
to bring Mr.. Johnson's sincerity into question. Hs
| believed that it was all important to maintain
the Union and he gave his heart and his hand to all
the measures adopted by Dir. Lncons Administrs-
t;on IN Iish that obiact