Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-08-06

A BRIEF SKETCH OF MS LIFE.

took place last Saturday, from stroke OF
paralysis.
Mr.. johnson was born in Raleigh, N. c.,
Dec 20, 1908. When he was four years of
age he lost his father, who died from the
effects OF exertion 10 save a friend from
drowning. At the age Of 10 he was appren-
ticed to a tailor in his native city, with
whom he served seven years. He never
attended school day in his life. The sto-
ry, however, is told of his ambition to
learn being fired by bis hearing collec-
ton of the speeches of British statesmen
read aloud in his workshop; and we know
from his traits subsequently developed
with what tenacity and sure success lie
must have applied himself 10 the task.
Having completed his apprenticeship in
the autumn of 1924, he went TO Laurens
Court House, S. c., where he worked as
journeyman for nearly two years. Amor
returning to Raleigh and staying there
short time, he set out TO seek his fortune in
the West, carrying with him his mother,
who was dependent upon him for support.
He stopped at Greenville, Tenn, and COM
menced as iourneyman. He remained
tnCi6 dbOhb L. hlOhAhSf hioAiiNNf "hN "A'N'
one more change settled down at Green
Vile, which was always aflerward lis resi-
dence.
Up to that Time reading had been his on
ly intellectual accomplishment, but under
the instruction of his wife lie soon added
writing and ciphering. The first office
which he ever he'd was that of Alderman
of the village to which he was elected in
1928. He was reelected TO the same POSI-
ton in 1929, and again in $780, In that
year he was chosen Mayor, which position
he held for three years. In 1885 he was
elected TO the Legislature. In 1910 he
served as Presidential ell Hector for the State
at large on the Democratic ticket. He can
vassed a large portion of the Slate, meet
ing upon the stump several of the leading
Wing orators. In 1871 he was elected to
the State senate. In 1913 he was elected TO
Congress, where by successive elections he
served until 1858. In the latter year, and
also in 1856, he was elected Governor of
Tennessee. In 1857 he was elected to the
Senate of the United States. When the re-
bellion came on three years later, preceded
by the Withdrawal of the Southern Sena-
tors, Andrew johnson, TO his lasting credit,
stood firm and hurled his anathemas a. the
rebel consplrators. On March 4, 1862, hay
ing been nominated by President Lincoln,
he was confirmed by the Senate of the
United States Military Governor of Ten
| nessee, with the rank of Brigadier General,
with all the powers, duties and functions
pertaining to that Office, during the pleas
ure OF the President, or until the loyal in
ha bitants of the State should organize a
civil government in accordance with the
Constitution of the United States. His
designation for the position was considered
| by everybody as eminently proper, both
in view of his apparent fitness for the Of
flee and of his great popularity among the
| loyal people, besides his devotion TO his
own State. His services were so generally
acceptable that the Republican National
| Convention of 1864, moved by a desire 10
strengthen the Union sentiment Of the
South, nominated him for Vice President
on the ticket with Mr.. Lincoln.
The death of the latter in 1865 promoted
Mr.. johnson into sphere which made
| him the central figure in the stormy polit-
ical contests of the next three years. The
passions excited during that eventful peri
cd have not yet subsidized, while all its
4 events and incidents are yet fresh in the
| public mind. Plainly it would be impos-
sble at this time 10 write impartially the
history of Andrew johnson as President
Of the United States, nor standing, as II
were over his grave, would it be seemly tc
undertake the task. Posterty will do him
as well as his contemporaries, exact jus
tice. Suffice it to say that he exhibited in
his administration an energy, tenacity, q
disregard of public opinion, which, under
happier circumstances, would have given
him prominent place on the roll of Amer
lean politicians.
Alter the close of his Presidential term
in 1869 Mr.. johnson returned to his homo
in East Tennessee, and lived in retirement
until 1874, when he entered into vigorous
contest for the United States Senate. He
claimed still TO be Democrat, but not of q
sectional or ultra type. His old populari-
ty seemed to be retained among a large
part of the people of Tennessee, and he
was chosen by the Legislature. He took
|
March 4, 1875; and great deal of interest
was soon excited by intimalions that hi
might make a speech on the state of the
Union. But the result showed, when hC
came to take the floor, that although he hac
grown somewhat more moderate in his
prejudices and expressions, he by nj
means rose to that degree of craftsmanship
which his friends had confidently claimed
for him.
Andrew Johnson, when he is considered
in connection with his circumstances, and
with the candor which should mark all
judgm ents of the past, must ever be con-
sidered remarkable illustration of The de-
vsloping and stimulating influences of oul
institutions, and his life contains enough
of Indictment, suggestion and admonition
10 make it one of the most instructive that
has closed formany year.-BOSton JoaTH
al.
| PARTICULARS OF HIS DEATH.