Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1875-09-02
JOHNSON AND KEY.
"reminiscences ofthe Relation
Between the Deceased Sena
tor and his Successor

'0""' sSeO s0VVcueu, uuu served through
the war until the bloody chapter had q
bloody end. The close of the war found
him in the pine woods of North Carolina
with no money but little Confederate, aud
but little Of that, and without knowledge
o: whether he was to bo hung or could
practice law. lie describes his depres>
sion during those days as extreme. He
could form no idea us 70 the future. He
was separated from his family. lie did
not know that ho could ever return to
East Tennessee. As to practicing law
there was no confusion. The policy OF
the Government was not defined; the late
Southern soldiers lad no status; the
officers did not know but what they were
to be tried for treason and landed on the
shore in light marching order. Such
was the gloom and uncertainty surrounds
Ing them that many an ex-Cunfederatc
has told me that we're it not for his fami.
ly. he fairly euvied those who rcposcd in
the everlasting sleep.
Andrew johnson was then President
and his historic utterances about making
treason odious aud hanging traitors were
not reassuring to Col. Key. lie had
known Mr.. johnson, III happier days, when
they both pulled in the same party har.
ness in East Tennessee. lie had always sup,
ported him-thst is, until the war east
them apart as wide as the poles. Up to
that event they had been fast friends.
Thinking the matter over in the
North Caroliuia woods, where he found
himself wien tue wreck of the Confeder.
acy went to pieces, he resolved to write
his friends Of other days letter, and ask
if he was to be hung, and, if so, at what
time, and If the ceremony was to take
place in North Carolina. He depicted
bis miserable situation truthfully, keep
'ng nothing back, and asking for advice
and information. The President received
the letter. We may suppose that hit
heart was touched for his friend Of other
days, and that the bitterness cngendsred
by tn, war was even then beginning rap>
idly to disappear. sometimes think
that letters like this. from his old friends
started in the South, had much to do
with his sudden change ofpolicy towards
that section in 1865. In his letter to the
President Colonel. Key, did not ask for
a pardon. lie merely inquired for ad.
vice and information. But by return
military mail ere came free pardon
for D. NJ. Key, from Andrew johnson
President of the United States.
Col. Key, says be was never before SC
glad to set anything. 1t was unexpected
and all the more welcome tor that. He
now felt that he belonged to his family
to whom he is very devoted, and that he
could 60 to work and make them living
without Government hindrance. That
was then the height of his ambition.
He fully accepted the situation, and the
line Of bis argument from that day Ia
this can be embodied in few words
namely: ave staked all and lost all
controversy has been settled by the high,
est tribunal known to man; there q,
but one Government and one flag, and
that is our Government and our fag.'
lie returned to Chattanooga and com.
menced the practice of law without q
thought above providing for his family.
Shortly afterward he visited Washington
on business, taking bis wife. lie took
lodgings in quarters compatible with bis
purse, which was not at that time in Q
very unlimited" condition. by some
means the President found him out, and
sent an invitation to Mr.. and Mrs. Key
to dine at the White House. Col. Key
was triae surprised at this, cons derinl
that, three years before either party
would have been glad to have hung tht
other. There was largely more hanging
talked about than was ever done howev
er. The lady Of the house where Col
Key, and wife were stopping was amazed
not to say inflicted" to sea her guest
{ 60 to dine at the White House. In al
her experience in the boarding hous,
business the like Of this never befor,
occurred. Johnsun received his ol,
friends most cordially, and to the day oI
his death was an admirer Of Col. Key
Could he have appointed his own sue
cessor, the charge might have fallen wher,
it did.
I 81 hara honoht my fret In sl ~ MA