New-York tribune., 1875-03-08
ANDREW JOHNSON'S POLICY.
COUNTRY ABOVE PARTY.

sERvATIvEs TIE BEST CITIZENS IN NEw-oR-
LEANS-A PRECEDENT.
lfRoM A REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIDUNE.I
WASHINGTON. March COZ the % Senators sworn
in yesterday, Mr. Andrew Johnson has been the OBJ
ject OF the most conspicuous attention and curiosity
Arriving late on Thursday his presence in the city
was not generally known until he appeared IN the
Senate Chamber little before noon yesterday. de
| received many expressions of kindness and good
| feeling as he walked modestly down the main aisle
to take anew the oath of Office as Senator from Ten
nessee but after the short session of the Senate had
closed his seat at surrounded by Senators,
Representatives citizens and strangers who greeted
the exPresident with unusual warmth. Some there
were, no doubt. who approached him from curiosity,
but generally the impromptu gathering, which was
very Dense made up of his friends, who were glad
to welcome HIN back to public life. Personally Mr..
johnson has always been popular in Washington,
where he is regarded dignIfied. cOnsiderate, and
| large-hearted gentleman. He bore himself with
great selfcompoSure, and if his mind went back to
1862. when lie voluntarily retired from an unexpred
term in that body, OF if it dwelt later scene,
when he was arraigned in that same chamber
charged with high crimes and misdemcanors, as
President of the United States. he no indica-
ton Of any emotion he might have felt. There were
few. indeed. Of the vast audience who questioned
the mans honesty; and 1 doubt if there were
| many who were not glad to see him back
Physically. Mr. Johnson has undergone less
change during the past eight years than almost any
Senator upon the floor. His hair may be shade
lighter as it is undoubtedly somewhat thinner. but
there is no evidence of badness There are neither
hard lines nor deep wrinkles in his face but his ex-
preston is mixture of sadness and earnest8ess-an
| expression which has been babiiual with him when
in reposc durug the past ten years Ills form Is not
bent all bis senses are acute he is sound and strong
and, take him all in ALL at the age OF G7, he Is re-
markably well-preserved man.
After returning to his hotel yesterday from the
Capitol, there was q constant stream OF callers,
which did not cease until long into the night and
| the cards upon his table piled ono above another
and covering the sop completely were quito aplall
| ing. Among them were those of George Bancroft
Henry Wilson, Reverdy Johnson, and Gen. burnside
| There calls from many army and navy oulcers
| stationed here, with whom Mr. johnson was always
| popular and there were visitors, have no doubt
| upon whom, in the hight of his power. Nj. johnson
had conferred favor. 1t was source OF much
| qualification and pride to him that mo received so
much attention, 1t VAS unexpected Oh his part, Dut
none the less acceptable. His modest quarters on
the second floor OF an unpretending hotel might
have suggested to him. as they did to the visitor,
|
paIson with the gorgeous White House of the pres
ent day. His rooms. two in number, front on the
! avenue. Both are small-one arranged for sleep
! ing apartment the other paror. Both are fur
! nj, he'd with ordinary and inexpensive furniture. a
| visitor to-day remarked to Mr.. Johnson that his
present quar.crs were hardly a3 spacious and hand
| some as those he used to occupy further up the
J street.
| "No." he answered, with tinge Of humor in his
| face "but they are more comfortable. The occu-
pat of the Executive Mansion if he has the good Of
his country mt heart, and devOtes his time faithfully
to his duties aud responsibilities, with an adequate
conception OF both, cannot be what the world calls
| comfortable. lie may have consciousness that ho
is doing what in his light seems for the BEST but lt
| is wearing, straining life. If its duties and re-
! sp0nsibtios may be cast aside for recreation ana
pbyscal enjoyment, so mach the better perhaps for
| the occupant. But assure you" added Mr.. john
son. evincing good deal Of interest, that would
Iatho, be in the United States Senate fonrtoid than
be President, and you know me well enough to be-
heve that speak from the heart. ! regard my tri-
umph in Tennessee ter the hardest tight ever en-
| gagged in with more satisfaction than could regard
| my return to the Presidency; aad you know that
| am not weak enough to suppose that that can ever
| be possible. Ny contest in Tennessee was very
| interesting one, and very significant one. 1t was
| the fighting Of Hoods army over again. There were
many of las generals ana high officers with my par
dons in their pockets. trying TO beat me as they
| tried during the war Nv triumph over such an op-
position, with the aid of The people, was most graf
flying AS for the position itself, do not know
perhaps / may do moro good in the Senate than
| could in the White House"
| His visitor informed him that there was good
deal of curiosity aud interest manifested by the
press and the public to his future course-wether
he would act with the Republicans or the Democrats.
He answered substantially in these words " can
give no pledge as to my future course. cannot say
| that will act with one party or with the other.
We have had too much of party, and propose to
bind myself in advance to no theory of party policy
have never done 80 in the past aud do not intend
to do in the future Ishall support such measures
as appear to my own Judgment best for the country,
caring not whether it is DemocIatic measure or
| whether it is supported by Republicans. We have
| had too much Of PAL ties. They have run tho Gov
crnment quite too long already, and they have well
nigh DESTROYED It. It Is time for the people to take
hold. The shackcs of party have caused incacula-
bic mischief, and until the people throw them oil we
will have no conscientious aud unselfsb government.
Caucuses and conventions are only the tools of man
| aging politicians tho people have nothing to 90
with them. will never place myself in position
| where must do thing because it is party meas
ure or oppose thing at partys dctation. place
the country above party. and hope to live to see
the time when the people will cast off the yokes as
they did in 1923 when they elected Andrew Jackson.
The breaking up Of the Congressional caucus Tor the
nomination Of Presidential candidates began IN
1924 when Gen. Jackson was the peoples Candidate
| The conventions candidate was beaten Dut the
election went to the House and Gen. Jackson was
| beaten also by the choice of Mr.. Adams. At the