The New York herald., 1876-02-11

Commanding aud effective. Away5endeavorng TO bo
on the SIDE OF the people, Mr.. J0hnson threw himself
vita VITA sraor INTO the controversies Of the
day, and Invariably commanded the respect
and admiration Of his peers by the hon
est purpose he displayed and the anxious
effort made 20 secure the greast good for the greatest
number. Although MF. Johnson was always consld-
cred TO be identified with the democratic party ho
seldom hestatcd TO throw OF the thra OF psrty ties
when his conscience forced his c0nvctons heother
way Therefore, II was not surprising that he was
frequently found In the senate speazing and
forward by the democratic leaders This
line OF conduct rendered him dstasteful 10 thoscs
who believed m party rule befere political rights and
though his democratic colleagues we're only too clad In
find hm ready 10 assist them they did NOT Mace mn CHI
reliance On hin when the exgcnces Of the party de-
manded action that they kne" he would With dis
favor As a consequence Mr Johnson reputatlon ex
tended aud lofty as Il was was not gained much by
his political career a. by his great legal alenB and the
purity Of his personal character.
While in the Senate he frequently dropped the robe
Of Senator and assumed the character OF an advocate
II was no marvel for him TO walk out Of the senate
Ohamber alter sharp debate on some leading national
question, and crossing the corridor Of The Capitol
or te united states supreme Court ana there enter
on we argument OF an intricate case, ia which tho
lesal echnicaNtes were both intricate and elaborate
vn one OF these occasions Mr. Johnston actually ieft
@ sno senate Cnam0er during the progress Of tue
constitutional amendments; ana after arguing his
snA.s o case before the supreme Court he returned
10 the Chamber and renewed the discussion OF the
amendments with more vim and earnestness vhan had
oeeh alspayed during his temporary absence. This
reuaTAaple euoft Oy man at the age Of three
and ten showed the strength of his Intellect ana the
amazing power he possessed OF concentrating his
mind on whatever subject came before him.
His career IN the Senate was a notable one and the
records OF that body during terms of office show
that he always took earnest and active n,r, . tho
current debates Many Of his speeches were of much
Importance in shaping the destiny the nation These
speeches took wide range In 1853 he spoke ON
emancipation and slavery and in the following yea he
made a lengthy and argumentatve addrcss
the proposed constitutional Amendments
TO prohibit slavery. In 1866 he addrested
the Senate in opposition to the provisional governments
for the Southern States and another the exclusion
of Southern representatives to Congress. In all Of
these notable efforts Mr.. Johnson followed hts usual
course and, while aiding his own side Of the senate
presented ut the time a cogent line of argument
that did much TO set the measures their true light and
enable the country 10 gain all that good In them
Since Mr.. Johnson's return home he took active
part IN tho affairs OF his country. When the Ku Klux
trials began in the South be down defend
the accused but the recital OF their practices horr
1ed him that his previous record he threw up
the defence and declared that such
the question of Casarsm his utterauces were clear
decisive against the idea Of third term in the Pres
dency. At the time of the Virginius massacre at
Santiago dc Cuba Mr. JohnsOn's patriotism
aroused, and he did not fail TO enter his protest
against Burries barbarty in letter ful
OF spirit and manly feeling In 1874, he
threw himself with earnestness into the dispute
tho dcplorable condition OF louisiana and the contru-
versy between him and Mr. OConor formed OF the
most important phases Of the discussion that ensued ut
that time
AS a man Mr.. Johnson warmly loved by all who
came In close aud intimate contact with HIM. His
private life was pure aud happy, and his DEATH at his
advanced age, viii be mourned by many who only knew
HIM by his record and his public utterances.