Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-01-15
EulOgiStsc Sarcasm.

In the Gazette's Washington letter, few
DAYS ago, brief mention was made of a remark
allie eulogy, delivered by MIR. Waddell, of
North Carolina, upon the late ex-President
Andrew johnson. which we, to-day, give in
full, believing that it will be received with
great interest, and its hits fully appreciated:
hlr. Waddell. | have been struck since
these proceedings commenced with the pecu-
liar circumstances Of this occasion. There is t.
a map who believes 10 special provldences food
for reflection 10 the fact that just as we have
reached the climacterc OF a debate upon the
question whether the American people shall
live together as brothers, whether there shall
be a Government OF love or hate, we are sud-
denly arrested by the remembrance that there
is time appointed for all men once to die.
MIR. Speaker, when that supreme hour comes
for you aud me aud lor each of US, know moth
ing will give us more consolation than the mem
ory of deeds of charity aud good will.
The very remarkable mau whose death has
lust been formally announced to this House
was, like many other men who obtained eml-
nence 10 other States, native aud, uuu' his
early manhood, resident OF North Carolina.
1t is therefore meet, sir, that IN this hour
dedicated to his memory the voice OF that
State should be heard, and the duty OF utter
ing it has been assigned to me.
My personal acquaintance with Mr.. johnson
was very limited aud merely formal. | will
not therefore undertake to portray his charac.
ter as private citizen, nor shall attempt any
sketch Of his public life and bis varied and dis
tipguisbed public services. because that has
been already done by my friend who has just
taken his seat, and is familiar to all more or
less.
But he exhibited throughout bis public Ca
reersome qualities upon which brief comment
may Justly be made, and perhaps, not uupro6t
ably at this time. His education, socially and
poliically, differed 10 almost eVeryrespect from
my owu. Iudeed might say they were al
most autipodal, and aever until his memorable
struggle, whom President for the preservation
of constitutional liberty, as | believe, had any
norton of his career attracted my sympathy.
But aside from the characteristics which he
developed 10 that struggle he exhibited certain
virtues as a public man which must always
command respect and admiration-vlrtues
which, if they are not rare nowadays, are Ger
taiply not the commonest attributes OF those
who occupy distinguished station.
Nlr. Johnson was an honest maD, truthful
man, and incorruptible. He obstinately ad-
hered to the opinion which ought to be, but is
not, universally accepted and acted upon, that
personal integrity aud political dishonesty are
absolutely irreconcllable in the same person.
10 all the bitter contests through which be
passed, land his career 10 this respect is almost
without parallel his worst enemy, so far as
| know, never attempted TO prove, it be ever
chorced, that Andrew johnson was a corrupt
man.
Whatever his faults, or vices if you please
and. | presume, like all other men, he had his
iu. share of them-he unquestIouably had ln-
,euse convictions, TO which he cung with fear.
less devotion aud for which he battled With
manly courage. Among these, sir, none were
more conspicuous than his faith IN the doc
tripes of the fathers touching the limitations of
the Constitution and his firm belief in the
maxim that purity Of administration is essen
,ia to the life of free Government.
II his almost tanatical love OF the Union
caused him at times to assent to the use OF ar
btrary power, be still always proclaimed the
supremacy of the Constitution. If corruption
10 administration occurred during bis presl-
dency, 40 one ever accused him OF being even
remotely connected with it. lie at least un-
derstood the principles and sympathlzed with
the spirit of republican institutions. lie did
net think that personal comfort and pecuniary
benefit were the chief ends to be aimed at IN
seeking public Offices. He did not accept them
at the hands of his countIymen as debt due
to him and did not administer them, as small
men always do, in accordance with his personal
feelings and interests. He considered himself
the servant of the people, bound by his oath
10 De careful and diligent in looking out, not
tor bis own, but for their interests. He never
was one of those who were called, aud aptly
called 10 the civil service commission report,
"the baDdi,t uf politics and the pawn brokers
OF patronage.
He may not have been broad minded states
man, in the ordinary aceeptatlon OF that term,
but it is to be remembered that in his youth
there was no opportunity afforded him for
broad culture and that he did not even have
patrou to secure for him education at the
public expense. He certainly was not a
classical scholar. 1t would seem that he
did not even know what nepos meant aud
was utterly insensiblc to the charm that lies
hidden behind the words dona fereateS
But in practical ability, in power as deOater,
whether before popular assemblies or eglsla
tive assemblies and In extensive information
in the domain of politics, be was by no means
deicicut. His long and active public service iu
association with some of the wlsest and and
abest statesmen of this land, improved, en-
larged, and liberalizcd his naturally powerful
Intellect to degree which may perhaps justify
his assignment to place among the ablcst OF
our Chief Magistrates, and certainly to one
very far above some of them.
After his death some pious Investigator, |
believe, claimed to have discovered that he Was
an iu6de. | have very good evidence to di-
prove that but while personally | know not
how that may have been, do know that while
he was alive aud in Office he was too good a
patriot to seek to excite religious persecution
against any portion of his fellow: citizens If
De bad religious views of any kind, it is safe to
say that they were bis own, and were arrived at
alter mature deliberatlon and reflection; but
whatever they were, sir, be never sought tc
make political capital out of them.
Mr. Speaker, Andrew Johuson has gone to
his long rest, as sooner or later each aud all oi
Us must go. After long and laborlous career,
begun in poverty, ignorance, and friendess,
ness, but crowned throughout it's course with
earthly honors, he now conironts the mysterie: