New-York tribune., 1877-03-08

views with patriotic and ccar-headed mcn whose
character and position cntitle them to be heard.
SKETCH OF DAVID NJ. KEY.
Readers of THE TRIBUNE have already been
made acquainted with the leading incidents In the n'es
of the Cabinet officers Yesterdays paper ard Mon
days contained sketches OF all Of them. Mr.. Key s
comparatively an unknown man in tho North and, as
lie Southern Democrat and appointed to the po-
stOn OF PostmnserGeneral In frheranco OF PRESIDENT
Hayes policy toward the South, more extended out
line OF his hfo will be interesting He is native of
Tennessee; born in Greene Countrywide county
Andrew johnson took up his residence after leav-
ing North Carolina and where he lived for over forty
years. friendship sprang up between these men IN
early life. They both voted together in politics in East
Tennessee but the divided them in sentiments ana
interests When Mr. johnson was Prcaident he par
doned his Confederate friend, and when Senator John
son died Col Key appointed to Ill the vacancy thus
caused in the United States Senate The life OF the one
man better known TO his countryn en- than the
others, but for personal integrity and CONSCIENTIOUS
work ii woud to be unjust TO make distinction
Mr. Key was born on Jan. %, 1927 his father being
minister of the gospel, who brought up his son in the
fear OF God Two after his birth the family re-
moved to Monroe County, and David was early put 10
work farm. Tho father was poor anc he remained
at the plow until he was 81 He had enjoyed few priv
icges for acquiring education but at tIat age re-
solved to study law after completing hs preliminary ed
rcation Six years Of study found him graduate OF
Hiwassce College, in Monroe County. He then taught
school and spare hours read BacksOnes Common
taries and Chitty's Pleadings. lie was admitted TO
practice and in years took front rank among the
lawyers of East Tennessee Andrew Johnson l6 years
ls senior, was then III Congress. Key had been his
in State politics, though he never took
active part in them. He removed 70 Chattanooga Ill
1885, the year Mr. johnson was first chosen Governor ot
the state. His whole time was given to his business,
ainnd nd N IN
esteem Of the be st people. He has always been Demo
crat Mr. johnson was also until late IN 1850.
Then the two friends divided the issues OF the war
They had both supported Brcckinrdge for President;
but; when the secession purposes of that faction became
apparent Mr.. johnson took positive ground asaiost
them and in nearly every city of Tennessee burned
iii cSy The lte by act OF Legislature had seeded
Mr. Key among those who were opposed to IT, ont
Welded to the action OF the constituted authorities and
joned the Southern arLy lieutcnant-coonel OF the
43d Tennessee Infantry and served throughout the war
Tho fall Of the Confedcracy found him among the pine
trees Of North Carolina without money separated from
his family, and unknowng what the policy Of the Gov
crnmcnt would be-wLctlcr lie to be tried and exc
ctcd for treason whether lie could practice what itc
law might be left to the state Of Tennessee He has de-
sclbcd hs depression in those days as great beyond
measure. Like many exConfederate officer, he felt
that but for his family he could have wished himself
among the dead. His old friend Andrew Johnson
then President of the United states The nation was
listening his ringing utterances about hanging traitors
and making treason odious These words had no well
sound in the ears OF Col Key, wandcrer In the
woods of Carolina. But he remembered the friendship
which five years OF had Obscured and found new
hope in the thought that it wholly extinguisbcd.
SO ne wrote Andrew Johnson letter. not In crtenuati0l
of his "trcason' but depicting his misery with trt
ful pen and seeking advice aud instruction Especially
did he wish know IL he to be hanged for his
treason and, il when; and II the ceremony was to
take place in the North Carolina pine woods No pardon
solicited merely the question asked: What shall
dol Tie military post on is return trip from Washington
brought IA reply; 1t contained Tree pardon
for Col Key. He has said that his joy
at the receipt of II unhOundcd. HOmeward Ire went
and lis family. He took down his books, dusty with
five years dlsuse ard pracced law oTce more. The
war a thing of the past to him. One who knows HIM
well has said the political principles OF bis life may he
embodied in the following words We staked all and
lost all the controversy mas been settled by the highest
tribunal known 70 man; there is but Government
and ag and that rs our Government ana our iag
Business one day called him to Wasiulton thtEer ne
went with his wife. President Johnson beard lie was
there and him and Mrs Key invitation 10 dine ct
the White House. They both received with erca;
cordiaty and Andrew johnson and Col. Key remained
warm friends ever aftcrwaTd. Northern immigrant
into Tennessee now compose cne-h.f OF the wAitc
population of Chattanooga. With them Col. Key eli
ioys marked confidence and by them IL much
admired. Although Democrat throughout his HE,
many Northern publicaus, when he has been a cand
dateor oftce have voted Tor him. ts the as'Onsh
inent OF native Republicans. rhis the in 1870
and in 1872, when he ran for Chancellor and for Con
gress. Col Key is not politician nor AN ofbCe-soeke:
"He far from it," said one who knows him, as any
man ever knew" He was Presidential cector Ia
1856 but with that exception. held office until
elected Chancellor. He has believed in lawyer
politicians man, he claims should be the other.
and not try to be both In 1869 Tennessee wanted
new Constitution He urged mem her of tie
convention it, but persistent asking neces
sary get his to act. In that enon !e
suffrage, schools, and testi-
mOny; Republicans did 10 He does not believe
the cgroes will ever race accomplish much ia tie
world. but is willing that ;hcy should have oppor-
tunlty u do the best they
When he for Congress IN 1872 he defeated 10
the aston OF every He had no. des red The
nomination. and felt his defeat the keenly. The
district was Democratic by 1000 majority ordinary
times but that year the tennessee Democracy
divided ia sander In voting places oycrw helm
iugy Democratic the polls not open ali. Andrew
johnson WIS running for CJngressInan-atIgrge, aud
thus new e!c icnis d! discord entered the party. Mr.
Jnison afteTward went to the senate AMI died there
Mr. Key, wnO stin Chancellor WAS appointed by
GOV Porter to I the vacancy until new election could
br held In the late election by the Legislature he
cevrd the solid support OF every mem5cr from East
OF inc received the votes OF AS. II beng
I,.publican- ti,. 10 Democrats more pronounced
! Deunciat was elected. Ihe hashrWe American,
| Uruiucrafic ia er, said Of him yesterday
Judge Key never been any thing but Democrat.
AS a uian OF ability and thor,iBh honesty ts appoint
DeDt H. Il good indcaiO.i ana one wiich VIII Dc hkeiy
to mike extreuiisis howl wilie every man who seeks
the prosperity Of country must rejoice al this indear
| ton iar as u goes.