Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-06-06

waged for conquest and subjugation, to destroy
existing institutions, but to restore the authority OF
the government. The position OF military governor
was es anomalous and diStasteful to him as II was
Irritating and vexatlous to the people and was as
sumed at the sacrifice OF the better feelings of his
nature, and with the hope that its functions might
abbTeviate and ameiOrate the condition of the State
to which he owed so much. The pr0OnGatiOn or the
struggle diSpelled this hope, and much OF the eXaS
peratiOn that occurred should be mainly ascribed to
the excitement and mutual passion that prevailed.
The hrmness and vgor of his administrator. how
ever was powerful adjunct to military operations
In 1854, at the second candidacy of Mr.. Lincoln,
Mr.. Johnson was Famed for Vice President, WIS
elected In connection TO that office. The pTocama-
ton emancfpdttng the slaves had been Issued as a
war measure. and the continuance of the contest,
then at its ercest had virtually efecuated it. For
the success OF the Federal arms this IVES the goOmt-
est period OF the struggle, and In the north large
and growing party were clamOrous for peace. The
doubtful, and TO secure the warm support of the
portion of the Democratic party supporting the gov
lican, and nominated MeSsrs. Lincoln and johnson
as the Union National candidates. AS such, and
his letter to the committee accepting the nOmina-
tion clearly sets forth. The fact that he DEM
Ocrat lending his great influence to the government
in its dire strait, was the motive for his selection;
and ever did he, in faith or in form, detach himself
fact calculating subsequent history. and indicating
MIN from the charge that he deserted the party
which elevated him to the Presidency. Within IA
few weeks after his accession to the second Office of
she government the armed resistance to its authority
surrendered, and almost simultaneously came the
tragic death sir. Lincoln, and he assembled to the
Chief Magistracy. AS he took the oath prescribed,
march of events, was dumb with horror at the ap-
palling crime, and never die ruler assume the reinS
of power unIr responsibility more deieate ana ire
President, will engage the profound attention
of him who snail write its truthful history, as phil
OsophY teaching by example The thrOeS of a four
years civil war, waged with gantic numbers and
fury had dsj0Inted the constitutional fabric of au
thOrity, and demoraliZed alike the victors and the
vanqulshed. SObriety and reason had deserted. and
If to the catastrophe, act filter for the
ages of the BoTgias than the century which saw it,
lad come to hOrrlfy and madden Here was all OF
opportunity for guilty ambition, invested with power
to engulf the remnant of liberty in the vortex of
aTchy, and to emerge itself despot In the escape
of this danger two causes of escape may be consid
cred. One will be found in the character OF the
American people impressed by their institutions
Though liable as others, TO become the temporary
sport of passion, the individual Of responsible
Ry acquired from habitual participation in the af-
1zTs OF government tends to restore them to sober
rass and the recovery of their equilibrium This
was then exhibited. The other, and not the least
Was i'll the personality of the President. In that
date and majestic patriotism. No thought of self
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT to the injury of his country warped
his ude ment or betrayed his integrity To calm the
tumult, TO confidence, to re-establsh, in
form ard in spirit, the free institutions he much
.ory and to these tasks he addressed himself with
wisdom and courage, possessed by few in circum-
Stances SO perplexfng He Invited continuance in
service of cabinet of his predecessor and as the
sequel proved, judicously decided not to convene
congress in extraordinary session: In yindioation
the conspirators In Mr. LIncoln's murder, for one
feature OF which he has received much sentimental
fani ehsnz B BsEffd me thy @ ssGasrA 6f
few months all military trade restrictions with the
region lately at strife with the government were
tons, proclaimed. simultaneously the work of
establishing provisional civil governments in the
lateS insurgent States, with the view of restoring
their autonomy and just relations to the United
States government, was commenced. and with due
legitimate executive proceedings. just prior to the
assembling OF congress he dispatched the general of
flaD ffiRIl al frrrf nr thn nf
serving the temper of the people in those States and
reporting the result OF this reorganization on the
congress shortly after the delivery of his first mes
sage to that body and its facts sustained the policy
the manifold important events of the nine preceding
months, lucid d1squisiton upon the theory of the
pies ard measures he had pursued. 1t is replete
with st craftsmanship, and the archives contain 70
his mperious temper fretted by the cution he
had undergone, were not realized Elevation had
but steadied his faculties and the lenency and mag
nanimity expected OF the noble Lincoln, blended
with Just security for Federal interests and reStO
VOTED were the sentisI ehaFaetsriscs of his poll
cyI =Bdt with the congress then met, and the one
suceeeding-which find a fit parallel in the worst
features with the long parliament of England-ths
wise and correct craftsmanship met stern aud tao
extraordinary committee of fifteen, whose perverse
counSels dictated vindictive and vituperative hos
tilty to the President. arrested the peaceful work of
reorganization, and under the name of reconstruc-
tioH inspired the dominant majority of congress to
series or measures whose DdIlofu effects have
scarcely ceased Mr.. johnson was charged with the
betrayal of the Republican parry, and the republic
truculent majority. He had done neither To the
former he had not protested allegiance, either by
act OF utterance OF latter bis faithful friendship
was almost the sole butress of protection This led
to long and acrimonious contest between the Presi
dent and congress, to which his previous struggles
were puny In comparison. He was deeply indignant,
and to a arge assemblage before the Executive Man
sion he made a counter pronunciation. Against the
unconstitutional reckless schemes of that body the
heroic element of his character was arrayed and the
rock of Gibraltar was not more sure and firm-set
than tns man. The veto power ne had formerly
defended, claiming its derivation from tribunal
negative OF the people when Rome was a republic,
he nov welded In the name OF the people, and in
defense of their constitutional liberties. IL
stricken down successfully in the instances of the
civil rights BILL the freedmen'S bureau bill, the bill
subOrtfnatDg States to military district government
and the tenure of-offfce bill He sustained his ac
toa III series or messages which illuminated the
subjects OF which they treat at once cogent and
elusive tn reason but not TO sheer force OF MAORI
and upon the basis OF opinions from his attorney
H. sought to mitigate tee mtschiefs of the mill
tary satrpes set UP in the southern States, and to
remove from the cabinet contumacious member
Infatuated now at his intrepid rmness, the congress
SIGNAL oligarehy resolved to fmpeach him on charges
dignified as high crimes and misdemeanors. and
the nation Witnessed the spectacle of lis President
standing at the bar of the senate, batel by the
IniniOns Of a malignant craftsmanship, and defend
ing his own Integrity, ana that of his Office against
the encroachnents of faction. No trial in history
exceeds this in interest, and had the result been
different, none ever carried consequences of more
ordeal terrific, but his equanimity unmoved.
Had he been guilty his placid courage would have
nal, the convicting majority could not be obtained
aud he emerged trlumphantly-the sober sentiment
of the country condemning his accusers. TIE Pc
Rod of his Presidency was tempestuous. but it was
illustrated with patriotic wisdom, With brilliant ad
ministrative vigor and with honesty. Though en-
cOuntering more formidable obstacles than any
predecessor he laid down his great trust unim-
sured. On the fourth of March. 1889 he departed
from the capital for his home in Tennessee, jour
neying amid ovatiOns and popular approval. At
meetings
State he testified of his stewardship. He was then
bors had not dlmmed his eye unnerVed his
strength his strong nature satisfied with the
score he had left with his fercs antagonists still on
senate, 10 oppose on that field the hurfUl measures
he had SO st utly fought in one still higher. But
other counsels prevailed, and he not grati-
fed. The mists of prejudice yet fingered
in the atmospnefe IA few years later he
congress representative from the State at large,
but unGer circumstances which again defeated him.
finally the most sincere qualification that his
ambition could enjoy. He felt his election to the
State had ever passed against him, and it was
prOu day, when, amid the acclamatiOns of the
seal in his hand. Nor did the memories OF that
chamber once mis- court of Judgment render less
sweet the sense OF his Just triumph The senate was
question OF Louisiana affair5a condition ind. ced
by the legislation he had so sternly cOmbated. 1t
had then its worst phase,anarehy produced by the
IaweSs domination of its legislature by the Federal
military. Against this he spoke with his character
istic power. 1t was his only and last effort, for
though no sign was given, his fate was impending
In the summer of lS75 he was engaged at home in
the arrangement of his vOIumInOus papers, and
there received earnest imitation to enter the
pending political campaign In Ohio, which was of
importance. This was accepted but during
the work of preparation the last messenger came.
Death found him preparing for another battle. 1t
was not to be, and after an illness of few hours
he expired in the presence Of his family in
the sixty-seventh year of his age, As the an
nounce ment flashed over the land, carrying re-
greet to minds considerable of the unsettled political
condition, 1t carried also the thought-ne SHOULD
have died hereafter" Mr.. johnson was not the
creature of circumstances, otherwise this to-
day had lot been He carved his own career mainly
without adyenttious favor. Perhaps some elements
in his character caused the struggle of his life
To be the more severe A degree of reserve, tnged
with distrust, made him less the object of warm es
TEEN and attachment than that OF confidence and
admiration inspired by the intrinsic elevation OF his
nature. He WAS endowed with capacious and reso-
lutte faculties which brOoked no obstacle, and made
him superior to clIqucS and conventions. His only
external aid was the liberal institutions Of govern
ment under which he lived, and of these he felt
hnselI TO be foster SON and for them he cherished
an affection which would have made his life, If
needed, a sacrifice. representative democracy Of
Tered theaier and by his own exertions he reared
the intellectual and moral structure which his
trymen are proud TO honor. There is no frivolous