The Portland daily press., 1885-03-21
TEIcAL LEGISLATION.
Worcester Gazette.
Andrew johnson.
The Character and Career of tIse Tennes
see Statesman.
l,7ron, Mr. pIa;ne,s second voluma

The cbaraeter and career of Mr. johnson
were anomalous and in many respects con-
Trajectory. By birth he belonged to that
class 10 the South known as the ''poor
wnites," class scarcely less despised by the
slave-holding atstocrscy then were the hui
man chattels themselves. Born in North
Carolina and bred to the trade OF a tailor be |
reached his 18th year before he was taught
even to read La his 18Th gear he migrated
to Tennessee, and established himself III that
rich upland region ON the eastern border of
the State, where by altitude the same agri-
cultural conditions ate developed that
characterize he land which lies several de-
grees farther north. 1t was especially adapt
ed to the cereals, the grasses and the fruits
of southern Pennsylvania and Ohio. East |
Tennessee could not employ slave labor with |
the profit which it brought 10 the rich cot
ton fields of the neighboring lowlauds, and |
the result was that The population contained |
a large majority Of whites. Owing much TO |
wise marriage, pursuing his trade with |
skill and industry johnson gained steadily |
in knowledge and influence. Ambitious,
quick to learn, honest, necessarily frugal, be
speedily became recognized leader of thu
class to which he belonged Before he had
attained his majority he was chosen to an
important municipal Office, and at p he was
elected mayor Of his town. Henceforwald
his promotion was rapid.
At27 he was sent to the Legislature OF his
State, and in 1910 when he was in his SD
year, he was nominated for the Office of
presidential elector, and canvassed the State
in the Interest of Mr.. Van Buren. Tnree
years later he was chosen representative 10
Congress, where he served ten years. He
was Then nominated for governor, and IN
the elections of 1858 and 1855 defeated sue
cessively two of the most popular Wings IN
Tennessee, Gustavus A, Henry and Meredith
P. Gentry.
In 1857 he was promoted 10 the Senate of
the United States, where he was serving at
the outbreak OF the civil war. OF the twenty
tie ee5l6ftedeIaeu eelfftdd that
ssin.a - ~, sue only one who bonoraby v,ain-
| tbeanIn ais 80, oatn 70 support the CoDetitntion
s4,., =. one VINO diQ not Jend aid ~. j
NAMED lu his seat in The Senate, loyal 10 the
eoseInmehs' aud resigned year after the
outbreak OF The way, in Marce, 1862. upon
Mr.. Lincoln's urgent request that he should
aceept Che lmport ant pos of military goy-rD-
or VI tennessee. His administration of that
once and bis flrm discharge of every dutv
unuer circumstances OF great exgency, aud
oItenllmes of great peril, gave to him an ex-
eeplonai popularity IN all the loyal States,
ana leu 10 MS selection for the vice-pres-
dency IN 1864. The national calamity had
now suddenly brought him to larger field
Oh duty aud deyolved upon him the weight
esl responsibility.
IL was known to few persons that when
Mr.. johnson arrived from Fortress Monroe
on the morning Of A pril 10 and tonud the
national capital 10 blaze OF patriotic ex-
cliement over the surrender of Lees army
the cay before at Appomatox, he hastened to
tue w hite House and addressed to the un-i
willing ears of Mr. Lincoln an earnest nro /
test against the indulgent terms conceded b |
General Grant. Mr.. johnson believed tlat |
General Lee should net have been permited
10 surrender his sword as soldier of hQlor,
Dut that General Grant should have rec-lged
lne entlre command as prisoners of war, and |
should have held Lee ia confinemen, until
ne could receive Instructions from he ad-
mlnlstratlon at Washington. Tbe spirit
mhlch these views indicated was understood
by those who best knew Mr. John,on To be
contained IL not expressed in his teclatation
OF his first address: "As an indication of any
pohey which may be pursued by me in the
conduct OF the government lave 10 say |
that tnat must be lett FOR development as the
administration progresses. The message or
Inc declaration must be made by the acts as
tney transpire. The only sssurance l can
now give OF the futnle is bv reference to the |
past" The effect produceduoon the public
oy ms speech, which nigh be regarded as
an inaugural address, was not happy, be-
sides It's evasive character respecting Mr..
Lncolo. The entire absence OF eulogy of
me slaln president was remarked There
Was no mention of hls name or of his charac-
ter or OF bis office. The only alIusion in auy
way "hateveI to Mr.. Lincoln was Mr.. John
sons declaration that he was ''almost over
whelmed by The announcement of The sad
event which has so recently occurred"
While he found no time to praise one whose
praise was on every tongue, he made ample
reference TO himself and bis own past his
Tory. Though speaking not more than five
minutes IL was noticed that .sIn aud "Myo
and "Mo'' were mentioned at least score Of
times.
boundless egoiism was inferred from
such remarks as these: my past public life,
winch has been long and ab0rjous, has been
founded. as l in good conscience believe,
upon great principle of right which lies at
The basis of all things. 1 must be permitted
10 say, ii understand the feelings of nv
own heart, have long labored to ameliorate
aud alleviate the condition Of the great mass
oi the American people. Toll aud honest
advocacy of the great principles of zee gov
have been my lot The duties have
oaen mlne, the consequences GoPs"
Senator John p. Hale of New Hampshire,
who was present oH the occasion, sad, with
eh aracterlssic wit, that ''Jobnson seemed |
"ilhng to share The glory OF his achievements
with his creator.' but utterly forgot that
Mr.. Lincoln had any share of credit in the
suppression OF The rebellion. The inflexble
'ternness Of Mr.. Johnson's tone and The fre-
luent repetition of his intention upon the
eading traitors began to create apprehen-
'lon lu the North. 1t was feared that the
country might be called upon to witness,
aster the iour years carnival of death % the
atleheld and in the hospital an era OF
'Dloody asszes made more rigorous and re-
7engeful from the peculiar sense of injury
Vh,ch ihe President as a loyal Southerner
lad reaIzed IN MS own person. This feeling
vas probably still further aggravated by his G
lvo .ed sympa' hy with the thousands in the ]
south who had been maimed, driven from ! !
lome, stripped of all their property simply | :
because OF their fidelity 70 .fe Constitution 1
md the Union of theiz fathers. The spirit
# the vendetta Unknown in the Northern
'tates was frequently shown in the South.
vhere q had long been domestcaled, with
III Us Corsican ferocity. 1t had ragged ia
Dany instances to the eXtermination of
Amiiies and in many localities to the de-
truction of peace and the utter defiance If
aw, not infrequently, indeed. paralyziug the
administration of justice in whole counties.
)ften seeking and waging open combat with
erocous courage, it did not hesitate at Sc
ret murder, at waylaying on lonely roads
,ith superior numbers, and it sometimes
'en1S far as TO torture an unhappy victim
efore the final death blow.
fpha Ia,, of Tcbnc0n int |
reted BY the merciful in the North as indi-
ating that his own Injuries and fierce con-
els during the war had possibly inspired
i'm with thisfell spirit of revenge, which in
is zeal he might mistake tor the rational
emands of justice. A personal and some-