The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-22
GRANT AND JOHNSON.

GRANT AND JOHNSON.
Mr.. Depew's explanation of what he limited
at in his speech before the Chamber of Com
merce, relative to what he knew of General
Grants great services to his country after the
war and before he became President conveys
no new intelligence, or, rather, merely con-
firms in detail what has long been covertly
known in general outline. The extraordinary
character of Andrew johnson, and his still
moro remarkable utterances and change Of
opinion, were the source of infinite anxiety to
the people from the time he was
elected and inaugurated until the
close of his term of office. He was chosen, as
is well known, because he was Southern
man and Union man Of peculiar determine
ton and vindictiveness. His sententious ut
terance, eff were President would try you
as traitors and hang you as traitors" had that
ring in it that in 1864 caught the loyal ear
and won the sorely tried loyal heart. Not
that there was q general desire to take the
lives of Southern leaders; but because it was
the general belief that man with the
courage to make a declaration of that
kind in Tennessee at that time was
possessed of sufficient 'sgrit" to make an &C
ceptable Vice president at that trying juncture
in the country's history. 1t soon became APP
parent, however that the North did not know
the man as he was, and when the assassina-
ton of Lincoln was perpetrated there were
not few who felt uncertain about him who
then stepped into his place, and there were
many unfavorable remarks on the fact that
no attempt was made on the life of the Vice
president. But it is only justice to say that
few or none now hold that he had any connec-
ton with that awful tragedy.
Jchnson's sudden change from man thirst
ing for the blood of traitors to fellowship with
them was startling metamorphosis, and
started anew the unfavorable comment upon
him as man and patriot. The explanation
madeby Mr.. Depew, related him by General
Grant, is plausible enough to command ready
acceptance. johnson was not only ambitious,
but INSCRIPTIONS and glaringly inconsistent.
His "swing around the circle" in hope
of securing his nomination in 1868, re-
veals how intent he was on perpetuating
his power, and it is easy to believe that the
attentions said to have been paid him by
tao
BILE and fattering to his vanity. Intent only
on his own ACKNOWLEDGMENT, his policy was
a weather vane. pointing to the direction from
which the most favorable wind blew In at
tempting to cajole, and afterwards control,
General Grant, his subordinate, he ran across
a character not easily deceived in matters of
state, and not to be swerved from the straight
line of his duty. Grants ambition seemed
ever to be desire to serve his country
and his friends. If he felt that another could
do better than he in any undertaking. he was
ready to give way upon demand of those in
| authority. This was signally illustrated in
his letter to his father while battering down
the defenses of Vicksburg, and starving out
its entrapped inmates, when he complained of
the bitter criticism of certain newspapers on
his conduct of the campaigns he had passed
through. His ambition was ever held in
check by an overmastering desire to do his
whole duty. Admiral Ammen, in his
paper published in the North Ameri-
can Review for November, presents
the popular view of Grant when he says:
Personally, his wants were of the simplest.
Even before his WOW age around the world, the
ordinary use of liquors. or even of the lightest
wines, had been laid aside To him, personal
ly, the plainest house, with abundant light
and air. and furnished in the plainest manner,
would have been as acceptable as a palace.
No former associate of General Grant
would be so unjust to his memory as not to
recognize the fact that he had an ambition far
above all suspicion. His ambition, above all,
was to do what was right" The letter of Mr..
Depew has started discussion that will not
end until all the truth is known and unoues-
tionably attested.
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M. BARTHoLDI, designer of the great statue,
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