Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-03-28
STANDING BY THE UNION.

by the mass OF Southern Democratic
| leaders. ftT
STANDING BY THE UNION.
In all the threats of disunion, in all
the plotting and planning for secession
which absorbed Southern thought and
action between the years 1854 and
1861, Mr.. Johnson took no part. He
had been absent from Congress dur
ing the exciting period when the
Missouri compromise was overthrown |;
and though, after his return in 1857
he co-operated generally in the meas !
ures deemed essential for Southern
interests, he steadily declared that a
consistent adherence to the Constitu-
ton was the one and only remedy for
the alleged grievances OF the slave
holders. 1t was natural, therefore, that
when the decisive hour came, and the
rash men of the South determined to
break up the Government, johnson
should stand firmly by the Union.
The assassination of Mr.. Lincoln
naturally produced widespread de-
preston and dread of evil. His po-
sition had been one of exceptional
strength with the people. BY his four
years of considerate and successful
administration, by his patient and pos
tive trust in the ultimate triumph of
the Union realized at last as he stocd
On the edge of the grave-he had
acquired so complete All ascendency
oyer the public mind in the loyal
States that any policy matured and
announced by him would have been
accepted by vast majority OF his
countrymen. But the same degree of
faith could not attach to Mr.. Johnson;
although after the first shock of the
assassination had subsidized there was
generous revival of trust, or at least
hope, that the great work which had
been SO faithfully prosecuted for four
ward in the same lofty spirit to the
same noble ends. The people of the
North waited with favorable disposi-
tons and yet with balancing judgment
and in exciting mood, They had en-
joyed abundant opportunity to ac-
quaint themselves with the principles
and the opinions of the new president,
and confidence in his future policy
WAS not unaccompanied by a sense of
uncertainty and, indeed. by an alalost
painful suspense as 10 his mode ofsolv-
ing the great problems before him.
AS has been already indicated, the
more radical Republicans OF the
North feared that his birth and rearing
as Southern man and his long iden-
titication with the supporters of the
slave system might -bliud him to the
most sacred duties of philanthropy,
while the more conservative, but not
less loyal or less humsne, feared that
from the personal antagonisms of his
own stormy career he might be dis
posed TO deal too harshly with the
leaders of the conquered rebellion.
The few words which Mr.. Johnson had
addressed to those present when he
took the oath oi office were closely
scanned and carefully analyzed by the
country even Ill the stunning grief
which Mr. Lincolns death had precip
itated II was especially noticed that
he refrained from declaring that lie
should continue the policy OF his pred
ecessor. BY those who knew Sfr
Johnson's views intimately. the oIniss-
ion was understood to imply that Mr..
Lincoln had intended 10 pursue a
more liberal and more generous policy
with the rebels than his successor
deemed expedient or prudent.
srERNNEss AND EGoTIsM
1t was known to few persons that
when Mr.. Johnson arrived from For
tress Monroe on the morning OF April |
10, and found the National Capital in
blaze of patriotic excitement over the
OF Lees army the day before
at Appomattox, he fastened to the
White House and addressed to the un-
willing ears of Mr.. Lincoln an earnest
protest against the indulgent terms
conceded by Gen Grant. Mr. John
son believed that Gen. Lee should not
have been permitted to surrender his
sword as o soldier OF honor, but that
Gen. Grant should have received the
entire command as prisoners of war,
and should have held Lee in cOnfine-
ment until he could receive instruc-
tions from the administration at Wash
ington. The spirit which these views
indicated was understood by those |
who best knew Mr.. johnson to be con- |
tanned, if not expressed, in this declar- |
alton of his first address: CAS- to an
indication OF any policy which may
be pursued by me in the conduct OF
the Government, | have to say that
that must be left for development as
the administration progresses. The
message or the declaration must be
made by the acts rs they transpire |
The only assurance that / can now
give of the future is by reference to
the past"
Tbe effect produced upon the pub !
lie by this speech, which might be re- !
garded as an inaugural address, WAS |
not happy Besides its evasive charac-
ter respecting public policies, which |
every observing man noted with ap-
prehensioh, an unpleasant impression
was created by its evasive character
respecting Mr.. Lincoln. The entire
absence OF eulogy OF the slain presi-
dent was remarked. There was no
mention of his name or OF his charac-
ter of his office. The only allusion in
any way whatever to Mr.. Lincoln was
Mr.. Johnson's declaration that he was
almost overwhelmed by the announce
ment 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 his own past
history. Though speaking not more
than five minutes, it was noticed that
al" and my" and @me" were mention
ed at least score of times.
Senator John F. Hale of New
Hampshire, who was present on the
occasion, said, with characteristic wit,
that johnson seemed willing to share
the glory Of his achievements with his
creator, but utterly forgot that Mr.
Lincoln had any share of credit i'm