The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1885-04-10


which Mr.. johnson had addressed to
those present when he took the oath
of office were closely scanned and
carefully analyzed by the country even
in the stunning grief which Mr.. Lin
coins death had precipitated. 1t was
especially noticed that he refrained
from declaring that he should con-
tinue the policy of his predecessor.
By those who knew Mr.. Johnson's S
views intimately, the omission was
understood to imply that Mr.. Lincoln
had intended to pursue more liberal
and more generous policy with the
rebels than his successor deemed ex-
pedient or prudent.
STERNNEss AND EGOTISM.
II was known to a few persons that
when Mr.. johnson arrived from For
tess Monroe on the morning of April
10. and found the national capital in a
blaze of patriotic excitement over the
surrender of Lees army the day be-
fore at Appomattox, he hastened to
the white house, and addressed to the
unwilling ears of Mr.. Lincoln an
earest protests against the indulgent
terms conceded by Gen. Grant. Mr..
johnson believed that Gen. Lee should
not have been permitted to surrender
his sword as soldier of honor, but
that Gen. Grant should have received
the entire command as prisoners of
war, and should have held Lee in con-
finement 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 contained
if not expressed. in this declaration of
his first address "As to an Indication
of any policy which may be pursued
by me in the conduct of the govern
ment, have to say that that must be
left for development as the administra-
declaration must be made by the acts
as they transpire. The only assurance
that can now give of the future is by
reference to the past"
The effect produced upon the public
by this speech, which might be regar-
ded as an inaugural address, was not
happy. Besides its evasive character
respecting public policies which every
observing man noted with apprehen-
sion, an unpleasant impression, was
created by It's evasive character re-
specting Mr.. Lincoln. The entire alb
sence of eulogy of the slain president
was remarked. There was no men,
tion of his name or of his character or
of his office. The only allusion in any
way whatever to Mr.. Lincoln was Mr..
Johnson's declaration that he was s.al.
most overwhelmed by the announce
ment of the sad event which has so re-
Gently occurred" While he founo no
time TO praise one whose praise was on
every tongue, he made ample reference
is himself and his own past history.
Though speaking not more than five
minutes, it was noticed that '.I' and
'my" and ''me'' were mentioned at
least score of times.
Senator John P Hale, of New Hamp-
shire, who was present on the occasion
said with characteristic wit, that
johnson seemed willing to share the
glory of his achievements with his ere
ator, but utterly forgot that Mr.. Lin
colin had any share of credit in the
of the rebellion.
The infiexible sternness of Mr.. John
'on's tone and the frequent repetition
If his intention to inflict the severest
penalty of the law upon the leading
raitors, began to create apprehension
n the north. 1t was feared that the |
ountry might be called upon to wit
ess, after the four years carnival of
cath on the battlefield and in the
espital, an era of ''bloody assizes,"
1ade the more rigorous and revenge
nj from the peculiar sense of injury
Thich the president. as loyal south
rner, had realized in his own pc son.
his feeling was probably still further
ggravated by his avowed sympathy
18th the thousands in the south who
ad been manned, driven from home,
ripped of all their property, simply
ecause of their fidelity to the consti-
ltion and the union of their fathers.
he spirit of the Vendetta, unknown in
10 northern states, was frequently
lown in tho south, where it had long
zen domesticated with all its Corsi-
IN ferocity. 1t had ragged in many
stances to the determination of
miles, and in many localities to the
of peace and the utter de-
lnce of law-not infrequently, in [
,ed, paralyzing the administration Q
Justice III WnOle counties. O1Ien
eking and waging open combat with 2
rocious courage, it did not hesitate c
secret murder, at waylaying on g
nelly roads with superior numbers, P
ID it sometimes went so far as to tor Il
re an unhappy victim before the tl
al death blow. The language of ii
r. johnson was interpreted by the p
erciful in the north as indicating h
ut his own injuries and fierce con- 81
Its during the war had possibly in e.
ired him with this fell spirit of re- Il
nge, which in his zeal he might Il
stake for the rational demands of h'
,tice. I'll
A personal and somewhat curious ct
lstratiUn of Mr.. Johnson's temper sa
purpose at the time is afforded by OF
conference between himself and w
1ator Wade of Ohio. Mr.. Wade pa
s widely known as among the radi- hr
and progressive members of the nj
'ublican party. His immediate to
lsttuents of the Western Reserve ex
re a just and God fearing people, SCI
ply endowed with moral and ply th'
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