Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-23

HSkgloomy circumstances that do not in
AM vtend to sadden your readers by dwell.
mAng on that sorrowful epoch in our
country's history. 1 had known known Mr..
johnson when a member Of the House Of Rep
resentatives and while in the Senate. We were
neighbors for some years. When he became
President found the same nature had known
so long, but with reserve that seemed conse-
quent upon his elevation. He rose with 1t and
dignity not assumed, but consonant with the
presidency, never left him. saw him under
all the trying circumstances of his presidential
career and that calm, composed determination
was ever present He had hardly taken his sea,
when the mutter of the storm which broke
upon him was heard. His views in relation to
the treatment of the south had manifestly
changed. During the campaign of 1864 his
speeches were violent and vindctive but
clothed with the robes of presidential power
he refused to yield TO the extremists and laid
down tho platform. upon which he fought dur
ing his administration, that the states i'll re-
beliton held all their sovereign powers as
states in allegiance and their return was
simply renewal OF their obligations
to the general government Clothed
with the power to punish he used that
power to reinstate those who sought reconciia-
ton. am not going to dwell on that political
side OF Mr.. Johnson's character or adminlstra-
ton. leave that to others. There were so many
incidents in that eventful four years that
would fill more than the space allowed me If
l should undertake to detail them. The per-
sonalities Of Mr.. Johnson and his friends will
be more agreeable am sure to your readers.
He was III many of his characteristics para
doxical. Reared in the most ,humiliating pow
erty he cared nothing for money! mean he
was ready to dispense it for his friends. On
one occasion during the campaign Of 1866 the
late Charles KNAPP was chairman Of the national
committee appointed by the Philadelphia con-
ventlon, and Senator Edgar Cowan OF Pennsyl-
vania, whose reelection depended on carrying
the Legislature of that state, sent friend, Gen.
Zulick, since governor of Arizona, with letter
to tho President, asking the appointment of
two friends to some position, and saying they
would contribute $4,000 to the campaign. and
he thought that aid would materially assist his
canvass The letter. an open one. was read by
Mr.. KNAPP, Mr.. Wendell and myself. the execu-
tive committee IN charge of the campaign,
who saw nothing improper in the request,
and we accompal led Gen. Zulick to the Presi-
dent. who read the letter, but the dark cloud
which settled on his face as he read warned US
we had made mistake. He turned to Mr..
KNAPP and asked If he knew the contents Of the
letter, and said 1t WAS proposition to sell two
offices to Senator Cowan's friends for the
$4,000. He turned to Gen. Zulick and said: II
am most anxious to have Senator Cowan re-
turned to the Senate, but l cannot entertain
such a proposition" Cen Zuick withdrew
and we undertook to explain the letter. but he
was lmmovable; under no circumstances would
he listen to the appointment of the gentlemen
Mr.. Wendall had just returned from Pennsyl-
vania and the President inquired OF him what
chance there was for Senator Cowan's re-elec-
ton. Wendall said he thought a very good
one and explained to the President the politi-
cal condition Of the state. He listened to him
with interest, and ringing his bell, sent for
Col Morrow, to whom he gave some instruc-
tons, and in a little while Col. Morrow laid be-
fore him check and withdrew. The Presi-
dent signed the check and handing it to Mr.
KNAPP, said: 81 cannot use public offices to aid
in the election OF friend, but l have q right
to contribute my own means to help him. Take
this check. Mr.. KNAPP. and use it to aid in Sem
ator Cowan's election" handing him his check
for $4,000. Mr.. KNAPP refused to take 1t, say
ing the money for tho campaign was already
provided.
Unable to read when he became Of age he
was such a stickler for style in the composition
of his state papers that have known him to
keep one by him for twenty-four hours until
satisfied with the construction of u sentence.
WHEN HE LOST HIS DIGNITY
l said l never saw the President lose that
calmness which was part of his nature, but 1
remember an occasion when there was none OF
it left. Gen. Lorenzo Thomas, adjutant gan
eral Of the army. had been selected to hold the
War Department against Mr.. Stanton. and a
more unfit man could not have been found III
Washington. with the eyes Of Delaware upon
him. as he testified on the Impeachment trial,
he re!iuqulshed the Office to Mr.. Stanton. or
absented himself. forget which, and at mid
night, when we learned Mr.. Stanton Was in pos
session. went to the President and told him
Words are inadequate to describe his wrath
against old Thomas 1 was sent to hunt him up
and found he had been all the evening at a ball
at Marinls, but had disappeared and had not
reached home.
ANDREW JoHNsON's FoRGETFULNEss OF INJURY
and forgiveness cannot be better illustrated
than in the case OF the late Senator Robert w.
Johnson Of Arkansas. On the day the Senator
from Arkansas resigned his seat he met the
Senator from Tennessee on the floor OF the
Senate in the rear of the Vice Presidents chair,
and aSSailed him violently. denounclng him as
a traitor to the south i'll the mosto pprobrious
terms. The war being ended Irecclved letter
from Mr.. Robert W. Johnson asking me to OBJ
tam from the President an order for transport
tatlon to Washington from New Orleans, where
he was prisoner Oh parole. Remembering
the scene four years before, hesitated to ask
this favor. and consulted Judge Hughes of Iu-
diana. an intimate friend of the President We
went together to see him that night, and
handed the President Mr.. Johnson's letter He
read it and said Certainly l should like to see
him." and ordered Col. Morrow to telegraph
Gen. Candy to furnish transportation to ex-
Senator johnson. The arrival of the ex-senator
OH Il Saturday, remember, was hailed by his
old friends with rejoicing that hardly ceased
until Monday. when he was to report to the
President. | was at the Presidents house
when he arrived very nervous tor he had re-
called that last meeting. He said he had a
letter that morning from Gen. Humphrey Mar
shall asking transportation to Washington aud
requested should take the letter to the Presi-
dent lsaid mo. ask it yourself" Just then he
was called, and he entered the Presidents
room and had hardly more than reached him
when we heard very hearty laughter. and in a
few minutes Col. Morrow was summoned and u
telegram sent to Gen. Candy to furnish trans
portaton to Washington to Gen. Humphrey
Marshall. The ex-senator from Arkansas said
when he entered he began apology for the
scene OF four years before, but the President
met him with both hands extended and would
not hear word
HUMPHREY MARSHALL
was a very extraordinary man. Full Of the tai
ent which distinguished all of his name, he
was like the most of them erratic. He was APP
pointed minister to China by Mr. Fillmore, and
at that time the ministers had. in addition to
salary. ali outfit of years pay, think. and An
Unfit Of half years pay. Mr.. Marshall had
drawn his outfit and had escaped his old en-
envy, faro, reaching New York safe in the pos
session OF his outfit. The steamer did not sail
for a day or two and nc undertook q last tussle
with his old enemy before sailing for the celcs-
tial empire. and in the words Of the .lanented
Arkansas gentleman. The fell among thieve
again and couldn't win bet whether he cop
pered it or no." and his outfit was non est, aud
until he could negotiate on his Unfit he was de.
layed in New York.
George d. Prentice, in the Louisville Journal
was one Of Humphrey Marshall's most persist