The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-07-22
Ihe Union Convention in Bal
timore in 1864.
@etamorphos's Of Andrew Johnson
After Being Elected President.
Something About the Great Lincoln
Cabinet During tho War.
To THE EpIToR OF THE NEWS:

To THE EDITOR OF THE NEWS:
As we stated In a previous communica-
tion, II was our lot to be present at the
great Union Convention in Baltimore IN
664, which nominated Abraham Lincoln
md Andrew johnson for President and
Vice President OF the Union party. We
saw the great Senator, Preston King OF
New York, come In the convention at the
head OF the New York delegation, and
announce In stentorian tones, when
thrilled through the hearts of the vast
assem- blage: 'New York gives her 40 votes
unanimous for Andy Johnson OF Ten
nessee for ice-President." Instantly
pandemonium seemed let loose. We
have seen many exciting scenes and con-
ventions In the West, South, California,
immense theater shook under the terrific
applause. Lace bonnets waved by ladies,
costly handkerchiefs, gloves, hats,
coats, canes and umbrellas darkened the
air. Cheers upon cheers for half an hour
rang through the house; delegation after
delegation tumbled over each other for
the Tennessee tailor, Andrew Johnson, TIL
the announcement OF his nomination as
Vice President. Such was the tone,
feeling and public pulse then. Had he
continued the same Andrew johnson
after his election, 1t seemed he might
have be EN- President, In regular success
lion, but sad IL was, he was metamorphosed
nto another Andrew johnson. HIS
policy (my policy opinions, life, habits
and general course In governmental
administration were sadly changed. The
calling of Wilkes Booth, too, for an
interview and the leaving OF his card for
the VicePresident at the Kirkwood
House, the night before the assassination,
was another complication, whether
groundless or not, and caused division
n public opinion among some Southerners
I'm regard to his completely in the plot TO
succeed to the Presidency, though his
prompt retributive measures seemed TO
refute this view. His fitness for the
great responsibilities OF the high Office,
the guardianship OF the national treasury,
seeded States was greatly impaired after
the assassination plot.
1t was our painful allotment to see the
dying President as he was carried across
the street, after the assault, and again a
few moments before he died, and also to
lay, almost in his death blood, sur
rounded by bloody sheets and garments,
but, thanks, saved by providential es-
cape, in that terrible unequal struggles OF
a sick man for life. Secretary Stanton
and the other distinguished cabinet OFF,
GERS were most fortunately preserved from
this dark, black, murderous plot, striking
at the whole cabinet, and the most shame
full crime OF all the ages, only by the tire
less, watchful vigilance OF militia and
citizen guards, on that black and shame
less night. Washington has seen the plot
ting of many infamous crimes. The
poisoning OF 60 persons at the National
Hotel, including the great financier, Sec
rotary Fessenden, who died from its
effects after % years OF suffering, was
most wicked and cruel crime. 1t re-
mained, however, for this plot, the muir
der of President and his cabinet, TO be
the consummation and elimination OF all
the monstrous crimes in American his
tory. After such bloody tragedies as
these had been enacted on the stage OF
real life i'm this great republic, and its
greatest statesmen the actors in the tragic
play, the American people demanded
swift, merited, and fearful retribution.
The cabinet officers, all men of great
ability and patriotism, earnestly exerted
themselves, with all their influence, to
urge the incoming President forward to
the faithful, prompt performance OF duty.
They stood by and wisely, ,persistently ad-
vised his policy and course on many occa-
sions, with varying success. Notably,
when Mr.. Johnson returned from Nash
vile, after very narrow escape OF his
life. On this occasion Secretary Mont
gomery Blair had reception for him at
his residence and from his piazza, Secre-
tary Mccullough by his side, we heard
him deliver that noted, world wide
speech, announcing in terrific, eloquent
tones that Treason must be made obi
Gus, that traitors must and should be
punished, and outbidding in oratory
and denunciation OF wrong, even Garri-
son, Phillips and Loveioy. Again, at
the great review of two days of
the victorious Union army OF sew
eral hundred thousand Union soldiers
President johnson was aided in the
great review of both days of the Cabi-
net, and General Grant, General Sherman,
and the many great generals, and dis
tinguished visitors. On this occasion,
we recall an incident of severe criticism
upon Secretary Stanton, not upon his
war policy, but his official courtesy. As
the review closed, large crowd sur
rounded the Presidents reviewing stand,
and as he was leaving Secretary Stanton
took off his hat, and, waving it, proposed
three cheers for the President, and re-
peated IL several times as they walked to-
gether to the White House For this slight
notice OF the courtesies and amenities OF
official life, he was unreasonably de-
nounced. Again when President John
son made his noted tour through the
country, known I'm political parla nee rs
"swinging round the circle, ~ to expound
any policy, and boom his bid for the sue
cession, he was received by the Cabinet,
and large military and civic procession
and escorted to the White House, and
again the Cabinet was severely anathema
tized. Like the great Lincoln's role, IL
was hard to please. President Johnson
won popular favor, the highest bonors of
the land and great success for his early
career, and had he continued following
wise counsels and promptings, his closing
career would have been different. To our
brave soldiers, officers and nameless he-
roes, we owe the perpetuity OF our union,
nd TO the great Lincoln Cabinet the future
historian will award the highest honors
Tor their patriotic, noble work.