Omaha daily bee., 1909-02-07

recognising as citizens of such states those
who had remained true to the flag.
That such was Mr.. Lincoln's policy is
placed beyond controversy by his proclama-
ton OF December s. 1868. in which he an
nounces his willingness to recognize any
loyal government which may be set up in
the south by as many as one-tenth of the
voters OF 1850. and in his message to con-
gress in which he proposed a definite plan
OF reconstruction on the basis Of amnesty,
an oath of future loyalty, and the exclusion
Of ex-secessionists from high office.
When the excitment attending the assas-
sination began to calm down the president
enunciated these views more and more en-
phatically in his responses to delegations,
satisfaction. Even the extreme abolition
and they we're received with the highess
lists echoed them. Wendell Phillips, in a
speech at the Cooper institute. said that
for eight years he had sat at the feet of
Andrew Johnson" whose principles and
actions he a~pplauded. and whom he had
entire faith " Andrew johnson
was the fully trusted, needless 10 be
watched leader of the American people
declared the orator, and the auiience ag .eed
with him in a tremendous burst OF APP
plause.
Knew Him Intimately.
1 knew Mr.. Johnson intimately; 1 was
with him a great deal; 1 knew his mind on
this subject; / knew. 1 saw, l felt. that ne
had no other object than to carry out Lin
coins policy precisely as Lincoln had
planned it; but no words OF mine at this
late day will suffice to establish a fact
the very converse Of which was made the
ground of an impeachment carefully drawn
up and managed by such astute lawyers
and experienced politicians as Thad Stevens,
George 3. Boutwell,. John A. Bingham, Ben
9amin +. Butler, Wilson, Logan and VIII
Hams. At the first meeting of these man
ayers Governor Boutwell, was chosen as
their leader; and although he afterwards
gave way to the petty jealousy of Bingham.
ne always remained the leading spirit OF
the movement. 1t was he who drew up
the original articles Of impeachment: ne
whit amended and perfected them; he WIN
inserted that crafty clause In the appro-
priation act OF March, 1867, which unnoticed
py the unsuspicious president, deprived him
or his constitutional command OF the army
and made him practically a state suspect
ana ne who pursued johnson not only to
the DAY when the impeachment was de-
teated In the senate and the prosecuted
president was hurried To his grave, but
VINO continued to pursue him in magazine
articles long after his death.
1 also knew Mr.. Boutwell,. We were MEM
oers or the same club and often met and
incidentally touched upon matters OF pub
TIC interest. Indeed I have letters from him
dated within the last few years. He was
what Is called an self-made man. strong.
shrewd, suspicious and honest; but narrow.
Vinuictive' ignorant Of the broader phases
ana relations OF political life, ignorant of
finance and OF the tricks Of financiers. ig-
norant OF foreign language and literature,
OF foreign intrigues, of foreign politics. and
OF It's bearings upon our own. He was con-
ceited In that he thought he ''knew n
an when he did not; and he was the I'M
conscious tool Of men far better informed
and moro acute and designing than him
self. j could name them, but I refrain.
Foreign princes are now wasting the money
which was lifted out of BoutweIps de.
plorable plumbers.
Not Opposed to Lincoln.
A few years ago Mr.. Boutwell, published
an article In some New York magazine on
The Impeachment OF Andrew Johnson in
which he sought to Justify this proceeding
oy W that 1t was based upon
opinions, uttterances and actions diametric-
ally opposed to Mr.. Lincoln's policy. or az
he sometimes termed It. the republican
policy. Among his charges were the fol-
lowing;
l. II do not find evidence which will
justify the statement that Mr.. johnson was
a disbeliever in the right OF a state TO
secede from the union" Answer-Then he
could not have looked for It. nor have rec