Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-06-01
THOUSANDS HONOR
ANDREW JOHNSON
MANY TENNESSEEANS VISIT
FAMOUS DEAD
Vast Throngs Honor Memory OF sew
enteenth President and Decorate
Grave in National Cemetery
at GreeneVille

cpEzNv1TJF. Tenn, May 81
Scattered over the greensward in anu
surrounding the National cemetery,
which for the past forty years na9
served as the resting place LOT l.le
body of Andrew Johnson, the seven
teenth president of the united otaIe ~
thousands of the descendants OF ms
old-time neighbors and friends IN East
tennessee today took advantage OF the
first memorial celebration since the
Transformation of the private GENIE
tory into a national institution TO 90
honor to the memory OF the Iorllel
distinguished citizen by organizing INC
Andrew Johnson Memorial assoclallo y;
The people came from all portions Oh
the vaet and picturesque East Ten
nessee country. and while most OF them
were of present-day generation, there
were some timers who boosted or
having known the Tennessee COM
moner in his day and who spoke or ths
fact with much pride. The orator OF
the occasion, Martin w. Llttleton.
came all the way from New York to
sneak in terms of highest eulogy of
the one president who, during ms
term of office, was tried on impeach-
ment charges.
Native of Tennessee
Mr.. Littleton is a native of East
Tennessee, and he expressed high APP
probation of the honor conferred upon
him in making him the orator OF the
occasion. He reviewed at great length
the life of the distinguished man in
whose honor the people had assem-
bled, and predicted that the day would
come when the entire country would
be pleased to do homage to the mem
ory of Andrew Johnson.
The place at which the celebration
411O oil Of 10
burial place which a year or two ago
was purchased by the government and
has Since been made into a national
cemetery.
1t is a beautiful spot, Just outside OF
the town in which for several years in
his early life Mr.. Johnson worked as
a tailor.
1t is splendidly cared for and COM
mands a fine view of the mountain
range which separates Mr.. Johnsons
adopted state from North Carolina.
the state in which he was born. Many
visitors came from the outside, and
the residents found especial pleasure
in pointing out the still preserved
sign, Andrew Johnson, Tailor"
which continues to decorate one of the
humblest buildings here.
The people also manifested much
pride In the fact that, notwithstanding
the almost successful effort to forcibly
eject Mr.. Johnson from the White
House. the private cemetery in which
he is buried is the first of such ceme-
teries to be given national character
by congress.
Among those present and participant
ing in the proceedings was Hon. Walter
p. Brownlow, member of congress from
this district himself a near relative Of
the late Parson Brownlow, Mr.. john
sons most distinguished compeer
Prominent Participant
Mr.. Brownlow was largely respon-
sible for the creation of the national
cemetery. and while he occupied no as
signed part of today's program was by
common consent awarded a position of
general prominence.
In addition to Mr.. Littleton's speech,
the program consisted of the singing Of
America and the Star Spangled
Banner" by a choir of 200 voices; an
incyocation by Rev. John S. Ealxin and
the introduction of Mr.. Littleton by
Hon. James C. Park, closing with the
organization of the Memorial associa-
ton, There was a notable orchestra in
attendance several members of which
were old-time players who had fur
nished music at the political gatherings
during the notable Johnson Gentry
campaign for governor before the Civil
War. Many of them were in reminis-
cent mood and between tunes mani
tested great willingness to entertain
visitors with stories of the dim and dis
tant past.
Altogether it was a memorable day
for GreeneVille and visitors generally
voted that they had been well enter
tanned.