The Washington herald., 1909-02-07

more happily for all concerned
But had he been exposed to the same
alien hostility that assalled Mr.. Johnson
or bereft Ike him Of any adequate means
Of defense; had he been treacherously
deserted by those whose s~0rn duty it
was 10 support him, badgered by the
metropolitan press and left 20 be made
the mark OF every intrigusnt and plotter
in the country-she fate that was re-
served for his heroic and sorely tried
suceessor-there Is grave reason to be
heve that he, too. might have met with
difficulty There was no weakness about
President Johnson. Even Boutwell, gave
him credit for both intellectual ability
and courage" yet I have seen him in
deep distress. When u President OF the
United States begins TO wipe the m0is-
tUre on HIS spectacles there must be
something wrong In the state Of public
affairs
Johnson Ignorant OF Finance.
In alluding to certain defects Of char
acter of Gov. Boutwell, which had a bear
ing upon his public life and his attitude
toward Mr.. LincOln's successor in Office,
candor impels me 70 say that Mr. John
son, at least in one respect. shared them
with him He, too, was backward in f.
nance and ignorant Of the tricks OF finan-
ciers. He appeared to me, as indeed did
another President. some years later,
when reported 70 him the evidence I
had taken Ia behalf OF the monetary
commission 70 have no head for figures,
a peculiarity which is not confined 70
Presidents OF the United States; for I
have found the same defect in persons
occupying almost equally exalted posi-
tions. both IN this country and England.
For example. Mr.. johnson was inn
posed upon, deceived. and cheated. IN re-
spect OF the wool bin OF March 2. 1861.
bill which ne had intended 70 veto-such
veto having been carefully considered.
drawn up. and signed. YET at the last
moment he was induced 70 destroy the
veto and approve the bill I have re-
tanned a copy OF this veto one Of the
men who overreached him was an IN
ternal revenue officer. the other was an
ex-governor. Both Of them. as after
ward appes red, were sctuated by gross
mercenary motives. and one OF them
made q large fortune out OF il.
In JOhnsOn's state.
Weighed IN the impartial scales OF his
tory. the country has no reason 10 be
ashamed Of its twenty-third President
He was stamped IN that same severe but
kindly mold from which have emerged
the entire series OF American executives
Whatever heated partisans or petty
critics may say 10 the contrary. an
American President has 70 pass through
so many scorching fires before he can
reach the White House that when ne
gets there he IS thrice purified; he IS iron,
and steel. and adamant.
Last year GsC0. few days after the
anniversary OF Liacola's birth. In the leg
islature OF Tennessee. and upon a mo-
ton 10 appropriate $S2ooO for the Federal
cemetery at Greenviile. where repose the
remains OF the reconstruction President
and his two sons. Mr. BrownlOw. a Re
publican from one OF the eastern dis
tricts, won the applause and vote OF the
house with a ringing speech IN behalf
Of the appropriation. said he. Andrew
JohnsOn's district furnished more sol
diers 10 the union service during the dark
days Of the rebellion than any C0nges-
sional district in the United States, and
yet we were 100 miles inside the COnfed-
crate lines
20, NJ Chairman. when these soldiers
left east Tennessee they were followed
by bloodhounds; they bid their wives
daughters, and sweethearts good-by by
moonlight at the old home spring. and
went across the mountains into Ken
tuciy and Joined the Union Army. per
haps never 10 see those they loved again.
President Johnson was q Union Dem
ocrat He was a member of the United
States Senate from Tennessee, and was
the ari- Senator OF his party. North or
South, that stood by Abraham Lincoln
| in favor OF The old flag and as united
country He was surrounded by the Sc
cessiOnists OF the South, yet he enlisted
TN the cause Of the Union, stood by the
government, stood By Abraham Lincoln,
and, as I have asserted heretofore and
now again assert, that. taking his sur
roundiRgs into consideration and the
brave course he pursued, I believe that,
next TO Lincoln himself. he was the
/ greatest patriot Of the civil war"