The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1911-11-23
Trip Of Johnson in 1866
Compared to Taft's
Recent Tour,

~ RESIDENTIAL journeys are
matters of course nowadays.
President Taft's jaunt, just
ended, which covered a dis
lance of 13,436 miles, exceeding his
own previous record by 500 and cover
ing twenty-six states. derives it's i'm
portance mainly from the views ex-
pressed by him in his public speeches.
Time was. however. when the move
ments of president excited the live
lest interest throughout the country.
and the arrival Of a president in New
York was as great an event as the visit
drew Johnson in 1866, in his famous
"swing around the circle" was an in
cident Of stupendous excitement in
contrast to the matter of fact calls of
later presidents.
At the time of President Johnson's
journey political questions arising
from the civil war were causing heat
ed discussion. and the natural interest
in the movements of a chief magis-
trate was heightened by strong public
feeling. But, aside from this feature,
there was a curiosity to see and hear
him that was due to the station he held
and the fact that the difficulties of
travel made such opportunities rare
That generation did not have the in
innate newspaper acquaintance with
it's public servants that we enjoy to-
day, and the sight of president. even
from the thin edge of the crowd was
an experience to be cherished. The re-
ception accorded him along his route
was in sharp contrast to the latter day
respect for the Office he held, but John
son appears to have been fully equal
to rough and tumble relation with
his audiences. The journey had for
its object his presence at the dedica-
ton Of the monument to Stephen A.
Douglas in Chicago, but it was used
as an opportunity for him to defend
his public course and berate his enc
mics, and he frankly awaited himself
of it for that purpose.
Contrast In Arrangements.
President Johnson and his party left
Washington on the morning of Aug. 2S.
1866. The arrangements were primi-
tive in the light Of modern travel
Whereas Mr.. Taft had a special train
of six coaches fitted with every con-
venience and comfort known to rail-
way ingenuity, Johnson's train consist
ed of three ordinary passenger cars
and baggage car. Mr.. Taft's private
car Ideal carried real beds. bathtubs
and drawing rooms. Johnson arranged
to travel by day and was content with
the commonplace seats and equipment
of the travelling public Mr. Taft's
train was hauled by special engine
on each road that he Travelled over,
and special schedule was arranged
to accord with his wishes and engage
ments. The traffic of the various lines
was made to adjust itself to some 400
stops. Johnson's cars were coupled to
regular express trains, and he shared
the common lot as to arrival and de-
parture, making his convenience suit
the established time tables.
Mr.. Taft Was preceded by a master
of ceremonies, who supervised meas
ures for his safety. the character and
place of receptions, local police plans
and other details. Johnson accepted
whatever plans the local managers had
made or did without plans where mu-
nlcipal authorities were lukewarm or
antagOnistic. Mr.. Taft was accompa-
MED by small corps of clerks and TEL
egraphers under the supervision of his
private secretary for the transaction
of business Oh the way. His cars were
provided for the entertainment of such
friends as he might desire to make his
guests en- route, entailing the Transport
tation Of number of servants. John
son was accompanied by two clerks
and one servant His party contained
representatives Of the cabinet and the
army, navy and diplomatic corps Sec
rotary Seward was ever at his right
hand. General Grant and Admiral
Farragut, the military heroes of the
hour, were the conspicuous figures of
the group. General Custer, Secretaries
Dix and Welles, Postmaster General
Randall and M. Romero, minister from
Mexico. were among the number
Philadelphia Received Him Coldly.
Philadelphia greeted the presidents
arrival with GOODNESS. A newspaper
account says: "There never was a city
which had to receive a great and hon.
ored guest which was so perfectly bare
and destitute Of ornament as was Phil
adelphla on this occasion. There were
no triumphal arches, no special ban
ners, no notices, and only in half
dozen places was even the flag Of the
United States displayed.''
At Trenton the crowd was bolster
ously Democratic, and the president
bad hard struggle to get back to his