The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-26

Opposing candidates met on the
stump in those days and debated the
questions at issue. Johnson, following
the rules laid down by his wife, had
prepared himself well. The people who
came expecting to hear rude noun
| taineer listened with amazement when
with the cleverness OF master in de-
| bate ne turned every argument of his
| opponent. Following the debate he de-
| livered a speech that those who heard
| never forgot.
Within a week his opponent was SO
overwhelmed by johnson that he with
drew from the race.
Election to the Legislature Of Ten
nessee in that year began for Andrew
Johnson one Of the most remarkable
law making careers in American his
tory. From that time on to the time of
| his death he was in office almost con-
| tinuously.
From the lower house of the Legis-
| lature he was promoted to the state
Senate; from the State Senate he was
sent to the lower house Of Congress
where he served five consecutive terms
| Then he was made Governor. and from
| the Gubernatoral office he went to the
United States Senate. He held Ten
| nessee In the Union. was military Gov
ernor during the civil war. Vice Presl-
dent and then President OF the United
| States, and last Of all again Senator
Of the United States.
Few men suffered more on account
| OF their unionism and got so poor q
| reward. He was almost fanatical IN
| his advocacy and defence OF the COM
mon people. SO was his wife. To her
| Johnson had become the great tribune
| Of the masses With all her desire for
his advancement and success. she was
| in constant fear that he would meet
| with bodily harm. The passions of men
were high in those days. johnson, as
the principal figure in Tennessee In the
Union cause. was n shining mark Tor
| attack. His devoted wife worried her
| self into serious illness through her
fears that he would be killed.
And these fears had good basis.
| once. while he was Governor. placard
was placed in the Capitol grounds an
| nouncing that he would be shot on
| sight, johnson, who was reproached
for not taking bodyguard with him
whenever he went abroad thereafter,
| scoffed at the idea.
Nonsense" ne exclaimed. "If I am
| 10 be SnOt at i want no lIitIu W ih'h'
| to be in the way of the bullet
Some time later announcement was
made that IL he delivered a certain ad-
dress he would not leave the hall alive.
Johnson stepped on the platform at the
| appointed hour and. looking out at the
| thousands of hostile persons assembled.
said
II have been informed that part of
/ the business to be transacted on the
present occasion is the assassination of
| the individual who now has the honor
| of addressing you. l beg respectfully
| to propose that this be the first bust
ness in order. Therefore. II any man
has come here for the purpose indi-
Gated. I do not say let him speak but
let him shoot"
Johnson's right hand was on his pis-
tol while he spoke.
There was no move from the audi
ence. so he added: 1T appears l have
| been misinformed. so I'll now proceed
| to address you on the subject that has
| called us together"
| Heroic? Yes but terrible to woman
| whose illness aggravated her fears for
| the safety of her husbands life.
And then came the civil war. John
son had made himself hated by many of
| the extremists on the other side OF the
slavery question and there were thou
|