The Close of the War-An Article in the "London Quarterly Review". Cause for Indignation at the Course of the British Government and Peo- ple-It Encouraged the South to Persist-It could have Stopped the War-Proposed Mediation of the Emperor of the French-Jealousy and Alarm of Great Britain at the Growing Power of the United States- Statements of the "Review" Examined-Its Fling at President John- Veto of the Freedmen's Bureau Bill-Its Features-The Record of the Presi- dent forgotten by those who take Issue with him-To many great Issues he has been committed in Principle as a Statesman-Have the Republicans the Right to add now to the Conditions on which Mr. Johnson was nom; inated?-Regrets at the Differences produced-All his Sympathies and Feelings are with the original Union Men who resisted the Attempts to sever the Union-This Strife should not be Perpetuated-Conclusion LIFE OF ANDREW JOHNSON. CHAPTER I. Practical working of our Free Institutions-Birth of Andrew Johnson-Parents -Jacob Johnson-His character and pursuits-Orphanage of Andrew Johnson-Apprenticed to a tailor-His studious habits-Goes to Laurens Court House, S. C.-Moves to Greenville, Tenn.-In business-Marriage -Industry-Learning the alphabet-Chosen a Town CommissionerElected Mayor-Trustee of Rhea Academy-Chosen Member of the Tennessee Legislature-State of feeling in that body-Candidate for Presidential Elector-Elected State Senator-Chosen Representative in Congress. THERE has not been, in our history, a more striking exemplification of the spirit and practical working of our free institutions, than that presented in the life, character, and elevation to the highest position in the Government, of Andrew Johnson, now President of the United States. The history of this distinguished man's life presents as forcible a commentary as could be written, on the peculiar structure of our Government and the influence and operation of constitutional liberty, in the great American Republic. The great philosophical principle, which underlies the whole framework of our Republican system, is, that in the possession and enjoyment of rights and privilegeswhether by birthright or under the law of the land—all men are on an equality. The reader must not suppose that this is advocating any doctrine of radical agrarianism. It is not meant to be said that the vicious and bad man is the equal of the virtuous and good man—that the stupidly ignorant man is the equal of the man of high intellectual culture—that the rude and unmannerly clown is the equal of the civil, polite, and benevolent man. The meaning of the author is, that every man, both naturally and under the law, is the equal of every other man, under similar conditions and circumstances. Our institutions ignore every thing like monarchy, and-what is still more objectionable, in the estimation of the author of aristocracy also. In our country, the road to distinction, to honor, to fame, is open and free to all alike. Merit, capacity, usefulness, are the only criteria for fitness for the highest honors and the most elevated positions. The stand-point of our whole free government and liberty is to be found in two simple lines, that are indelibly impressed on our memories, from the earliest associations of our school-boy days: "Honor and fame from no condition rise; Act well your part-there all the honor lies." ANDREW JOHNSON, the seventeenth President of the United States, is a native of North Carolina, and of the city of Raleigh. He was born on the 29th day of December, 1808, and is consequently in the fifty-eighth year of his age. His family, though not persons of wealth or pretension, were worthy and respectable people. His father, Jacob Johnson, lived and died in the city of Raleigh. In regard to Jacob Johnson, the information of the author, derived from reliable sources, is, that he was an honest, upright, and worthy man. He was a poor man, but a man of probity and honor. Information, derived from aged persons in Raleigh, now living, states that he was a favorite with the prominent and leading men of Raleigh in his day, and that he possessed their confidence and respect. In an old volume of the "Raleigh Star," in the State Library at Raleigh, the number dated January 12, 1812, has the following obituary notice of Jacob Johnson: "Died, in this city, on Saturday last, Jacob Johnson, who had, for many years, occupied an humble, but useful station in society. He was city constable, sexton, and porter of the State Bank. In his last illness he was visited by the principal inhabitants of the city, by all of whom he was esteemed for his honesty, sobriety, industry, and humane, friendly disposition. Among all by whom he was known and esteemed, none lament him more (except, perhaps, his relatives) than the publisher of this paper, for he owes his life, on a particular occasion, to the boldness and humanity of Johnson." The "Raleigh Standard," of August 28, 1865, in copying the above, states as follows: "The occasion referred to in the concluding lines of the above obituary notice, was this: Thomas Henderson was upset in a canoe, and was so near being drowned, that life was nearly extinct when he was recovered. Jacob Johnson was on the bank, safe and secure. But he saw his friend drowning before his face. Thoughtless of self, he plunged in, at the hazard of his own life. He did finally succeed in saving his friend, but both were nearly exhausted when they reached the shore. The statement, in regard to Jacob Johnson being esteemed for his honesty, sobriety, industry, and humane, friendly disposition,' is concurred in by the old inhabitants now living in this city. This grateful and generous tribute to his worth and goodness of heart is more to be valued and esteemed than 'storied urn or animated bust.'" 6 There was no man of that day who possessed more character and influence, or who was more highly esteemed and regarded in the community where he lived, than Colonel William Polk. He had been a revolutionary officer of distinction and merit. He was a man of wonderful energy, sagacity, and business habits. He was the intimate and close friend of General Jackson. By his industry and enterprise he amassed a large fortune, and was charitable to the poor and a patron and friend of honest worth. As president of the institution, he appointed Jacob Johnson porter of the State Bank, entertained for him the kindest feelings, and treated him with friendly regard. In a communication to the "Raleigh Standard," of September 8, 1865, it is stated, in reference to this appointment of Jacob Johnson as porter in the bank, that "Colonel Polk was shrewd, sagacious, energetic, and industrious. No idler, no spendthrift, no drunkard, could have won his confidence, or eluded his vigilance.' Andrew Johnson, being thus left fatherless, without fortune, and without influential friends to aid him, had no means of acquiring an education; and, at ten years of age, he was apprenticed to a tailor in Raleigh. He had had no schooling whatever. He did not know the alphabet even. But, at that early age, the prompting of his native genius displayed itself in an aspiration for knowledge. His youthful mind hungered for instruction. There was, at that time, a gentleman living in Raleigh who was in the habit of reading to the young workingmen of the town, during the hours of relaxation from labor. Through the kind invitation of a boyish friend, young Johnson availed himself of this opportunity of listening to the speeches of the eminent English statesmen, whose immortal productions, in advocacy of the great principles of English liberty, no doubt, sank deep into his heart at that period of his life; for, strange as it may seem, it was from a volume of that kind, that the gentleman alluded to was in the habit of reading. Young Johnson resolved that, in |
