The Struggle between President Johnson and Congress over ReconstructionChadsey, Charles E. (Charles Ernest)
History
The Struggle between President Johnson and Congress over Reconstruction
Chadsey, Charles E. (Charles Ernest)
Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875; United States -- Politics and government -- 1865-1869
[138] McPherson, 135. The following is a good example of the manner in
which Johnson lowered himself to the level of the disorderly element, who
made a bedlam out of some of the meetings he attended. The extract is from
the Cleveland speech: "Who can come and place his finger on one pledge I
ever violated, or one principle I ever proved false to? (A voice, 'How
about New Orleans?' Another voice, 'Hang Jeff Davis.') Hang Jeff Davis, he
says. (Cries of 'No' and 'Down with him!') Hang Jeff Davis, he says. (A
voice, 'Hang Thad. Stevens and Wendell Phillips.') Hang Jeff Davis. Why
don't you hang him? (Cries of 'Give us the opportunity.') Have you not got
the court? Have not you got the Attorney General? (A voice, 'Who is your
Chief Justice who has refused to sit upon the trial?' Cheers.) I am not
the Chief Justice. I am not the prosecuting attorney. (Cheers.) I am not
the jury.
"I will tell you what I did do. I called upon your Congress that is trying
to break up the government. (Cries, 'You be d--d!' and cheers mingled with
hisses. Great confusion. 'Don't get mad, Andy.') Well, I will tell you who
is mad. 'Whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make mad.' Did your
Congress order them to be tried? ('Three cheers for Congress')," etc.
[139] Tennessee, Texas, Georgia, Missouri, Virginia, North Carolina and
Alabama were represented among the signers to the call.
[140] McPherson, _History of the Reconstruction_, 124.
[141] Blaine, _Twenty Years of Congress_, ii, 224-228.
[142] McPherson, _History of the Reconstruction_, 241, 242.
[143] McPherson, _History of the Reconstruction_, 242.
[144] The address was prepared by Senator Creswell, of Maryland. See
Blaine, _Twenty Years of Congress_, ii, 223-228.
[145] McPherson, _History of the Reconstruction_, 243; Blaine, _Twenty
Years of Congress_, ii, 228-230.
[146] Blaine, _Twenty Years of Congress_, ii, 230-233.
[147] General John A. Logan was first chosen president, but was unable to
attend.
[148] McPherson, _History of the Reconstruction_, 242, 243.
[149] McPherson, _History of the Reconstruction_, 140.
[150] McPherson, _History of the Reconstruction_, 194.
[151] Scott, _Reconstruction during the Civil War_, 290 ff.
[152] _House Journal_, 2d Session, 39th Congress, 12-23; McPherson,
_History of the Reconstruction_, 143-147.
[153] _House Journal_, 2d Session, 39th Congress, 15.
[154] The resolution passed the House on December 4, and the Senate on
December 5. _House Journal_, 2d Session, 39th Congress, 30; _Senate
Journal_, 2d Session, 39th Congress, 22.
[155] _Senate Journal_, 2d Session, 39th Congress, 202.
[156] _House Journal_, 2d Session, 39th Congress, 345.
[157] _Congressional Globe_, 2d Session, 39th Congress, 1074.
[158] _Congressional Globe_, 2d Session, 39th Congress, 1076.
[159] _Congressional Globe_, 2d Session, 39th Congress, 1360.
[160] _Ibid._, 1381-2.
[161] _Ibid._, 1360.
[162] _Congressional Globe_, 2d Session, 39th Congress, 1399.
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