Bummer’s Eastern Tennessee ancestor’s memories of Andrew Johnson are rife with tales of mistrust, insecurity, bribery, political intrigues and wavering loyalties, before the Civil War. It is evident that Johnson had the ability to overcome his humble beginnings with a “bluster from the stump,”that carried him into elected office, as early as 1830. His braggadocio did not deceive all the residents locally, accounts reflect that his stance against the pro-slavery aristocrats rallied many to his support. Johnson’s stature and journey as an elected official, is an example of the political machine of the time and proved that his history of graft and disloyalty kept him in public office. He served in the House of Representatives, Governor of Tennessee and when the state seceded from the Union, Johnson was a U.S. Senator. He was not only a slave owner and pro-slavery, but a Unionist Democrat and kept his seat in the Senate.He supported Lincoln and in 1862 he was appointed Military Governor of Tennessee and gave lip service to a reconstruction and emancipation policy.
Lincoln tapped Andrew Johnson to be his Vice Presidential candidate in 1864 and Johnson became President in 1865 when Lincoln was assassinated. The new President was way over his head politically and could not compete intellectually or psychologically with his executive peers. His lenient reconstruction policy outraged Republican Radicals and resulted in a resurgence of Southern White Supremacy. Andrew Johnson’s subservient relationship towards the ex-confederate leadership and aristocracy, racist tendencies and total disregard of Emancipation Enforcement led to impeachment proceedings. The removal of Johnson failed by one vote in the Senate and is said to have been influenced by a pay off.
Violence, murder, terrorism and near insurrection prevailed in the “old south.” The rampage continued until Ulysses S. Grant, as the new President, suspended habeas corpus, dispatched Union troops and arrested, convicted and temporarily halted the lawlessness.
Bummer
