Andrew Johnson Quotes


WHEREAS, Certain persons, unfriendly and hostile to the Government of the United States, have banded themselves together, and are now going at large through many of the counties in this State, arresting, maltreating and plundering Union citizens wherever found; Now, therefore, I, ANDREW JOHNSON, Governor of the State of Tennessee, by virtue of the power and authority in me vested, do hereby proclaim that in every instance in which a Union man is arrested and maltreated by the marauding bands aforesaid, five or more rebels from the most prominent in the immediate neighborhood shalt be arrested, imprisoned, and otherwise dealt with as the nature of the case -may require ; And further, in all cases in which the property of citizens loyal to the Government of the United States is taken or destroyed, full and ample remuneration shall be made to them out of the property of such rebels in the vicinity as have sympathized with, and given aid, comfort, information or encouragement to the parties committing such depredations.


Context

Johnson was then Governor or Tennessee. Extremist Southerners physically attacked even civilian “Unionists” who lived in Tennessee. Singled out as victims were Federal officials from postal workers to soldiers off duty and federal judges and court employees. Johnson would not tolerate such behavior, and this proclamation is an example of his crackdown. He himself was a Unionist and called anyone advocating secession guilty of treason. This is what made him a good ticket balance for Abraham Lincoln in the election of 1964 and eventually propelled him to the Presidency.


Citations

Andrew Johnson, 1808-1875, 17th President of the United States (War Democrat), May 9, 1862

Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations

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Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson
  • Born: December 29, 1808
  • Died: July 31, 1875
  • Nationality: American
  • Profession: President

Andrew Johnson was the 17th president of the United States, serving from 1865 to 1869. He assumed the presidency as he was vice president at the time of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Johnson was a Democrat who ran with Lincoln on the National Union ticket, coming to office as the Civil War concluded. He favored quick restoration of the seceded states to the Union without protection for the former slaves. This led to conflict with the Republican-dominated Congress, culminating in his impeachment by the House of Representatives in 1868. He was acquitted in the Senate by one vote.