Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1905 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VII THE ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THE PRESIDENT The mind of Andrew Johnson made up in intensity what it lacked in breadth. As one said of him, he knew no book except the Constitution, and that he loved with all his soul. With the rugged aggressiveness which was a part of his nature Johnson made up his mind as to the proper course to be pursued and pursued it unflinchingly. It would have helped him greatly had he made it clear at the time, as investigation now makes it clear, that his plan of restoration of the Southern States was practically identical with that of his lamented predecessor; for he had not only followed the policy of Lincoln, but the advice of the Cabinet which he had inherited. The propriety of announcing this never occurred to Johnson and if it had it is doubtful whether he would have made the declaration. To him the plan was right, and that was enough. On the other hand, if it had been wrong, the authority of Lincoln would not have commended it to him. To Johnson not less than to Lincoln the existence of the States was essential to the existence of the Union, and as representing the president in this first State reconstruction he probably knew his views better than almost anyone else. While governor of Tennessee he had vigorously protested against the theory that a State could by secession or in any other way relapse into a territory subject to the disposition of Congress. The famous decision of Chief Justice Chase, somewhat later, that the United States were "an indissoluble Union of indestructible States" was more pithy, but hardly more definite in principle than Johnson's first annual message. In that he said: "States, with proper limitations of power, are essential to the existence of the Constitution of the United...