ANDREW JOHNSON
Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee, nominated by the Baltimore Convention as
the Union candidate for Vice-President whose portrait we give on the preceding page
was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, on the 29th of December, 1808. When
ten years of age he was apprenticed to a tailor, and worked at that trade in South
Carolina until his seventeenth year. He never attended school, but acquired a good common
education by studying, after his marriage, under the direction of his wife. Having removed
to Greenville, Tennessee, he was elected Mayor of that place in 1830, was elected to the
State Legislature in 1835, and to the State Senate in 1841; and in 1843 became a
Representative in Congress, serving until 1853. During the latter year he was elected
Governor of Tennessee, and re-elected in 1855. In 1857 he was elected United States
Senator for the term ending in 1863, and at once became conspicuous for his solid sense
and sterling integrity. Upon the disclosure of the plans of the rebel conspirators he at
once took high ground in support of the Government, denouncing and opposing with great
bitterness and force the whole traitorous scheme. Upon the restoration of Tennessee he was
made Provisional Governor of the State, and in that capacity has rendered service of
immense value in establishing tranquility and order and defeating the manoeuvres of the
Secessionists of the State. Governor Johnson early saw that slavery was the cause and
strength of the rebellion, and, though always in former years a pro-slavery man, promptly
took ground in favor of the complete extermination of the system."Andy" Johnson, like Mr. Lincoln, is
emphatically a self-made man. He reflects directly, in his wonderful career, the genius of
our institutions, under which the humblest citizen may attain the highest honors of the
republic.
Articles relating to Johnson's Background:
Andrew Johnson (small bio)
June 25, 1864, page 402
The Union Nominations
June 25, 1864, page 402
President Andrew Johnson
May 13, 1865, page 289
The President and the Secretary
of State
May 20, 1865, page 306
Andrew Johnson
September 15, 1866, page 583
Andrew Johnson
September 15, 1866, page 584
The Vice-Presidency
September 14, 1867, page 578
The Vice-Presidency
December 7, 1867, page 770
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