Spring Discovery Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/12/2013
ALS by Johnson in Response to a Speaking Engagement
This is an ALS Johnson wrote from "Greenville, Tenn." dated "June 26th, 1869." In it Johnson responds to a political committee concerning a planned address in Smith County, TN. He writes, "Gentleman. In compliance with your request I will address the people of Smith County at Carthage on Tuesday 20th of July(1869) if agreeable to the committee. If that day is not suitable they will please advise me as soon as convenient - since I had the pleasure of an interview with you at Gallatin I feel well satisfied that there is a great change going on in the public mind and if there is a reasonable effort made the state can be redeemed. Accept assurances of my esteem." Johnson has signed boldly in black ink, "Andrew Johnson."
This is a scarce look into Johnson's post-Presidential career in Tennessee politics. Leaving the White House in March, the much-maligned Johnson returned to Tennessee to run for the state Senate. Johnson attempted to navigate a neutral course between former Confederates and the Radical Republicans in the state. This was in essence a microcosm of the situation he had just left in Washington. Tennessee escaped military rule during Reconstruction and had already returned to the Union by the time Johnson returned home. Johnson himself campaigned for centrist Republicans in the summer of 1869, facing down angry threats of ex-Confederates. Johnson's hopes were well-founded and the radicals were defeated by the moderates both for the governorship and the legislature. Unfortunately for Johnson, he was defeated for the Tennessee Senate by a narrow margin, partly due to the fact that neither Radical nor Secessionist could stomach him.
Size is 5 inches x 8 inches, in Excellent condition, with some light toning.
Andrew Johnson ALS in Response to a Speaking Engagement
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