SPEECH IN REPLY TO SENATOR LANE OF OREGON IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES, MARCH 3, 1861 SECESSION OF TENNESSEE, DOCUMENTS RELATING TO SPEECH ON THE WAR FOR THE UNION IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES, JULY 26, 27, 1861 SPEECH ON THE PROPOSED EXPULSION OF MR. JESSE D. BRIGHT IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE, JAN. 31, 1862. ORDER RELATING TO THE SETTLEMENT OF THE FREEDMEN. SPEECH TO THE NEGRO SOLDIERS, OCT. 10, 1865 CHAPTER I. 1808 TO 1833. HIS BIRTH - Orphanage - Apprenticeship - Early Struggles for knowledgeJourneyman - Goes to Greenville, Tenn. - Marries - Progress in Education - Rewards of Industry-- Alderman - In a Debating Society - His Little House on the Hill and his Great Book - Re-elected Alderman - Mayor for Three Terms - Views of Nullification in 1832. ANDREW JOHNSON was born at Raleigh, N. C., on the 29th of December, 1808. His father, a man in humble life, but of noble nature, dying fróm exhaustion, after having saved Colonel Thomas Henderson, editor of the Raleigh Gazette, from drowning, left his son an orphan, before he had completed his fifth year.* The sad event of his father's death made the energies of the child necessary to his own support, and a trade was the most reliable resource. He was accordingly, at the age of ten years, apprenticed to a tailor, in his native town. Thus commenced the struggle of the future patriot and President in the battle of life, the very outset of his manly career indicating the energy and self-reliance which has so distinguished it, and which offer such hopeful examples to the great mass of our youth, who can only be nerved for the life-struggle by stout hearts and honest purposes. * The following obituary notice of the father of the President, is taken from an old Raleigh (N. C.) paper, dated January 10, 1812: "Died, in this city, on Saturday last, Jacob Johnson, who had for years occupied a humble but useful station in Society. He was city constable, sexton, and porter to the State Bank. In his last illness he was visited by the principal inhabitants of the city, by all of whom he was esteemed for his honesty, industry, and humane and friendly disposition. Among all to whom he was known and esteemed none lament him more (except, perhaps, his relatives) than the publisher of this paper; for he owes his life, on a particular occasion, to the boldness and humanity of Johnson." At this period of his life the nature of Andrew Johnson unfolded itself, in the gradual development of characteristics which, under proper direction, are the sure guarantees of success to the possessor. While notably patient in the pursuit, and attentive to the routine of his occupation, he occasionally betrayed that waywardness which is a phase only of the self-will and resolution so attractively prominent in the lives of all self-made men. Even as a boy, Andrew Johnson could see no difficulties in the way of any purpose upon which he had cast his heart; could meet no oppression which his spirits would not surmount. He might be disappointed, but could not be defeated. If he were thwarted one day, he tried again the next. Obstacles only excited his energies, and where he tumbled to-day he would triumph to-morrow. These characteristics of boyhood are not without deep significance in contemplating the life of such a man as Johnson. He never had the benefit of one day's school routine in his life, and in no instance was the leading feature of his character more worthily brought into prominent action than in the determination to achieve by perseverance the benefits denied by poverty. The necessity which apprenticed him at such an early age, and the indenture which bound him, equally and effectually deprived him of all advantages for education. He saw this the boy craved for knowledge, and was resolved to attain some means to its possession-a resolution excited and concentrated by occurrences which are worthy of par ticular mention. There was at this time a gentleman in Raleigh who was in the habit of visiting the tailor's shop, and of reading aloud while the journeymen and apprentices were at work. His favorite book was a volume of speeches, embracing many of eminent British orators and statesmen; the beauties of which were enhanced by the admirable style and emphasis of the reader. Young Johnson became interested, and his |