on that floor-Johnson then planted himself upon the principles announced by General Jackson. He believed the positions then taken by the soldier of two wars for the independence of the United States, were the true doctrines of the Constitution, and the only doctrines upon which the Government could be preserved. From that period to the present, he has been uniformly opposed to the doctrine of secession or of nullification. He believed it a heresy in 1833, an element which, if maintained, would result in the destruction of the Government. In 1860-61 he maintained the same doctrine, and, in so maintaining, flung himself boldly and heroically against the traitor phalanx on the floor of the Senate.

2

CHAPTER II.

1834 TO 1845.

CONTINUED Confidence in Him- Elected to the Legislature Opposes the "Internal Improvement" Scheme - Its Temporary Popularity and His Defeat on the Issue - His Views Vindicated Re-election Presidential Elector-Elected to the State Senate Sent to the United States Congress

- Defends Jackson - Taxes and Texas-Favors Retrenchment and Annexation - Gallant Defence of the Catholics, and Advocacy of Civil and Religious Liberty.

THE results of Mr. Johnson's reforms in Greenville were extensively felt in the community, and his character received commensurate testimony of approval in the offices bestowed upon him. The County Court elected him a Trustee of Rhea Academy, which office he held until he entered the State Legislature.

Mr. Johnson took an active part in securing the adoption of the new Constitution (1834), which greatly enlarged the liberties of the masses, and guaranteed the freedom of speech and of the press; and through the earnest solicitations of the mechanics of Greenville, he was induced, in the summer of 1835, to offer himself as a candidate for the House of Representatives in the State Legislature. The district embraced the counties of Washington and Green; and his first opponent, Matthew Stephenson, was a worthy, highly respected gentleman, and a popular Whig politician; who had been in the Legislature, and was familiar with the people and the history of State legislation. The young Ex-Mayor knew nothing of the latter, and his knowledge of the people was confined mainly to Greenville. He, however,

announced himself as a Democrat, and while his friends and the young mechanics of the district, among whom his reputation had naturally extended, were ardent in his support, the old political leaders of the party, and those who exerted influence by reason of their wealth and social position, doubtfully shook their heads, and gave but little encouragement to the nomination.

With characteristic energy Mr. Johnson prepared for the contest, and almost immediately opened the campaign. At the first meeting all doubt of his capacity in the position, either as a speaker or tactician, vanished. Arraigning the political career of his opponent, he threw that gentleman completely and at once on the defensive; astonishing not only the audience, but Mr. Stephenson himself, by his knowl edge of his political life and acts. The advantage gained on the opening was daily improved by Johnson, until his competitor's chances were completely negatived, and finally resulted in an overwhelming defeat.

The Legislature assembled in October, 1835, and of course, Mr. Johnson took his seat at the opening of that deliberative body. With a commendable sense of selfrespect he was at first rather a silent member, watchful of the measures introduced, and attentive to the necessary rules and routine. The Constitution having been but recently amended, many difficult and perplexing questions arose on the re-organization of the State Government. These overcome, and having familiarized himself with the rules, Mr. Johnson assumed his share in the current debates, and commanded a consideration from all, that might well have inspired pride in older and more experienced members. He became especially prominent by his opposition to a vast scheme of so-called "internal improvements," which embraced a system of Macadamized and turnpike roads, and involved a State indebtedness of about four million dollars. He vigorously condemned the mammoth scheme; and in

the course of the discussion said: "That with the lights then before him, and in the absence of knowing what was the will of his constituents in regard to the creation of a large State debt, he felt it his duty to vote against the proposition; believing as he did, that before the creation of a large State indebtedness, such a proposition should be submitted to the whole people of the State for their cousideration and decision."

The scheme passed the Legislature and became a law, but Johnson remained opposed to it. He was not to be swerved from what he deemed a popular right on so important a State measure. Numerous works of improvement were immediately projected in various parts of the State, and large sums of money freely disbursed. The excitement thus created buoyed up the measure for some time on a high tide of popularity; yet it did not carry Johnson away. So able an advocate of the Homestead measure as Johnson, through conviction, always was, could not but be a friend to internal improvements; but the law he so persistently opposed was, as he viewed it, only "a system of wholesale. fraud." Before its evil results, which he prophesied, were manifest, an election for the next Legislature took place. Johnson was a candidate, and his opponent, Mr. Campbell, was a strong advocate of the policy of 1835, which temporarily carried every thing before it. Johnson, however, manfully stood by his convictions; brought the issue before the people, and after a fierce contest, he was defeated by a small majority.

As time passed on, his opposition on this point became more solidified. The Legislature met and adjourned, and again the two opposing candidates of 1837 were before the same constituency for re-election in 1839. The much applauded scheme of internal improvements had developed the evils predicted by Johnson four years previously. The State, in many instances, was defrauded by the companies,

and in others, the works were abandoned, while the public debt had been largely increased. Every thing conspired to fulfill the views asserted by Mr. Johnson, and as a consequence to reinstate him in the confidence of the masses. The election came off, and he was again returned to the Legislature. The reputation for sagacity and integrity then acquired in the community, and acknowledged by his re-election, has never since suffered any diminution in the State which has yielded him all the honors in her power.

In the famous Presidential campaign between Harrison and Van Buren, in 1840, Mr. Johnson's earnest power as a speaker recommended him as equal to the task of canvassing Eastern Tennessee in favor of the Democratic candidate. He served as Presidential Elector at Large, and met "on the stump" the leading Whig orators of the day, among whom were the Hons. E. H. Foster and John Bell; one of whom, at least, he subsequently met upon a greater and more clevated field, and before a more widely representative, even if smaller audience.

In the following year Hawkins and Green counties sent him to the State Senate by a majority of two thousand, and he signalized his term by the introduction of judicious measures for internal improvements in the eastern division of the State. That these met the approval of the people is shown by the fact that, in 1843, they desired his services on a broader field, and nominated him for Congress from the First District, which embraced seven counties. His antago nist was a United States Bank Democrat, a man of eloquence and capacity, Colonel John A. Asken. Johnson was elected, and taking his seat in the House of Representatives, in Washington, December, 1843, continued, by subsequent re-elections, to represent his district for ten years, during which period he distinguished himself in support of the bill refunding the fine imposed on General Jackson; the annexation of Texas; the war measures of Polk's administration;