ost-marshal at Nashville, where Johnson resided during
his term as Governor. In that term Matthews and Johnson became
acquainted. When Johnson was on his way to Washington to take the oath
of office, he stopped at the Burnet House in Cincinnati. Matthews
called upon him. Matthews had been a Democrat until the troubles in
Kansas. In the conversation at the Burnet House Mr. Johnson made these
remarks, after some personal matters had been disposed of. I quote
from the testimony of Judge Matthews:

"I inquired as to the state of public feeling on political matters in
Tennessee at that time. He remarked that very great changes had
taken place since I had been there, that many of those who at first
were the best Union men had turned to be the worst rebels, and that
many of those who had originally been the worst rebels were now the
best Union men. I expressed surprise and regret at what he said in
reference to the matter.

"We were sitting near each other on the sofa. He then turned to me and
said, 'You and I were old Democrats.' I said, 'Yes.' He then said,
_'I will tell you what it is, if the country is ever to be saved, it is
to be done through the old Democratic Party.'_

"I do not know whether I made any reply to that, or, if I did, what it
was; and immediately afterwards I took my leave."

The larger part of this quotation is only important as leading up to
the phrase that is emphasized, and which may throw light upon Mr.
Johnson's policy and conduct when he came to the Presidency.

This conversation occurred in the month of February, 1865, and it must
be accepted as evidence, quite conclusive, that Mr. Johnson was then
opposed to the policy of the Republican Party, whose honors he had
accepted. In a party sense Mr. Johnson was not a Republican: he was a
Union Democrat. He was opposed to the dissolution of the Union, but
not necessarily upon the ground that the Union had a supreme right to
exist in defiance of what is called "State sovereignty." This with
the Republican Party was a fundamental principle. Under the influence
of the principles of the old Democratic Party Mr. Johnson advanced to
the Vice-Presidency, and while under the influence of the same idea he
became President.

When the Republican Party came to power, the State of Maryland, that
portion of Virginia now known as West Virginia, the State of Kentucky,
and the State of Missouri were largely under the influence of
sympathizers with t