platform. We delighted to stop because one lived here whom we knew well
outside of school and made us welcome; one who would amuse us by his
social good nature, taking more than ordinary interest in us, and
catering to our pleasure."

Mr. Johnson, taking an interest in local politics, organized a
workingman's party in 1828, to oppose the 'aristocrat element,' which
had always ruled the town. Considerable excitement ensued, and Johnson
was elected an alderman by a large majority. He rose to be mayor, member
of the State legislature, and a representative in Congress, holding the
last office for ten years.

In 1853 he was elected governor, and re-elected in 1855. The contest was
exciting, and violence and threats of murder were frequent. At one
meeting Johnson appeared with pistol in his hand, laid it on the desk,
and said: "Fellow-citizens, I have been informed that part of the
business to be transacted on the present occasion is the assassination
of the individual who now has the honor of addressing you. I beg
respectfully to propose that this be the first business in order:
therefore if any man has come here to-night for the purpose indicated, I
do not say to him let him speak, but let him shoot." After pausing for a
moment, with his hand on his pistol, he said, "Gentlemen, it appears
that I have been misinformed. I will now proceed to address you upon the
subject that has brought us together."

Mr. Johnson's next office was as a member of the national Senate, where
he ably urged the passage of a bill granting to every settler 160 acres
of public land. When Tennessee passed the ordinance of secession he
remained steadfast for the Union. Although a Democrat, he had opposed
many of their measures in the interest of slavery, and now gravitated
toward the Republican party. In nearly every city of his native State he
was burned in effigy; at one time a mob entered a railroad train on
which he was known to be and attempted to take him, but he met them with
a pistol in each hand, and drove them steadily before him off the train.
His loyal sentiments, his efforts to aid Union refugees, and the
persecution he received at home commended him to the North. In 1862 he
was appointed military governor of Tennessee, in which position he
upheld the Federal cause with great ability and zeal. In the winter of
1861-2 large numbers of Unionists were driven from their homes in East
Tennessee, who sought refuge in Kentucky. Mr. Johnson met