Andrew Johnson Quotes
When I look at his gallant services, finding him first in the military school of the United States, educated at the expense of his country—taught to love the principles of the Constitution; afterwards entering its service fighting beneath the Stars and Stripes, ... I cannot understand how he can be willing to hail another banner, and turn from that of his country; .... If I could not unsheathe my sword in vindication of the flag of my country, ... I would return the sword to its scabbard; I would never sheathe it in the bosom of my mother. Never! Never! Never!
When Jefferson Davis accepted the presidency of the Confederacy, Johnson observed:
Andrew Johnson, 1808-1875, 17th President of the United States (War Democrat, TN), Speech, February 25, 1861
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
For variations on this theme see Stephen Decatur, Meyer London, Charles Churchill and Carl Schurtz
The motto was worn on their uniforms which unlike the blue of the rest of the American army was white as can be seen in the famous paining by muralist David R. Wagner. Rhode Island offered freedom to all slaves who would enlist. It not only included Negroes but Indian slaves as well. See {613949} and {614120} for details. The motto itself is interesting in that there was little concept of a country then as most Americans identified themselves as Virginians, New Yorkers or Rhode Islanders. There was no Constitution—only a confederation of States. But the former slaves joining the regiment had never voluntarily associated themselves with Rhode Island, and the first free decision they made was to join the regiment and have a new country.
He had been attacked by the extremists in his own party for serving as the Ambassador to China during a Democratic administration. Huntsman, fluent in Chinese and very familiar with Chinese culture, was a very successful Governor and was recognized by President Obama as being uniquely qualified and as a Patriot he made this great statement about service to country
Andrew Johnson was the 17th president of the United States, serving from 1865 to 1869. He assumed the presidency as he was vice president at the time of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Johnson was a Democrat who ran with Lincoln on the National Union ticket, coming to office as the Civil War concluded. He favored quick restoration of the seceded states to the Union without protection for the former slaves. This led to conflict with the Republican-dominated Congress, culminating in his impeachment by the House of Representatives in 1868. He was acquitted in the Senate by one vote.
