Andrew Johnson quotes

Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States, ascending to office after Abraham Lincoln's assassination. His presidency was marked by significant challenges during the Reconstruction era. He faced considerable opposition and was the first American president to be impeached by the House of Representatives. Here are 43 of his quotes:

The goal to strive for is a poor government but a rich people. (Andrew Johnson)
No, gentlemen, if I am to be shot at, I want no man to be in the way of the bullet. View quote
Andrew Johnson
I hold it the duty of the Executive to insist upon frugality in the expenditures, and a sparing economy is itself a great national resource. View quote
Andrew Johnson
Outside of the Constitution we have no legal authority more than private citizens, and within it we have only so much as that instrument gives us. This broad principle limits all our functions and applies to all subjects. View quote
Andrew Johnson
Whenever you hear a man prating about the Constitution, spot him as a traitor. View quote
Andrew Johnson
There are no good laws but such as repeal other laws. View quote
Andrew Johnson
It's a damn poor mind that can only think of one way to spell a word. View quote
Andrew Johnson
I have lived among negroes, all my life, and I am for this Government with slavery under the Constitution as it is. I am for the Government of my fathers with negroes. I am for it without negroes. Before I would see this Government destroyed I would send every negro back to Africa, disintegrated and blotted out of space. View quote
Andrew Johnson
Slavery exists. It is black in the South, and white in the North. View quote
Andrew Johnson
If you could extend the elective franchise to all persons of color who can read the Constitution of the United States in English and write their names and to all persons of color who own real estate valued at not less than two hundred and fifty dollars and pay taxes thereon, and would completely disarm the adversary. This you can do with perfect safety. And as a consequence, the radicals, who are wild upon negro franchise, will be completely foiled in their attempts to keep the Southern States from renewing their relations to the Union. View quote
Andrew Johnson
Notwithstanding a mendacious press; notwithstanding a subsidized gang of hirelings who have not ceased to traduce me, I have discharged all my official duties and fulfilled my pledges. And I say here tonight that if my predecessor had lived, the vials of wrath would have poured out upon him. (Andrew Johnson)
I must be permitted to say that I have been almost overwhelmed by the announcement of the sad event which has so recently occurred. I feel incompetent to perform duties so important and responsible as those which have been so unexpectedly thrown upon me. View quote
Andrew Johnson
"The sovereignty of the States" is the language of the Confederacy, and not the language of the Constitution. The latter contains the emphatic words - This Constitution and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made or which shall be made under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land, and the judges in every State shall be bound thereby, anything in the constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding. View quote
Andrew Johnson
I am a-goin' for to tell you here to-day; yes, I'm a-goin for to tell you all, that I'm a plebian! I glory in it; I am a plebian! The people - yes, the people of the United States have made me what I am; and I am a-goin' for to tell you here to-day - yes, to-day, in this place - that the people are everything. View quote
Andrew Johnson
This is your country as well as anybody else's country. This country is founded upon the principle of equality. He that is meritorious and virtuous, intellectual and well informed, must stand highest, without regard to color. View quote
Andrew Johnson
Honest conviction is my courage; the Constitution is my guide. View quote
Andrew Johnson
I feel incompetent to perform duties...which have been so unexpectedly thrown upon me. View quote
Andrew Johnson
Legislation can neither be wise nor just which seeks the welfare of a single interest at the expense and to the injury of many and varied interests. View quote
Andrew Johnson
My right side is paralyzed. I need no doctor. I can overcome my own troubles. View quote
Andrew Johnson
I have reached the summit of my ambition. View quote
Andrew Johnson
Tyranny and despotism can be exercised by many, more rigorously, more vigorously, and more severely, than by one. (Andrew Johnson)
I am sworn to uphold the Constitution as Andy Johnson understands it and interprets it. View quote
Andrew Johnson
Who, then, will govern? The answer must be, Man - for we have no angels in the shape of men, as yet, who are willing to take charge of our political affairs. View quote
Andrew Johnson
Colored men of Tennessee, humble and unworthy as I am, if no better shall be found I will indeed be your Moses and lead you through the Red Sea of war and bondage to a fairer future of liberty and peace. I speak now as one who feels the world his country and all who love equal rights his friends. View quote
Andrew Johnson
Legislation can neither be wise nor just which seeks the welfare of a single interest at the expense and to the injury of many and varied interests at least equally important and equally deserving the considerations of Congress. View quote
Andrew Johnson