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Andrew Johnson

Andrew Johnson Quotes

17th U.S. President

Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States, serving from 1865 to 1869. He played a key role in the post-Civil War Reconstruction era. As President, Johnson implemented a series of Reconstruction policies, but his conflict with Congress ultimately led to him becoming the first president in U.S. history to be impeached.

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Famous Andrew Johnson Quotes

“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.”

Source: The Papers of Andrew Johnson: May-August 1865

“Honest conviction is my courage; the Constitution is my guide.”

Honest Inspirational Life Constitution Conviction Guides Presidential

Book:The Papers of Andrew Johnson: February-July 1866

Source: The Papers of Andrew Johnson: February-July 1866

“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.”

Giving Government Political Liberty Principles Subjects Citizens Limits Authority Function Constitution Instruments Broads

Book:The Papers of Andrew Johnson: February-August 1867

Source: The Papers of Andrew Johnson: February-August 1867

“I am sworn to uphold the Constitution as Andy Johnson understands it and interprets it.”

Constitution Johnson

Author:Andrew Johnson

“When I die, I desire no better winding sheet than the Stars and Stripes, and no softer pillow than the Constitution of my country.”

Country Desire Dies Stars Constitution Patriotism Patriotic Patriot Sheets Pillow Stripes American Patriotic American Patriot Inspirational Patriotic

Author: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”

Government Father Space Constitution Slavery Destroyed

Author:Andrew Johnson

“Whenever you hear a man prating about the Constitution, spot him as a traitor.”

Men Constitution Spots Traitor

Author: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”

Made States Law Language United United States Land Judging Authority Constitution Bounds Contrary Supreme Latter Sovereignty Treaties

Book:The Papers of Andrew Johnson: September 1865-January 1866

Source: The Papers of Andrew Johnson: September 1865-January 1866