A biography for Andrew Johnsonhasn’t been written yet.
“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.”
“Honest conviction is my courage; the Constitution is my guide.”
“If I am shot at, I want no man to be in the way of the bullet.”
“I feel incompetent to perform duties... which have been so unexpectedly thrown upon me.”
“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.”
“יש אנשים המפקפקים בזכות וביכולת של אנשים להגן על עצמם.”
“זה ברור שממשלת ארצות הברית מוגבלת, כמו כל שאר הממשלות אשר גם הן מוגבלות.”
“אין חוקים טובים מכאלו המבטלים חוקים אחרים.”
“לא, רבותיי, אם עומדים לירות עליי, אני לא רוצה ששום איש יעמוד בדרכו של הקליע.”
“I am sworn to uphold the Constitution as Andy Johnson understands it and interprets it.”
“Slavery exists. It is black in the South, and white in the North.”
“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.”
“There are no good laws but such as repeal other laws.”
“I hold it the duty of the executive to insist upon frugality in the expenditure, and a sparing economy is itself a great national source.”
“If the rabble were lopped off at one end and the aristocrats at the other, all would be well with the country.”
“The goal to strive for is a poor government but a rich people.”