Page "Andrew Johnson" Paragraph 24

Johnson's third term in Congress found him stiffening in his opposition to non essential government spending, from expenses of the new Smithsonian Institute to the purchase of portraits for the White House.

As well, discussions of slavery were becoming progressively acrimonious, and he remained immovable in his support of the " peculiar institution '.

Johnson departed from his southern allies supporting slavery when he maintained that slavery was essential to the very preservation of the Union.

In the presidential election in 1848, the Democratic Party split over the slavery issue, with the abolitionists leaving the party and forming the Free Soil Party, and making Martin Van Buren their nominee.

Johnson supported the Democratic nominee, Lewis Cass, who thought it up to the people in each state to decide on the issue.

With the party split, Whig nominee Zachary Taylor was easily victorious, and carried Tennessee as well.

Johnson, in the face of the national mania over new railroad construction, and in response to the need in his own district for additional mode of transportation, found himself moderating in his opposition to them.

Thus, he supported funding to the state to assist the expansion of the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad.

During this term Johnson also made a concerted effort to increase his sphere of interactions ; his higher profile was exemplified by a biographical sketch published in the New York Times in May 1849, describing him as an excellent committee worker and investigator.

It was also during this time that Johnson purchased a newspaper named the Greeneville Spy.