Page "Andrew Johnson" Paragraph 32

The Whigs thought Andrew Johnson a dangerous prospect as a United States Senator, and made it a priority to prevent his election by the state legislature.

Johnson, aware of the uphill battle, interjected himself into the campaigns for the legislature in the election of 1857.

Though his party won the governor's race and control of the legislature, Johnson still had to overcome considerable opposition from the conservatives in both parties.

His final biennial speech as Governor was pivotal, and he used it to recapitulate his populist philosophy of government.

Two days later the legislature elected the outgoing governor to the U. S. Senate.

The opposition was appalled, with the Richmond Whig for example, referring to him as " the vilest radical and most unscrupulous demagogue in the Union.