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Johnson purchased a large farm near Greeneville on which he intended to make his home. Many people expected Johnson to run to be Tennessee's governor again or to attempt a return to the Senate. There were rumors that he would become a railroad executive. Johnson soon missed the excitement of national politics. His life was marred by personal tragedy in 1869 when his son Robert committed suicide.
Johnson still harbored feelings of resentment against his political enemies. This, coupled with his boredom in Greeneville and his grief over the loss of his son all combined to motivate him to seek a return to political life on the national stage. He decided to launch a Senate bid. Tennessee was under Republican control at the time, but court rulings restored the vote to some former confederates, and violence from the Ku Klux Klan discouraged greater voter turnout among the African-American community. All of this portended a return to Democratic control in the legislature and this is what occurred in August 1869. Many predicted that Johnson would be a likely winner in the Senate election, but Johnson had political enemies not only in the Republican Party, but also among some Democrats because of his wartime collaboration with the Union. Johnson came within a single vote of victory in the legislature's balloting for Senator, but he lost to Republican Henry Cooper.
Johnson tried for a return to congress again in 1872, when there was a special election for an at-large congressional seat for Tennessee. Johnson initially sought the Democratic nomination, but when he saw that it would go to former Confederate general Benjamin F. Cheatham, he decided to run for the seat as an independent. He finished third in the voting, but he split the Democratic Party's vote and his old Unionist ally, Horace Maynard, was elected to the seat.
In 1873 Johnson was ill with cholera, contracted during an epidemic. He recovered from the illness, only to face a financial trial. The First National Bank of Washington failed during a nation-wide "panic" and Johnson lost about $73,000, although he was eventually able to recover much of the money. He began looking towards the next Senate election, which was to take place in early 1875. Johnson sought support from the farmers' Grange movement and he was able to obtain their support. He spoke throughout the state in his final campaign tour. In the Tennessee legislative elections in August, the Democrats elected 92 legislators to the Republicans' eight. When the balloting for the Senate seat began on January 20, 1875, Johnson led with 30 votes, but did not have the required majority. Five other Democrats were also seeking the post. Johnson's opponents tried to combine to block his nomination, but failed. Johnson was elected on January 26 on the 54th ballot, by a single vote. When he learned of the news, he said "Thank God for the vindication."
Johnson returned to the Senate and was sworn in on March 5, 1875. He was snubbed by many Republicans, but others like Ohio's John Sherman shook his hand. To this day, Johnson remains the only former president to serve in the Senate. (John Quincy Adams was elected to the House of Representatives after his presidency). Johnson spoke only once during the session, on March 22, criticizing President Ulysses Grant for his use of federal troops in support of Louisiana's Reconstruction government. Johnson asked, "How far off is military despotism?"
Johnson returned home after the session concluded. In late July, he traveled to Ohio, intending to campaign on behalf of the Democratic candidate for governor. He began the trip on July 28, and broke the journey at his daughter Mary's farm near Elizabethton, Tennessee, where his daughter Martha was also staying. That evening he suffered a stroke, but refused medical treatment. The next day, when he did not improve, two doctors were sent for from Elizabethton. Johnson's condition seemed to improve, but suffered another stroke on the evening of July 30. He died early the following morning, July 31, 1875, at the age of 66. At the time, Johnson had been the only surviving former President. Johnson's funeral was held on August 3 in Greeneville. He was buried with his body wrapped in an American flag and a copy of the U.S. Constitution placed under his head, according to his wishes.
Johnson is most remembered for his role in Reconstruction and his battles with the Radical Republicans. Most portrayals of him are of someone who was obstinate and who saw compromise as a sign of weakness. He did not show any willingness to work with Congress, even when moderate senators and representatives asked him to make modest concessions. He is often listed among the worst presidents in history, although as his biographer Annette Gordon-Reed has observed, "there have never been more difficult times in the life of this nation. The problems these men had to confront were enormous." Johnson's transition from a poor fatherless child, on the run from an indenture, to holding the highest office in the nation is especially deserving of recognition. His courageous stand in favor of the union at great personal risk also speaks to his strong character. Whatever his personal faults may have been, Andrew Johnson held a strong set of personal beliefs and principles that he adhered to during the toughest of times, and this characteristic is certainly an important aspect of his legacy.
Books about Andrew Johnson:
Andrew Johnson: A Biography by Hans Trefousse
The Presidency of Andrew Johnson by Gordon Castel
Impeached by David O. Stewart (reviewed here)
The Avenger Takes His Place by Howard Means
Andrew Johnson and Reconstruction by Eric L. McKitrick
The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson by Chester Hearn
Andrew Johnson (American Presidents Series) by Annette Gordon-Reed
Tomorrow: James Garfield