Andrew Johnson Monument, Carthage
The monument consists of a large rectangular slab of granite standing about ten feet tall, with a large bronze plaque. Centered at the top of the plaque is a bas-relief portrait of Andrew Johnson facing to the right. Engraved under the portrait are words from the people of Carthage celebrating Johnson for his actions during Reconstruction.
ERECTED BY THE CITIZENS OF MOORE COUNTY IN HONOR OF / ANDREW JOHNSON / SEVENTEENTH PRESIDENT / OF THE UNITED STATES / ONE TIME RESIDENT OF CARTHAGE / A STALWART UNION MAN, YET HE THREW HIMSELF / INTO THE BREACH AS A BULWARK, IN FAVOR OF / THE PROSTRATE SOUTH AGAINST FANATICISM IN THE BITTER DAYS OF RECONSTRUCTION. / LET HIS MEMORY BE EMBALMED / IN EVERLASTING FAME.
The Town of Carthage
Sometime after 1922
35.345660 , -79.416810
"Andrew Johnson," WhiteHouse.gov, (accessed December 28, 2012) Link
"Andrew Johnson," Markeroni.com, (accessed December 28, 2012) Link
Case, Steven. "Andrew Johnson," NCPEDIA, (accessed December 28, 2012) Link
County of Moore North Carolina. "The Historic Courthouse," Our History, (accessed December 28, 2012) Link
Yes
Mount Airy granite and bronze
The citizens of Carthage, NC
The date and activities of the dedication are not known. The monument appears in photographs of the historic Moore County courthouse built in 1922. However, it does not appear in photographs of the prior courthouse which burned. The monument appears to have been erected sometime after 1922.
Andrew Johnson, who once resided in Carthage, NC, was the 17th President of the United States of America. He succeeded President Abraham Lincoln after his assassination. Although a Unionist during the Civil War, he adopted policies during Reconstruction after the war that were applauded by many white southerners. He did not promote the rights of the recently freed slaves and granted lenient terms to many former Confederates. Eventually, Johnson was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives but was acquitted by the Senate.
The monument sits in front of the east entrance to the historic courthouse in Courthouse Square in Carthage. Courthouse Square is located along NC Route 24/27.
The monument sits on the lawn between the traffic circle and the courthouse.
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