V.

Last Years

After his return to Tennessee, Johnson was active in state politics. In 1872 he ran unsuccessfully for the office of congressman at large. Two years later he was elected to the U.S. Senate. Johnson was the only president to serve in the Senate after his White House tenure. On March 5, 1875, he took his seat, and on March 20, 1875, he delivered the last speech he was to make. He vigorously attacked President Grant’s policies and third-term ambitions. Johnson closed his speech with the words “Let peace and prosperity be restored to the land. May God bless this people; may God save the Constitution.”

Soon after, the Senate recessed, and Johnson returned to Tennessee. While visiting his daughter, he suffered a paralytic stroke. He died on July 31, 1875, and was buried in Greeneville.