Andrew Johnson's inaugural address as vice president is often described as a chaotic spectacle, with the man purportedly drunk during the event. Reports indicate that he had been drinking heavily for at least a week leading up to the ceremony. On the morning of March 4, 1865, he reportedly consumed either three glasses of whiskey or a glass of French brandy.
Witnesses and correspondents from various publications characterized Johnson's speech with terms like hostile, incoherent, and repetitive. The scene was so disjointed that he even kissed the Bible while taking the oath of office. In his inebriated state, he was unable to administer the oath of office to incoming United States Senators.
The incident was somewhat hidden from the public eye, with some newspapers glossing over the details or suggesting that the speech was inaudible. There is no known transcript of his address, and the Congressional Globe's editors were persuaded to provide a more dignified version of events. President Abraham Lincoln, who was present for part of the speech, later instructed the inaugural marshal to prevent Johnson from speaking outside.
Lincoln reportedly pointed out to Johnson that Frederick Douglass was in the audience, an observation that Douglass described in his autobiography, highlighting Johnson's drunkenness. Although both the U.S. Cabinet and Congress expressed concern about Johnson's behavior, no actions were taken against him. This speech was a precursor to Johnson's tumultuous presidency, which began just 42 days later after Lincoln's assassination.
In the wake of his address, a parodic song about Johnson's drunken performance was even performed in Washington. While Johnson spent much of the following month recovering at a friend's home, the incident heavily impacted his political career. Commentators and political cartoons during the Reconstruction era often referenced his alleged alcoholism. Some historians have since attempted to downplay the event, claiming it was a result of medicinal alcohol taken during an illness.
Ultimately, the drunken address marked a significant moment in American political history, illustrating how a moment of folly can overshadow a career.
