The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-11-30
Nashville.
Nashville.
Correspondence Of the Herald
NASHVILLE. (Tenn.l Nov. 16. 1874


NASHVILLE, (Tenn.) Nov l6. 1914.
Residence Of Mr.. Polk Village OF Columbia-Mr.
Po'k's Ea,iy Lifs-His Habits and Personal Ap-
peafance.
To THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK HERALD
DEAR SIR -
AS it is now settled by the sovereign people, from
whose decision there is no appeal, that Gov. Polk
is to be, for four years, President of the United
States, every thing relating to his LOCALE assumes
interest among his numerous constituents.
Having paid flying visit to Columbia, / EN-.
braced the opportunity of taking rough sketch OF
his residence. in connection with view of other
conspicuous buildings. In this sketchis seen Gov.
Folks private dwelling, plain and unpretending,
but commodious cottage, one story high, with a
handsome porlico standing out in the centre. The
house is built Of wood, neatly painted OF white
color, with green ventian window blinds. 1t is
situated at little distance from the street in the
midst of shady trees, and Towering shrubbery,
planted with taste and skill. The ground on which
the house stands is slightly elevated.
Nearly opposite Colonel Folks residence is seen
the fac and extensive building OF the Columbia
Female Institute" which is one OF the most -four
ishpg and respectable female academies in the
western country At The present time it is in
veryf ,urlshlng state, containing pupils from the
families Of many Of the most respectable planters
in the South and West This building, with Col.
Folks house, stand on a man street leading from
the south into the town. The view is taken from
the south, with the Court House and other build
ings ia the distance.
Columbia is beautiful village, the county seat
of Maury county, occupying elevated ground on
the south bank of Duck River, which is small
stream rising in the mountains OF Tennessee, emp.
tying into the Tennessee River, which in turn
Joins the Ohio al Smthland about fifty or Sixty
ia ~ -
Duck River flows through beautiful and rich
country of land, the finest in Middle Tennessee,
and equal TO any in the State. Maury county,
next to Davidson, of which Nashville is the chief
town, is the most populous and wealthy county in
the State. 1t contains about % 900 inhabitants.
This part OF Tennessee, well as the eastern por-
ton, was almost entirely settled by emlgrants from
North Carolina.
Col. Polk is q native of Mecklenburg county,
North Carolina. emgrating with his family when
quite young. He graduated at the University OF
North Carolina, at Chapel Hill, taking the highest
honOrs in his class. He studied law, and was ad-
John Bell were contemporaries at the Tennessee
bar, and it is said by old farmers that he was con-
sidered in most cases Bells superior at the bar.
His subsequent political career is fully known.
He was elected youag to his State Legislature
was afterwards sent for fourteen years TO Congress
from the district in which he resides, ano part oil
the time without opposition. He there became
Chairman of the Committee of WAYS and Means
~
then Governor OF his State-and was forty mine
years Of age the day Pennsylvania gave him hel
vote. being the youngest President ever elected in
the United States.
He is in all his habits strictly Temperance
man." and an anii-duellst on principle, which he
has always maintained. He is an energetic, for
chile, and even powerful speaker, when aroused
la hs manners aod private intercourse he is polite
and utfable and easy without affectation, plain
and unaffected in his dress. and rather retiring anC
modest IN his general department. but firm and en-
ergetic when placed in responsible public office
He carries clear and prudent head, and possesse.
mind OF an investigating and penetrating charac
ter. He is, upon the whole, man greatly under
rated by his opponents, and not fully known or up
precated by his political friends.
In person MIR. Polk is thin and light built, ant
stands about ieet inches In his Shoes You
would know hun were you to meet him, by som,
OF the best photographic llkenesses published during
the campaign, a remarkably fine one having beer
executed in Nashville and sent to New York. TIL,
expressive blue eyes--the finely cut and compress
ed lips, ali indicate the int elect, camness, beneyo
lence and frmness which characterize the man.
Mrs. Polk, bis lady, is o! the finest looking
United eiaies. She Is a native OF kutherfort
County, Middle Tennessee, having sprung from
highly respectable family residing near Murires
horo, in said county. She has evidently enjoyed
lne opportunities OF education, and has improved
them. She has correct and refined musical tast,
and performs well on the piano. She IS membe
| Of the Presbyterian church, but is no sectarian
being distinguished for her kind and tolerant senti
ments towards all who differ from her in religious
opinion. She is much beloved and respected By
all parties in politics and all sects in religion
When Mr. Polk resided in Nashville, as govcrno
Of the State, her society was much courted ant
sought after by the wings by the democrats
She has fine figure, about the middle height, ant
| her features are remarkably mild, regular and ex
pressive She appears to be not above thirty years
Of age. She will. preside at the White House,
| have no doubt, win distinguished honor and sue
cess. Col. Polk and his lady are without children
To say Col. Folks whole private lite is wlthou
reproaeh-- not only unImpeached but unimpeac
| able--is saying no more Than what is known ant
| admitted by all in Tennessee, to whom he is per
| sonaly known. II is too early to speculate abou
the composition Of his cabinet, the character o
his future administration. Such specuations, a
present, are idle, and can be INDUCED in at tn,
East as well as at the West.
He is, however, young President, the head o
the young democracy, liberal and practical in hi
views and wishes He will, have little donbt, &,
| for cheap postage a liberal commercial pscy-,
cheap land sale system, with strict accountable,
and economy in the administration of every de
| partment OF goverDment-stIong tor annexation
| and Oregon--and dead set against National Bank
the distribution Of the proceeds Of the public land
among the States, and the tariff Of AZ, as it is.
/ Hurrah Tor the young democracy