The New York herald., 1844-11-16
Colonel Polk Mt Home.
From the News.l
NASHVILLE, TENN, Oct.

NASHVILLE, Tenn, Oct. Is, 1874.
| GRNTLRMKN:-l arrived In this town on the l4lh
instant from Bedford county, and left next morning
In the stage coach for Columbia, Maury county,
where spent day very pleasantly, having had
the pleasure OF taking tea with the Hen. James X.
We had for passengers on the way, Gao miles
over good turnpike) the Rev. Mr.. l., a
Presbyterian clergyman. and master Of female
Clarksvills, Tennessee, on their way to Florence,
Alabama to attend synod Of their church:
The conversation finally turned on politics, in
men the most bigoted and intolerant wings | had
ever yet travelled with. Their Reverenoes fiaally
became much excited. Mr.. -, the Judas
been infinitely better if the British had taken New
Orleans, OF that the city had been sunk into the
bottom OF the ocean, than that Gen. Jackson
should ever have become President by gaining the
victory ne did, or words to that effect. This as
sertion we defy the reverend gentleman TO
deny II he does, we can procure the Ger.
tlhcate OF his Scotch sister to prove it on him
What an opinion must he have of Gen. jackson?
Is ne such monster in human shape thatit would
have been better for British troops to have plum.
dered and burnt New Orleans. and rsvished the
women Of the city, or that 40 or $1,000 people
sea rather than Gen. Jackson should have hac the
glory and honor OF having obtained that immortal
victory!!
Entertaining such sentiments az these towards
the old patron hero, how can this reverend hypo-
crite, Il use strong language, justified conceive
by the circumstances Of the case,) have the ef
frontery to set at his table and partake of his hos
pltality under the assumed cloak of sincere friend
shp!!
Ifet indignant when heard such language es-
cape the lips of robed clergyman, and replied as
tollows:-
"Sir, such is the intolerant political bgotry of
some men, that believe whatever their positions
or professions in lite may be, they would be vii
ling TO worship at the footstoo Of Satan himself
rather than not succeed in eisvating their partisan
Col Polk, tor fourteen years, represented this dis
trct in Congress and part of the time without oppos
ton, Maury county sticking to him through evil
raliss in the village, composed of some merchants
lawyers, fnanciers, DC opposed to him on grounds
Of political differences alone. One Of these is
man who has made some $4,000 by shaving the
paper Of has neighbor, whom had talk with
They have always been true to their wrong fede
raj principles In years gone oy; voted against Col
Polk, and they will do no more now than what
they have always done. asked number of his
most violent opposers in Columbia what objections
they had TO Col. Polk that, if there was any.
thing wrsng in his whole private life, they, as his
nearest and oldest neighbors, ought to know it +?
They all, with one voice, 70 man, declared thai
Col Folks whole private life was one of the most
unspotted purity; that better master to his ser
wants, kinder or better neighber, or more affec
They regarded him, too, as man Of the highest
order OF talents; and opposed him solely on the
ground Of the measures he supported
There IS no lady in Tennessee more respected
Tennessean by BIRTH With splendid form, ac-
companied with the most intellectual, regular and
beautiful features, frem which beam intelligence,
kindness and benevolence. She is protesting
ana consistent Christian being a member OF the
Presbyterian church.
On reaching Columbia stepped across to the
Post Office, and had picked up newspaper, and
had commenced reading. After a time. a plain
hut WI lOnE
ed the room or anti room, TO enquire for his papers
and letters. As soon caught glimpse Of his
features. knew from the published hkenesses
had seen thatit was no other person than Colonel
Polk.
Having letter Of introduction, at once address
ed him as Col. Polk, handing the letters. He very
politely invlted me TO his neat, pretty, and well
furnished dwelling, where was introduced 10 hls
amlabe lady. spent very agreeable evening a,
nis hospitable board and firesde Col. Polk has
40 children The hkenesses you see Of him hard
Iy.. do justice to the strong marks Of in
tellectuailty of his face and head: With a
broad rising perpendicular forehead, the indi-
cations OF bene violence, veneration and firm
ness strongly developed, with caution and ccnscl-
ntiousness. His whole life has exhibited proofs
ot the existence Of these prominent traits OF his
mind. II were asked what one trait Of his mind
was most predominant, should say il was moral
courage" that rare kind Of courage which at all
lines, and under all circumstances, braves the
odium Of doing right. He has been all his life op
'0sed, on grounds of Christian morality, to the
principles Of duel.ing, and has frequently expressed
himself ON the stump. IN Tennessee, before the
before1he was nominated candidate for Presl-
dent Now, suppose, after publicly avowing, as
ne had done, his opposition to duelling, he had
sent Mr.. Wise challenge for improperly calling in
question the impartial discharge of his official du
les, meeting him in deadly combat-woud he MOI
nave shown a want of moral courage! Would he
aot have belied all his former professions oil
opinion And wsuld not his opponents have
nPOu fOYu Ia ncR mat
with all the bitterness OF party spirit ? Col. Polk
aever during his whole hie bet sixpence on cards,
horse racing, or any other chance game. And
Jrobably at this day does not know one card from
another. He has all his life been strictly TEN
Jerate man in all things, and few men, public OF
private, can show a life more pure, more consis-
tent
Without stain, and without reproach"
He is modest and retiring man by nature, yet
no man exhibits greater industry, energy, prompt
ness, despatch, and lmpartallty, when once in Of
hcc, than Col. Polk He never sought the distln-
suished Office for which the democratic party have
dominated him. No act Of his life has been per
formed with aview OF acquiring that Office Yet il il
curious circumstance In the annals OF political war
fare, that during 50 long official servitude as
performed by Col Polk, as member Of Congress.
as Speaker Of the House of Representatives, at
Governor OF Tennessee, so few of his political acts
afford any OF pretence for attack the part OF
his most violent political opponents. We know OF
no other such instance on record. He probably
nation. The democrats had mass meeting in hls
own town. and begged him TO attend, if only for
one moment that they might cheer him, and b.
cheered by his presence; but This kind request he
lnodesy declined, remaining at home, and devo-
ting his attention 10 his domestic affairs all day
How strongly does such conduct contrast with that
Of Governor Jones, his political and probably his
On personal enemy in the whole State of Ten
nessee, who never loses an occasion of mounting
the stump and breathing the most unfounded and
malignant deDunciations against him, while h.
Knows under the circumstances, reply is inpossi-
BILE from Col Polk
When the Roorback forgery reached Tennessee,
so shameful was the hellish SANDER that even the
whlg papers in Tennessee refused TO re-publish it,
knowing it would, in that State, do Colonel Polk
more goodman harm. An old whg friend carried
Col. Polk paper containing il, and expressed the
strongest indignation at the ulterancc Of such an
outrageous slander.
Col. Polk himself was the most unconcerned man
in the community about il, and was perfectly willing