The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-02-15
Progress or the President Elect
[Frsm our Travelling Correspondent
WASHINGTON, ID. c.. Feb. Ia. 1919.

EDITOR OF THE HERALD
We left Cumberland this morning at A. M A
crowd of people gathering round the cars to see the
President leave. We moved of amidst their en-
thusiastic cheers. At the Hancock station, the
President went on to the platform of the car, and
spoke to number Of people who had assembled to
see him.
The next point of interest was Martinsburg, in
Berkeley county, in Va, named after Gov. Berkeley
of that State, when colony. II was for long
time the frontier county OF the State A large
composed principally Of farmers. Amore exciting,
enthusiastic, voclterous cheering, never witnessed
" Three cheers" all would sing out. Huzza,
huzza, huzza"-'' three more"-"hurra, hurra,
hurra"-so they went on till it seemed to me they
would split their throats. These people are hot
blooded Vlrglnlans, and some allowance must be
made tor their uproarious EXPLANATIONS and excite
ment.
The President shook hands with as many as the
steam whistle would permit, when giving notice TO
clear the track Some one. cried out, "Never
mind Gov. Polk, we are coming to Washington to
you inaugurated % The President said, g he
would be most happy to meet them al any time"
hlZ, whlZ, squee, squee, squee"-screamed
the whistle and steam, which with the "tavern
gong," can evidently be heard to some extent, by
man too deaf to hear thunder. Away we went
at q rapid rate, the President and friends all
seated in a car expressly provided for them.
The next place we came to was Harper's Ferry
scene
a scene OF crowdng and cheering, that beggars de.
scrption. do not know where 10 begin or where
to end Here committee from Baltimore met the
President, composed of Mr.. Giles and other gentle
to vlsit Baltimore, but without success, az all
HIS prior arrangements were made to 60 from
the "relay house" direct to Washington.
II was with the greatest difficulty the President
and friends could reach the dinner table at the Vir
gina House. The conductor would only give US
twenty minutes In which to swallow our food |,
with friend or two, could find place to eat ex
cept near the foot OF the table, which The servants
Lad deserted TO see the President and lady near
the head. Mrs, Folks servant woman was seated
in our vicinity at a side table, whom two very
pretty and very inquistiye white young ladies' were
waiting, who, it seemed to me, had volunteered
their services on this occasion as maids of honor
in order 10 hear and see every thing that might
iranspire One OF them goes up to Mrs. p IS ser
yant woman, and says, "Hew many servants has
Mrs. Polk travelling with her?" 'sOnly one, ma
dam, and that's me-" Law me, ! thought she
would have had half dozen'' number Of 9th
er questions were put and answered. which have
not time 10 report As soon as Mrs. Polk rose from
the table, number of ladies' approached her and
were introduced to her. The ladies' appear as
anxious to see and speak to Mrs. Polk, as the men
OF all parties were to see and shake hands with the
Colonel. Mrs. P. received them with an ease and
grace, an unaffected natural simplicity, truly ad-
mirable.
A heavy piece Of ordnance, stationed on high
hill overlooking the town, the echoes of which
mantle spot, like. peals of thunder. The Pres-
dent and his friends soon all re-entered the car
He remained on the platform, and shook hands,
az the steam engine gave shrlll sound, which at
ell times proves an effectua "ca of the previous
question:, cutting off all debate. AS the cars NOV
ed, again went up three times three huzZas, from
two to three thousand voices. Away we went, in
rapid style, the clever Baltimore committee ma
king themselves agreeable to the President and
lady.
Finally, we arrived at the Frederick turn ont.
where the cars halted tor few moments TO ex-
change passengers. To our surprise, however, we
found large and enthusiastic crowd assembled at
this spot, including committee from the town of
Frederick, headed by Madison Nelson, Esq, bro
ther, II Is said Of the Attorney General.
The President appeared before them on the plat
form, when they gave him three hearty cheers
This over, Mr.. Nelson commenced a very elo.
quent speech, not dreaming, suppose, that the
steam engine might, In a twinkling, enforce, not
Its hour rule, but minute rule. Speeches cannot be
heard and answered in twinkling. Mr.. Nelson
had evidently prepared himself with very able,
stirring and effective speech. He said he was de-
who had prepared sumptuous entertainment, to
which he was authorized most cordially TO invite
the President, Sir, congratulate you and the
country on the success of the democratic princi-
pies in your elevation to the proudest station
known among the nations Of the earth. Having
admiree the frmness and patriotism OF Old Hick-
DRY, who safely steered the ship OF state through
the most stormy period of our country's history,
we have full faith in you, as a scion OF the same
noble tree, to conduct the affairs Of the country
with the same wisdom and success that immortal
lied the Hero of the Hermitage" Here that eier-
nal loud-screamng steam whistle, that waits not
for the tide and time in the affairs OF any man, sud-
denly convinced Mr.. Nelson that h., must be anna
zingIy brief The cars moved off just as he had
uttered the list word OF his speech. He looked
aghast-for Col Polk to make any sort OF reply was
utterly impossible. The car had moved rod. All
he coeld do was to make some very civil bows
The people gave three cheers, when, In moment
fha tCAo tr.t
lie had made an effectual call for the previous
question, and there was no appeal,
, MT. Nelson's speech, the promise OF dinner to
the President, if he would visit Frederick, all, all
stands, OF necessity, unanswered postponed at
east-not by the hour, but by the whistle rule.
AT Ellicotfs Mills there was another large crowd.
Another loud three times three, cheering, and
bowling of the President The whistle rule, how
The Relay House. Here was another uproari-
Gus demonstraton--a perfect match for the best
specimen OF Tammany Hall, National Hall,
first met office seekers in any considerable
sprinkled with admixture Of !" Chepaiiers d. in
iustris," alias pickpockets About one thousand
people had come up In chartered train to meet
he President. Others met him there from WASH
ngton. The President was received with shouts,
strong enough TO have Frustrated the walls OF a
cathedral. cannon joined Its roar to the general
slater, hurraing, shouting, whooping and bawling.
Mr.. Stewart, lawyer, addressed the President in
trains, which mans ears on earth could not hear
en- steps off, The President replied in somewhat
ouder voice, which is always clear, distinct, and
is audible as a new bell; but now, we had two
" three steam whistles all squealing at once, with
IN uproar OF human voices, equal to the confusion
Vt tongues ut Baba l, therefore, could not even
rear Col. Polk, who had seldom failed in do
ng previously.
The " specialization" over, which, on such
occasions IL, of necessity has 10 be genera-to
mean nothing whaever-it was announced that
Mr. Dallas had arrived in Baltimore, and would be
long IN the Washington cars, joining the Pres-
lent at the Relay-housc.
In ten or fifteen minutes more, the engine came
ufiing and whstilng forward at great rate.
Mr. Dallaa-v .a Mr. DslIsa vss haayd IN ali