Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1845-02-22
Hhe Movemen,. of the President Elect.

aud every little incident is noted and comm sn.
ted upon with degree Of particularly that ga
vors much Of tho fusomness and fattery with
which European journals record the movements
of royalty. No man, probably, laughs more at
this sycophancy than Col. Polk himself. a
few incidents Of an amusing character occurred,
on tho way to Washington city, which we copy.
A Scene at Guydndot. Among o hers, came
the old Postmaster, who made up 10 the i'resi.
dent in very open and frank manner, offering
his hard, which Col. Polk very politely rcce-
we'd. Says the old man, addressing him, go
vernon Polk, am glad to see you. although
voted against you. have been 26 years Post
master at Guyandot. sinned once, and Amos
Kendall turned me out; l.; repcn,ed and WIS
restored to my office. I now hold il, or shall
soon do so, at your good pleasure, and am ready
10 yield it whenever required"
The President replied, that hs considered the
right of every man to his own opinions, honest.
y formed, and to think for himself q sacred
right, ond therefore thought none the less of him
for having voted against him and he was ready
to believe the office of Postmaster at Guyandot
was in very safe hands "But as the office of
President, as well as that of Postmaster, was
created by the people for their own convenience,
and not for you and me, who may happen TO Gil
them, we alone are responsible to the people,
under the Constitution, for the faithful manner
in which we discharge our duties" This
speech, delivered by the President, seemed to
strike the old Postmaster with great force. go
vernon, give me your hand theln's my rent-
ments and | believe in my soul if | had only
seen you five minutes before the election
should have given you my vote" This caused
q general laugh, in which the President cordial.
ly joned.
The old man leh, expressing much satisfac-
ton at finding the President "such q confoun.
ded clever man." as he termed it, He was soon
followed by others, rather awkward looking and
uncouthly dressed, hardy mountaineers, who
seemed as though they had just arrived in Guy
an, as the mountain folks call the town, the
'Gretna Green between the States of Virginia
and Kentucky.
They entered the cabin in Indian file, kept
their hats on, which cast a shadow over their IL
mid bat healthy and honest looking faces The
foremost Of the lot plucked up courage enough
to approach the President, who met him more
than half way, with as much ease and grace as
if his visitor had been Prince. The poor fp-
low was so much embarrassed, that he wholly
forgot TO take off his hat, which remained as
fast to his head as though it had grown there
On seeing this man with his hat on, while the
President was bowing to him, bare headed, the
rest of his companions cried out, "Take off your
hat-"pull off your hat" which had no other
effect than still further to bewilder the poor
man. who, abruptly quilted the President, made
precipitate retreat out Of the cabin, while his
more assured companions set up general twit
ter. The latter were then approached by the
President, and each one in his turn kindly ad
dressed by him. A little girl was led on board
and conducted into the saloon to see Mrs. Polk
These presentations being over, sbservedtwo
fat, round, chubby-faced mountain boys dressed
in warm, homespun jeans. One appeared to be
or years old, and the other ten or twelve
The latter said they were democratic boys, and
called to see the President. The Colonel OBJ
serving them al distance, and guessing at
their desire to see him. walked down to the ca
bin and allectiouately took each by the hand, in
qnired kindly after their friends and their place
Of residence, and whether they went to school.
The boys looked up at him very archly, as
though the President Of the United States was
not something besides a man. They evidently
seemed to think il not impossible that they were
imposed upon. The kind and civil manner in
which hepresdent approached them had the ef-
feet to put them quite at ease with themselves,
when they proceeded to answer his questions
with some words of advice and encouragement :;
the boys left, much pleased with the man who
had spoken to them, but apparently not fully as
sured whether they had seen the President.
Such small incidents show his amiabe feelings
and bearing.
The President looks remarkably well-ap.
pearng in good health ond fine spirits. He is
dressed in n suit OF black broadcloth and wears
a black cloth cloak with velvet collar. He, in
receiving the congratulations and cheers ofthe
people, does so uniformly bareheaded, even on
this piercing cold day, for hours together. ]
cannot see how he stands it, for my ears, even
with head covered and coat collar closely raised
around my neck, became as cold as icices.
first saw Mrs Polk standing in the centre
of the ladies saloon. She had on purple silk
velvet hat, trimmed with satin ribbon striped
,,,;,b hroaI ro,idish nurnie stroes and tyO mar.