The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-07-19

From Phiadslphis spnit Of the Times July II.
Obssquiss honor % James n. Polk, late Presl-
dent Of the United States.
The obsequies in honor OF the late President took place
in the large hall Of the Chinese Museum on yesterday
al II o'clock. in presence Of deeply sympathizng au-
dence, composed of all classes, and numbering perhaps
full three thousand strong.
The doors opened at 10 o'clock for the admission
OF the ladies, who had reserved for them near the
tribune and afterward the admission OF gentlemen VINO
in short time filed all the benches ina. could DC used
upon the oor for their accommodation The aises lead
inc IN the platform were also crowded. and every other
portion of space within the hail. to which could
be had
Over the entrance OF the inner door the American flag
was inertwined with black Grape, and hung in ample
folds on either side, TO which again attached flags
Of the foreign nations with whom treaties had been e
ected during the administration of the lustrious dead
Other flags in union folds, hung along the walls,
and presented, with the sombre drapery over archng
them, sad and melancholy aspect
Festoons of evergreens were worked into clusters
around the principal columns supporting the roof, and
were relieved alternately by black and white Grape,
which answered loops to sustain them The platform
shrouded in black and covered with white muslin
On the foreground and in front of the speakers desk,
was American eagle, holding in its beak the emblem
of mourning, which il was in the act OF dropping upon
the patriots grave.
The desk was also atred in SERGE and the gallery in
the rear, occupied by the committee of TO- was hung
with the material. Altogether the scene was srk
ingly solemn and Impressive, and calculated to remind
Of The occasion for which the vast assembage
called together
At ii o'clock the ceremonies were announced TO COM
AT tina, hour. the eulogist. Hon G. NJ Dallas,
accompanied by the committee Of 49, entered the hall
and took seats upon the platform Immediately after fol-
lowed the reverend clergy
After the clergy the judiciary, and finally the munci-
pal corporations of the city and county Meanwhile the
flags of the shipping and public buildings were lowered
and the bells OF the various churches rang out their mel
ancholy peaIs.
The crowd without in consequence, brought together
by these tokens of respect became dense, that the
doors ordered be closed after which the
MES begun.
Professor Ludlow according to the order Of arrange
ments delivered brief but appropriate prayer, when
the bal struck up the wall OF Thy Sleep, oh Death !"
at the conclusion OF which. Mr. Dallas approached the
tribune.
Speech Of Hon GEoReE NJ DALLAS, in honor Of JAMES
x, Polk, at the Chinese Mlsuem, July 10, ls49.
FELLOW CITIZENS: It is but a short time slnce mme.
diatey after the administration of the oath Of Office to
General Taylor by the Chief Justice Of the United States,
In the presence OF forty or nifty thousand attentive
spectators citizen 20 advance upon the plat.
form towards the freshly naugurated Presdent-to shake
him with cordially by the hand, and 10 manifest entire
frankness of spirit he wished him success and pros
perity in dscnagng the arduous duties Of the high post
he had then assumed That citizen was JAMES KNOX
Polk. He had himself Just finished his allotted public
task-and thus, with manly grace and unaffected gene
rosity, closed his connexion with the American Chief
Magisrscy, by cheering the earliest advent of his
Saea scenes can os ,s IN sH country but
tern OF social and political institutions; but they have
seldom ever before, been witnessed even here the
to which have referred must be considered srkingly
illustrative Of individual dignity OF mind, of calm and
candid temper of undisturbed, unenvyng and
ing S and o. pure and psss sa ,h Virtue S: Al thai
ger touched the unconscious staesman-his physical
existence insensiby but fatally sappsd by the
sion of great measures OF domestic and foreign policy
and he turned his back upon the station yet adalng
with his own wonderful success, he seemed to glide
through extended OF approving and applaudng
counuymen, Just fast enough to secure at his home
unostentatious and tranquil grave II is around that
grave, citizens that wish you to stand with
and TO develop eummarily but truthfuly the causes
which link that sod Of earth with the freedom prosper
~, glory, and gratitude OF America.
The permanent fame OF eminent rests undoubtedly
in charge OF the unimpassioned tribunal OF posteny In
agovernment like ours especially where opposite opin
oas and anagonisc measures are ever in ardent con-
ict contemporary mpartiality, though not wholly impos
sble caano reasonably be expected The tomb itself is
no certain sanctuary against the rage o. prejudice which
Of time. feel admonished, then. to beware OF incau
ousy exciting the hot breath of vitupertion to seehe
And yet soho so rapid. SO sgnalized by extraordinary
civil achievements, devoted to the attainment OF vast
and sauary purposes by noble means, 20 conspcuousy
characterized by intellectual and moral energy, event
full in national blessings and renown. and so blameess
and unspoted in all the relations and intercourse Of p
vate life the of this patriot, that not to pour
tray 1t faithfully, even with the warm colorng OF per-
sonal political friendship, would be unjust TO the
OCCASION unjust TO the living who here, and un
Just TO the forever gone. Five years ago. il may
have been esteemed almost natural and fair 10 inquire
ho James KnoI Polk 2" but nop, where is that
of the earth Obscure 10 need the question
sweredl Where is the imperial that did not yield
10 he freely handled the immense executive
power Of his free country Where are the suffering
masses nsensble the OF distant people from
savationi Where the sages OF political economy
whom in adjusting the equilibrium Of industrial pursuits,
he has taught lesson Where the enthusiasts for
human liberty whom his voice has not become familiar
Where the OF military science who still doubt
the efficacy OF American cannon, whose thunders he
opened And last and least, though still not little, where
are the Rohschids the Barngs, the Stegltz, the
Hopes or the Hothnguers, the golden Of
finance who do not appreciate the master OF that wand of
annexation extension, which secured the boundless
and exhausess treasures Of California! alude now
thus briefly TO the traits of national policy which he
controlled and guided, only TO venture the assertion that
the you mourn may, the representative chief Of
your republic confront future ages, unabashed by the
imposing presence OF any predecessor.
II unimporant to the character or merit OF the de-
ceased, they may nevertheless be accepted somewhat
interesting facts that he wos descended from Irish
stock Of sturdy and determined republicans, whose
year 100, and branch OF whom first into Penn
sylvania i772 and thence into the dis
trcs OF North Csrolina that he born the I'd Of
November, 1898, the OF an upright, intelligent, and
enteprsng farmer; and that he was the grandson OF
Ezekiel, and the grand. nephew OF Thomas Polk, two