Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1849-04-21
VOL. Nv.

I ured by the great results which il accompishes
/ rather than bythe number of unpruduc,iye years
that may roll over il, then indeed yUn may well
afford TO retire. One such term is enough for
any man. No human ambition ought TO desire
more. repeat, therefore, that You can well at
ford pow to retire--to your own iavorite Tonnes
,e,-to this beautiful and Gourshiug city--to
wonder emnence 50 lately the Ocsidence Of our
lamcnied Gruuly, the orator, the statesman ard
| the patriot. In such Stale--in such City
! in such cOnsecratcd residence, may you long
! live. as happy IN your domestic and social circles,
as well as ia YOUR private pursuits, a you have
| been useful AMI eminent in your public employ
mcuts.
Mr.. Polk, in reply, said substantially, that
He was most happy to reach his home, and to
meet once more his old acquaintance and friends.
The qualification he felt was greatly increased hy
this manifestation of the pubic respect, and by
the warm and cordial manner in which he was
received. This qualification was still more in-
creased, because disinterescd and voluntary
He had ceased to hold official station. lie no
longer exercised political power, or dispensed
patronage, and was a private citizen. 1t was a
striking illustration of the successful workings OF
our admirable system, and of the capacity OF man
for sell. government, that, in our happy country,
without revolution, violence, or bloodshed, the
ruler oto>duy is the private citizen ct tomorrow
Now that he was again private citizen OF Ten
nessee, he was identified with her people in all
their interests, shared with them IN all their sym
pathies, and his ardent hope, that, as a part of
this great couiederacy of States, we might long
continue to be the treest, happest, and most Ia
vored people that God in his providence has ever
permitted to exist upon earth.
Mr. Polk said that he should not SO much as
alude to the many interesting public events which
bad transpired during his administration. 1t had
so happened tina, he had been called to fill the
high office of President Of the United States at
an eventiul period in the history, not only OF our
own country but in that of the world. Events
and public measures foreign and domestic, OF
no ordinary Importance, had occurred: events
and measures intimately connected with the pub
lie prosperity, and deeply affecting the national
character. The public policy which he had deem
cd it his duty to pursue, and the results OF that
policy, had now become matters OF history, and
would be Judged by his countrymen and he
doubted not would he properly appreciated. lie
might say, that the four years OF his admnslra-
ton had been to him years Of unceasing labor,
care and anxiety and Of high responsibility. lie
might say, that, with no other object in view than
the promotion oft.e public good. and the endu.
ring fame and glory of our country, he had en-.
deayorcd faithfully to perform his duty. II his
public conduct should be approved by his coun.
try, or il, in atrr times, it shall be the pubic
jnd Lm"nt that his servc 5. in til" high office he
bad been called to fill, had tended in any degree
to promote the happiness aud prosperity OF that
country, he had his reward-the richest and most
cherished, il not the only reward which retired
public servant could receive. He was under last.
ing obligations Of gratitude to the people Of Ten
nessce, for the many public honors they had con.
ferred upon him, in various public stations, thro'
4 long series otyears, and 10 the people Of the
nation, for having elevated him 10 the highest sta.
ton in the world, from which he had Just retired.
tie feared he had not rcquitcd them, by any pub.
lie services Of his, for the confidence they had
rcposed in him. He should hereafter he quiet.
law.abiding, and he trusted good citizen. OF
all the honors ever bestowed upon him, none had
been more grateful, or would be more highly ap.
preciatcd, than the manner in which he was this
day welcomed, without distinction of party, on his
arrival III MS own Stae. lie thanked the ldTIe
assembly Of his islow.citizens, now present
wings and dem)cratS-they were all Americans,
and all citizens Of our common country. having a
common interest in her prosperity and happiness
for the distinguished honor donc him this day,
in the cordial welcome they gave hun to his home.
He said that, in all human probability Nashville
would be his residence during the remainder of
the days allotted to him on earth. 1t would give
him sincere pleasure, on meeting his leow-cti.
cents after so long an absence, to exchange
friendly congratulations with them individually.
lie concluded by repeating the tender to the as,
sembled multitude of all he had to gve-his heart.
felt thanks-ior the kind and cordial manner in
which they had received him.
To say that the reply was well received would
but poorly express the truth. An audience com.
posed about equally Of wings and democrats, re.
ceyed it with the highest enthusiasm, and united
in making the welcome to Mr. Polk worthy ofthe
hospitality and patriotism Of the State.
Mr.. Polk will leave this morning Tor Columbia.
where a brilliant reception awaits him tomorrow,
He will return to this city, for the purpose Of
making it his permanent residence, some time
before the Goth inst