Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1849-07-21
Ex-PRESIDENT POLK.

The following letter written by the late ex.
President, after his retirement from Office, to the
editor oithe Phil Pennsylvania, we fnd in re-
cent number that journal In Introducing /, to
the public since the demise of its distinguished
aud lamencd author, the editor remaks:
He had sill, as he supposed, proud Future
before him, from which, with natural sefsatisac.
ton he might view the brgh. and glorious Past
IN which he had acted so conspicuous part
With what a high aud hopeful heart he must
have written this letter. Though inquired by
oppressive Presidential abors aud wasted by q
| stubborn disease, he could not have been cold to
the striking demonstrations ofpopularapprobai0n
Which accompanied him from the beginning to
the end OF his homewarl journey. He saw the
end OF his homcward Journey lie saw the great
Old party which had trumphed with him in 1914,
calmly submitting to the accession to power ofan
! administration which had only won success by
promising to abstain from assaults upen the ad,
mlrable policy which had marked his Executive
career. lie saw that great party, too booking
iorward confidently to the day that should see i
restored to the position it had only temporarily
lost. NO wonder, then, that when, with health
rcstored--alas! the hope was too attractive an il.
fusion 10 iast--he reached his home, he elt his
heart glow at the prospect before him; and he
wrote as one who expected to enjoy many years
OF happiness and ease after career almost Who'll.
y devoted to hs country.
One Of the cherished desires Of ex President
ron was to visit the old world, in company with
MS beautiful and accomplished wiIe--a woman
possessed Of the highest elements OF female char
acter--onc who had shared his first alnbRionsand
mad participated in his later triumphs: she who
Sraceo alike the modest family circle, and shone,
IKE resplendent star, in the midst OF the Intel
iec'ual society Of our national capital. We can
imagine how he would have enjoyed tour over
INC he.ds OF Revolutionary Europe he whose
whole heart sympathised Gin The spirit Of the 20.
NJ cal creed which he alike pracised and ad.
mlred,) with the struggles ofarousod and resolmc
Freedom. We can see his bright eve aasbina
I Al Inc trumphs ofregeneratcd Iay--at The spec
'ace Oh rescued France-.anl ,tmay be--for who
can read the Futurel-at the story Of free and In.
ylhclbe Hungary! He would have been erect.
ca on all hands by the impressions made by his
wonderful administration. The iriunophs Of FRRE
TRADE would have vndcated bis policy in Eng,
ianu' N france, and in Germany; while the war
WIN Mexico, would have made the Executive
VINO conduc ed il to so triumphant d conclusion,
welcome guest even in the Court Of st. Peters
burg The volume Of European life would have
been opened TO one who would have read uaon
It's broad and ample pages, the most ejoa,,ant M.
cause the most reluctant praises Of his country
and himself
And yet, how these hopes of a long lFe-how
.nese preparations for future hapoiness--how
nese plans Tor travel over the storicd regions Of
'ae OLD world--have been suddenly arrested aud
o0l,.erated. Truly has the poet written
Inc boast OF heraldry the pomp Of over,
ahc all that beauty, all that wealth Ger gave.
Await alike the inevitable houf:---
i Inc paths Of glory lead butte The grave
we publishihe letter to which we have anu.
ded' It's written in free hand. and il familiar
slyie, and bears thu, impress Of the vigorous mind
oil lis anented author;
NASHVILLE, Tennessee,
!, May 9ih 1919.
ny dear Su;--On my arrival at my residence
early n the last month, received your note Of
'ne IGN Nlarch, enclosing to meas Ihad request
cd you to DO, the nine articles on The Oregon
question, which originally appeared in tho
columns The Pennsylyaniati. thank you for
them-and beg, through you, to make my ac>
acknowledgements to the beautiful lady, by whom,
| you inform me, one Of them was copied from
your files As Won inform me, she is one Of nv
best friends, win be careful 10 preserve tho
copy.
Now that am private citizen--reercd
from all public responsibilities | am quietly at
home, enjoying the reposc which SO much
needed. was seriously indisposed during the
latter part ofmy return journey from Washington
but my health Is entirely restored
desire that you will consider ME a subscriber
70 Tue lennsylvanan, and have The paper fos.
"arded to me. lam, with great respect,
Your lliend and aud oh't sere'i.
:, :, JAMES X. POLK.
J. W. FoRSrY Esq, Philadelphia.