The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-04-07
From tho Memphis (renn.) Herald, March ~
Roooptiou of Ex-PresideDr Polk.


From Memphis, Crennl Herald, March a.
Reception of Ex-PresdeDt Polk.
The approach OF the steamer c. z Watkins, with the
exPresiden family, and suite on board was cd
this morning about o'clock by the thunder OF artillery
from the bluff Immediately the committee OF reception
and many citizens were the landing and after the dis
tngushed guest had breakfasted he took his seat in
splendid carriage drawn by four gray horses and after
passing along OF our principal streets, followed by
an immense OF citizens, stopped in front OF the
Gayoso House, where the Hon. Spencer Jarnegan ad-
dressed the ex President follows;
"SR have been designated by the citizens of Mem
phs to bud you welcome this your return TO the State
OF Tennessee The assigned duty is pleasant task, be;
of the coincidence with my personal feelings and
hope this account, IT'S performance will not be the
less acceptable to you, sir.
There is here presented sublime spectacle, worthy Of
the country in which we live, and high eulogy upon
our institutions and OF peope-a former Chie Ma
gsrae, in retiring TO the shades of private le having
laid aside the robes OF Office and surrendered power ana
place without regret TO become again private cluzen OF
the United States receiving, without show or ceremony
the cordial greetings of his ellow-czens as returned
friend and brother 1t is but the expression OF their CRATE
full hearts to an old and faithful public servant and free
offering The whole evinces how paltry and
contemplate are all political differences, compared
with the depth and warmncss OF feeling with which
all love our country and her institutions.
sTo you sir, let say for myself and for those have
the honor represent the present OCCASION many of
us have known you long and intimately, and that &C
quanance has tended to lessen respect for the
man. You have devoted more than thirty years of your
evenul life to the public service We have you
fill, with honor yourself almost every grade of office
from that OF, clerk in the Tennessee legislature TO
President OF the United States, and each, from the first,
conferred by the suirages of freemen For your emf
public services you the grau lie of your coun
trymen and for your private virtues the love OF your
friends and the h;gh respect of yocr acquainances
With them yop have retired they have been fairly and
honorably ootaned and let them be 10 you sweet balm
in the coming evening OF your days 1t is probable you
will never again hold office. You have just left the
proudest and most exalted station earth, TO which you
had been elevated by the unbought suages of your fe
low citizens and however much many OF us may have
differed with you upon many questions OF foreign and
domestic policy, yet in the heat of partisan feeling
but few denied to you patriotism and honesty of purpose
Your administration has been peculiar period in the
affairs of nations and of the world and has been mark
by events important, and which will ever remain
memorable in the history Of he United States, and Of
the continent of America With them your will
You have added to her fame, and she is proud Of her
adopted son and now we portion of her citizens,
ceive YOU tender you the Inequalities of city, take
you the hand and say from hearts welcome truly
welcome home again."
We unable to procure position suitable for re-
porting the reply of exPresident Polk, and therefore
manner in which he acknowledged his gratitude for the
honors paid him by his fellow citizens of Memphis. We
give the substance of Mr.. Folks reply, furnished us by
friend who stood near him.
"SIR This is the first point at which have touched
the State Of Tennessee. | am deeply affected by the
kindness and cordaty Of your reception The personal
friendship which you have been pleased to express on
your account, and as the representative of the c
Eens OF this prosperous town, reciprocae with all my
heart.
This is the proudest moment of my life. No honors
which could have been paid President, would have
been grateful the respect and courtesy which now
receive. | private citizen, deprived of power and
without patronage. My public acts matters of hiso.
ry; they will be Judged imparta'ly, and content to
abide the decision OF this magnannous people, and
hereafter You do me more than Justice in according
me the merit OF honesty. OF purpose. And agree with
you perfectly in the sentiment, that in the midst of all
personal conflicts and differences of individual opA-
ION, the American people are essentially patriotic
1.-The present spectacle is OF the blest which
be presented by any form of free institutions The pub
lie OF to-day is the simple citizen OF Tomorrow
Without regret, and with unfeigned gratitude for the
high confidence reposed in me, and the noble honors
bestowed, return the bosom of my friends and fel.
low citizens This cordial welcome upon the soil of my
State touches my heart return to you individually
and the representative of this vast assembage of my
fellow Citizens, my profound gratitude for your generou:
welcome. regret that the circumstances of my arrival
in boat which will carry my own door, and which
wait sufficiently long 10 enable enjoy your
rendered courtesies Obge me 10 decline them Again
tender you and my fellow citizens here assembled my
prooundest respect and gratitude"
After his reply he conducted TO the parlor of the
hotel, where he received the congratulations OF large
number OF citizens, and then escorted TO the
boat, in waiting, 10 convey him his homew ward Jour
ney
The health OF the President was such as to pre-
him from accepting the invitation of the citizens to
main and be present at the complimentary ball which
intended for him
Gayoso House, and patook OF rich and luxurious col.
lahon. prepared by the genemany propretors of thai
house; ana to- night gayhearted innocence will trip il
the light fantastic toe at the CONNIE rcial and the
rich viands which the nimabe Shall ever sets out on
such occasions will be fully discussed.