The North-Carolina standard., 1849-07-04
Correspondence of the Washington Union.1
NAsHvIIIH June-l6 l949


In postscript to my letter of the 9th inst, men
toned the illness of the ex-President Mr.. Polk it is
nv sad misfortune, to-day, inform you that he is
no more he breathed his last yesterday afternoon
l8 minutes before o'clock. -'.t =. ~
Tho disease which at first prostrated him was
chronic diarrhaa, although many thought it to be
cholera. am inclined to believe that it was the
former, because he has been subject attacks from
that disease for many years past if it had been the
latter. he could not have fingered as he did.
He taken sick about the lst inst, and contin-
ued very i'll until last Monday, when strong hopes
were entertained that he would recover; but Hope
raising her attering head only for moment, profer
ed the sweet cup of glad expectation. and then smil
ing upon those whose eyes frightened with joy
they basked under the pleasing and consoling rays
of her inspiring presence, she sntched it away and
dashed it to pieces; she fitted away, and dark des-
pair spread her sombre wings over their hearts.
Mr.. Polk has gone; yet his name is engraven upon
the heart of the Union. He has gone; yet his men,
ory, like an evergreen, will flourish and be forever
green within the bosom of his country: His many
virtues the admiration and won the respect Of
all who knew him. His commanding talents and in
domtable energy throughout his course OF public life
have endeared him to all who looked on with Rnieye
which the blasting unrelenng tongue Of slander had
not dimmed by prejudice, or which could apPreciate
these high and worthy traits OF character that
he has been gathered unto his fathers" his brilliant
genius and gigantic intellect wlFeceive that tribute
Of regard which they deserve from his fellownan,
and the unbiased historian in his pages will, with
6IOQOence. erase
those foul anathemas which have been cast upon by
that polluted hand of envious libel, which, lashed
into passion and heated by jealousy, spares nought,
but like the venomous viper of midsummer, blind
with rage strikes its fangs into its own Shiny crawl
ing body and infuses its poison into its very lfes
blood. - y--.....r -... .-.a. .s...,s a AMI
The funeral ceremonies take place this afternoon at
8 o'clock, in the McKendree (Methodist) church,
services by Rev. Mr.. McFerrin. The deceased will
be buried with Masonic honors, and the citizens will
attend en- masse. Enclosed I send you copy of the
preamble and resolutions adopted at called meeting
of the Mayor and Aldermen. ''Ail houses of busi-
ness or recreation have been closed, and all seem
to feel that have lost MAN. Many of our public
buildings, hotels, &C., shrouded in the black ha-
bments Of grief as token of respect to the memo
of the distinguished citizen who has just passed
through the dark shadow and valley of deattH' I
noticed particularly amongst these the sombre and
sad appearance presented by the tall pillars of the
"Verandah - as they stood motonless, their snowy
whiteness strong y -contrased with the melancholy
jet of the Grape entwined around them. and hanging
in dropping silence from their caps. From the win
dows of the 't Union Office also seen gloomy
tokens of sorrow - dangling in melancholy mood,
if conscious of the loss which our nation has suso
tanned. -. -
| Mr.. Polk requested that he be buried in his own
yar1 between two beautiful cedar spot which
he selected for this solemn rite after his return
to Tennessee from Washington city. This lot, on
the death of Mrs. Polk, he has bequeathed to the
State. Judge Catron and Major Daniel Graham were
appointed by the deceased to act as his executors
Our little city is now being scourged with cholera.
This disease, at the present time, has larger num-
Der of victims daily than it had during its great
est fatality in 1888 and 1885. may say that il is
far worse than it has been in any city in the Union
since its late advent this continent We have had
as many as thirty-three interments during one day
this week, which, in proportion the population Of
the two cities, is equivalent to five hundred deaths
per diem in New York city. have been moderate
in this calculation, estimating our population at
10000. Death gives but few moments waEning
to its victims we may meet friend on1the street,
and in few hours he is locked in the chilly embrace
of the grave. 1t would melt IS heart of adamant
to hear the cries of grief and distress which re-
sound throughout the confines of city and to wit
ness the many cheeks which are wet with the tears
lament for departed friends Business is paralyz-
ed and, unless the epidemic abates soon the .Cty
of Rocks will be deserted hundreds have already
fed from the fatality which pervades Nashville.
Yours truly, &C., TENNESSEE.