The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-07-29
THE UNION.
From the Nashville Christian Advertiser Of July 40
Last Days on mar. Polk.-Hew York Weekly Herald.

From IL. Nashville Christian Advertiser Of July 20.
Last Days or mr. Peik.-.sw York Weekly Herald.
s.From the house the funeral corege, which very
large all places of business being closed by order OF our
Church. Where after services performed by the Rev Mr.
McFern. was conveyed TO the cemetery followed by
aay Ssa % &c
the lawn of the expresidenal mansion, where
marble cenotaph thus the body Of the President from Ten
wiz IL sseSSr b i . is ss
TO the State, in perpetnitys Tor this purpose
": II Ii. Of % Be-
baptized by him He said 70 him impressiyely 49,.
s
wreched man yet am about 70 die and have not made
sir, there be any ground for man thus situated to
hopsr 49,. .,. .,ox . hi, ), ......,o.. and
promises of the gospel that merculy run parallel with
@Mr. Polk then remarked that he had been prevented
from baptism in infancy by some accidental occurrence;
that he had been several times strongly inclined be bap
tized during his but that the and per-
pexes of public life hardly gave him time for the solemn
preparation requisite and 50 poSras,na.qn had rPened
his conversation with tine reverend clergyman, Mr. Polk
ss 81 ia n
truth; in word, he was, Theoretically christian
1.-THE s ng M Folk too much ns os n hs
evening but In the interval the ex President reco
% hold Win The Rev Ms
talented popular Methods, minister the place. his
promised him that when he did embrace christianity
he the Rev Mr., McFerrln should baPze him. He there
fore for the Rev Dr. Edgar, made known this obga
ton and expressed his intention TO be baptized by his
friend the Methods. minister Thssame day The venerable
byerian lady, arrived from her residence forty miles dis
~ as &c her dis
Mother said the dying ekpassldent taking her alec,
icy v D xsd % vor so and
wishes S. I'm must baptized By the Rev Mr.
give her consent and the Of the Rev Dr. Ed
gar and the Rev. Mr. Mack. OF Columbia, the ex-Pres
dent received the rue Of baptism at the hands Of the Rev.
aMr Polk has died worth about one hundred thousand
who, is to be hoped, will long make this city her abode
an ornament TO It's society for all lips do praise hs
"P ST. have you rude but sketch of the
mansion Of the as dsaped with mourning on
BLACK however, hands0mei bows than m
The above we copy from the "New York. Weekly
Herald" of June the 30th II is extract OF letter
written from Nashville, June the 10th. signed "NoEL,"
and has been copied into several eastern papers Who
the writer is we know not-nor do We now notice the de.
with the editor OF the Herald his correspondent copy
lists, but object is simply to correct several glarng
rors-garng to those familiar with the facts here at
tempted to be given. And do this because the
lion here given does the parties very great injustice
The reputation Of Mr., Polk is injured The facts as here
represented would indicate his want OF frmness and sin
est convictions and better feelings to crafty the whims of
" his personal and political friend in the fulfment OF
promise in the solemn hour OF DEATH that he is represent
ed as having made at time and under circumstances
that would seem light and trivial compared with the gray
ity OF the subject.
injustice is done to the venerable .swise, and pious
mother" of President Polk. She held up in the light
OF who anxious to control the religious feelings
and action OF her son, and though he had not dscrim
nat and decision h sufficient to Judge and act Tor h h
pastor, injustice, inasmuch il presents him in the light
OF one enyious of distinction that he would travel for
~ miles TO discharge the functions of his ministry, by
bapzng the distinguished SON" Of the wiss and pous
mother and modification that lie thwarted in the
end M Mack only came as the friend Of Mrs Polk,
OF the ordinances OF the gospel Il does injustice to Dr.
Edgar inasmuch as epressnts him as being forced to
minister Of Christ. merely to have redeemed vain and
idle pledge, made without the solemnity becoming mat
ter OF so much Importance and quietly sitting by witness
ing the solemn ordinance OF God administered by another
simply because he the personal and POLITICAL FRIEND
Of Mr. Polk, and"had often rgued with the ex- President"
II does the officiating minister gross injustice IN that his
political sentiments unnecessarily brought into the mat
ter, and inasmuch represents him who would
strive 10 make capital out OF his political sentiments,
as TO advance the interests OF his denominaon-an
nsncere sycophant who would aiter and fawn TO gain
favor for himself his church, the expense OF
the dignity Of his Office, and due self.respec IL does the
cause OF Christianity injustice as il would exhibit the
ministers Of the gospel ambitious OF gaining distn.
gushed adherents to their particular secs and compel
ors for the honor OF bringing into their churches
Of those concerned Last OF all. is affecting to the
feelings OF the family and friends OF Mr. Polk, who, in
the hour OF deep, heartfelt sorrow, knew differences
but had the sympathes OF all classes OF their fellow
citizens, without respect to political parties or denomina
tiona distinctions.
Now we do not pretend to say that the author of the
letter intended TO give these coorngs TO the picture
ngeniousy painted yet nevertheless these the lights
and shades in which il will be viewed Having said
thus much will proceed to state few facts as briefly
| practicable.
First, then. Mr. Polk did send for Dr. Edgar nine days
before his death at the time he for the under
signed and the Rev Dr. Green OF the Methodist Church
DR.. g. absent from the city and did not receive the
message. DR.. Edgar and "Mr. McFerrin" met in the
parlor at Mr. Folks, and in company visited the sick
room OF the President (being the first interview either
OF them had with him during bis ness,) when they had
Polk.
I'd II Is not correct that Mr. Polk desired Dr. Edgar to
baptze him. did he make any suggestion Of the kind
70 the Docor-nor Is correct that his baptism was post
poned It'll The next evening because OF his fatigue"
3D. Is true that when "Mr McFerrin" took leave OF
MT. Folk he was requested by Mr. Polk TO 'retum in
the course OF an hour two" He did that after
and pous vile. stated to him that he had fully made up
ms mind years since as TO what church he preferedhal
though ne did not regard Il essential to what branch Of
the Christian church man should attach HIMSELF yet he
had deliberately, and from solemn CONVICTION, determined
TO unite with the Methodist Church. and desired to
and wished the undersigned to administer these ordi-
nances and in this he said. "here perfect harmony
between himself and his pous wife, though she belonged
4h. Il is incorrectly stated that Mr. Polk promised
his friend years ago, when he governor, that when
he d,d embrace christianity, he mr.. MeFerinl
should baptze him." No such conversation ever oc-
Cured between Mr. Polk his chs