Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-07-06
THE LAMENTEn pnIY

The Funeral of the ex-Presiden, tobL rl..
at Nashville, on Saturday, the 15tK Of Inn
at o'clock, P. NJ. The Nashville Un;on ~
the 18Th, speaks in the following TOUCHING.
and eloquent terms of the interment Of tbe.
lllustrious deceased:
In accordance with the request OF the Nav.
or and Aldermen. all the ordinary avocations
were suspended, stores and other places of
business closed. and several houses draped in
black on the day indicated. AT the special
request of The deceased, he was CONSIGNED to
the tomb BY Masonic honors. After the fra.
ternity had gone through with the customary
ceremonies-both affecting and impressive.
at his residence, the body was conveyed to
The Methodist Church, and funeral sermon
delivered by the Rev. J. B. McFerrin. The
speaker, in that portion of his remarks per-
sonal 10 the deceased, gave a brief sketch of
his life and public career, passed high and
deserved eulogium on his moral character and
unblemished integrity, and detailed, in for
chile and impressive manner, the particulars
of his last illness and death. Early in his
sickness Mr. Polk had connected himself with
the Methodist Episcopal Church, church
for which, as his friends and acquaintance
all know, he has always felt a preference
The funeral services performed, the body was
conveyed TO the grave yard, accompanied by
the masons, the city authorities, and long
train of mourning citizens, and deposited in
the tomb with masonic forms, after brief but
beautiful and appropriate address by Wilkins
Tannehill, p. G. NJ, presiding officer OF the
fraternity. A benedcton by the minister
closed the ceremonies. and our distinguished
fellow citizen was left 10 his last and long
repose.
To the State of Tennessee, the history of
Jas. X. Polk is familiar Early in life, he
commenced his career as public man, and
for nearly thirty years he has been prominent
ly before the public eye. Beginning at the
foot of the ladder, without any other aid than
his untiring energy, patient industry, and
perior talents, he climbed step by step, until
he reached the summit; and then, after having
filled every grade with distinguished honor
and ability, rs if his work was done, sunk 10
rest, alas not full of years, but full of honors
Mr.. Polk was born on the 18th November.
1895, and OF course, had not quite completed
his fifty-fourth year at the time of his death
But in this brief period of little over half
century, what mighty events have been COM
pressed When born, the throes of infantne
Democracy were convulsing the thrones of
the old world, and promising an early and
vigorous manhood. AT his death, the young
|
and healthier than of yore. In his own coun-
try, he has seen the young republic measure
swords on equal terms, with the greatest of
nations. and crush more ignoble foe, almost
without an effort. He has seen the population
which had Just begun TO ascend the eastern
side of the Aleghanes, spread over the nigh
~ valley, rise that lofller range whose sum-
mits are lost in perpetual snow, and descend
its western slope 10 the surf.line of the great
est Of oceans. He has seen our territory more
than doubled, and our boundaries definitely
settled. And of the most important Of these
events during the last quarter of the century,
he was part. Whatever may be our opin-
| ions of The policy of his acts, in his different
pubic capacities, we cnncede their importance
and admit the ability with which they were
conceived, and the energy with which they
were consummaied Ii success. as seems uni
versaly allowed. be the Jest OF capacity, and
the " true touchsone of desert''-ihen was he
eminently deserving. He sleeps with the
great and good who have gone before him.
| Nav the earth lie lightly over his remains,
" Dill maiorum umbrs tenuem It sine pondere terraln
spira 'tesque crocus, ct in III na perpetuum Ver.'
Caleb s Woodruff, the wing mayor of n.
York. says of Mr.. Polk. in his proclamation on
the death of the eX-Presdent " In every po-
siton, whether as g vernon OF his native State,
as Speaker OF the House of National Repre-
senta,ives, or as Chief Magistrate Of the Amer
lean people, he has displayed abilities of no
common order; and by The force of his talents,
the purity of his life, and the sincerity of his
patriotism, has commanded the highest esteem
and confidence of his fellow citizens The
events in which he has borne a prominent
part, will form one of the most brilliant chap
ters in the annals of our country, and will
transmit his name to posterty as one OF the
most ilustrouS Of our PresidentS''
To the Editors and Publishers of the United
States M. Vattemare wishes TO place in
the ''American Library" which is now being
formed IN the Civ Hall AT Paris