The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1864-03-08
A VISIT no mrs, POLK.
appearance Of the Widow Of TX President Polk--
What sseut her Leyrlty.

Whu tSvas nct LSyuuys
Especial Correspondence of the Cincinnati Times
We were told by friend that the widow .
President Polk was living in Nashville, and
that We ought to 60 and see her residence,
and the monument 10 her front yard, erected
over the remains Of her husband, Who I'd
once filed the highest and most honorable
office in the world. We accordingly repaired
to Vine street, and soon found ourselves in
from: of the lady's beautiful mansion. An
elderly female 10 "weeds,,' with young lady
BY her side, was standing at the trent gate
We assembled the steps, at the top Of which
they wsro standing, and asked the elder Of the
two il that was the reaidence OF Mrs. Polk
She ausw ered that it was. We then said to
her, "I think it highly probable, madam, that
have the honor of addressing that
very lady Eow." II il be any honor, sir,
you have" was her response. We expressed
Ourselves ulguIy gralru51 ~ the clrcunslance,
and said, that while it was only il our pro-
gralnme 10 obtain sight Of her residence and
the monument of her husband, we had not
even hoped for such an interview. We then
gave her our name and character as a soldier
voluntary and occasional correspondent, when
she expressed herself much pleased that we
had called. We soon realized that We were
in the presence Of noble. intelligent, philan-
thropc and and patriotic wcman-patriotic,
mean, 10 the true sense Of the word.
We confessed 10 much astonishmen. when
she told us that from tho time Of her bus.
bands decea,e in 1910, to the pres ut hour,
she had never been out Of her own homo to
a party or a gathering Of any kind, except
occasionally to funeral. She had not even
taken tea out Of her own domicil, since that
melancholy event. Twice she has dined out
while on business with her late husbands OF.
ecutors, when il was almost unavoidable. II
live in and belong to the past" was her re-
mark to US at this interview. I presume at
no time since her husbands death, has she
90. laid ",ijv b.. "ovd,.
The plain monument beneath which lie the
remains of James Knox Po'k with appropri-
alto inscriptions on three sides), stands 4 little
to the right Of the walk, leading from the
street to the house, and very near to il. This
together with her almost perfect secluson, ,apd
continuous mourning for IA years, tells strong
ly with what tenacity and affection and rever-
ence, che clings to the memory of her late il.
lustrious husband.
Much has been said Of Mrs. Folks secss.
siouisn. On this, and hundred topics that
constituted some Of the themes of our conver-
satiou, we shall have but lilt,o TO say, as with.
this retiring and truly modest women.
"It is im,and-an attainment"
10 shun as much as possible the public gaze.
We will, nevertheless, Ito wip, the stain of
the charge secessionisrn from her escutcheon)
give here some portion of our talk on this
them.
I said to Ter: "Mrs. Polk, have heard
you accused, since have been in Nashville,
Of being a. bitter seccessioaist; how is thisi
stance a, follows: AM. c., that is q
wrongful accusation. I never vas secces.
siouist, and doa't think ever will be one.
always said there was no excuse for the
course taken by my misguided southern
friends. said that Mr.. Lincoln was consti
elected, and that that election sho'd
be acquiesced in by every true patriot. 90,
sir, for my governmeut-my whole govern
ment."
"In other words, Mrs. Polk )" we responded
'you 90 for that United States Of which
your late honored husband was once the Pres.
dent."
"Ycs sir" she responded, with marked EN-
pbssis,I do. know my name has been be-
fore the public-once at east-in a connect
ion that may have engendered 10 some minds,
doubts Of my loyalty; but was so placed
against my wishes and rcmonstrances. But,
nasmuch as il was done for humane and
purpose. I said nothing publicly
about il. I do not deny" she added, "that
my womanly sympat,ies are with the South,
and that often catch myself exulting over
The success of Confederate arms, but this is
ouly when my reason is taken prisoner, and
ny judgement temporarily suspended at the
bidding Of my sympsthiea, prejudices aud af-
ectious. was born in the South; from in.
aucy to old ago-for my days, now, you
know,
care in the sere, and yellow leaf
ny surroundings have all been Southern. My
elatives, my friends, and moro than all, my
ate loved and houorol husband, were all Of
hat sunny clime.' Is it then reasonable to
uppose that, lin moment, in the twinkling
Of 40 eye with the fiosts Of many winters
,pon my head, can throw off, as would
garment, ali the affection, all the eudearing
all tho pre;rdices (if you please)
If long lfe' NJ! no! this cannot bel And
ret, dear sir, outstanding all ,his,) long
md pray, and yearn for restoration Of my
distracted country to it's former peaceful and
happy condition; for a restoration Of the "Un