New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-11-14
POLK. CALHOUN. BUCHANAN.

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President Polk was ucarly fifty years Of age when
he was inaucurated, and was no novice IN public
life having served for fourteen consecutive years
in Congress and for two wears rs Governor of the
State of Tennessee. He was spare man. Of unpre-
tending appearance and middle stature. with
rather small head. a full angular brow. penetrating
dark gray eyes, ana firm mouth Ills half, whlch
h. wore lodg and brushed back behind his ears,
was touched with silver when he entered the White
House aud gray when ne left It, lie was worthy
and well qualified member OF the fraternity OF free
maSons and q believer III the creed OF the Mctho-
diss. al hough ont OF Difference To the religlouS
oniniol,s of his wife he attended worship with her
at the Rev Mr. Sprole', PresbyteI an Church Calm,
cold and intrepid i'll his moral character. he was
ignorant of the beauty OF moral uplghtness III the
conduct o public affairs. ambitious OF power and
successful IN the puTsnlt OF II; lie was, very
mefhO lical and rcmrkablv industrious. always
finding time TO listen patiently 10 me Stories OF
those who came To hin rs petitioners OF patronage
and place. But ms ariuous iaLors impaired his
health anl shortened his life. Before his I'm of
ofis Ia ha lfeI pTed. lis friends we're panied TO
witness his shortened aud enfeeied step. and the
air OF languOT and exhaustion which sat upon him.
Mrs Polk was strict Presbyterian, ana she
Stunned what she REGARDED as the VanltIcs OF the
world /" whenever IL possible Tor her to do SO.
She did not possess the queenly grace OF Mrs. Mad
SON or the arm hearted hospitality of Mrs Tyler,
hut she presided over the White House with great
dignity. She of medium height and SIZE, with
very black hair, dark eyes and cOmpeNiOn ana
formal yet graceful apartment. Al The Inaugural
ton of her husband. she worr black six dress. a
long black velvet cloak with deep cape, trimmed
with fringe and tassels and purple velvet bonnet;
trimmed with satin ribbon. She would not permit
hancng at the " lite H0use but she did all in her
pow-r to Ieud the Administration of Mr. Polk
popular. On morning lady found her reading
d have many books presented To me by the
writers. said she. and ! Try 10 read them all ut
present this Is not possible: but this evening the
author OF this hook dimes with the President and |
could not he SO uaNind rs TO appear wholly lgno-
rant and uEnlndfni of his giit" At one OF her
evening receptions gentleman remarked
Madam. you nave very gcnteel assemhagc to-
night" sir replied Mrs. Polk. with perfect good
hunor but very significantly, ." / never have seen
John C. Calhoun had expected to remain in the
Cabinet as Secretary OF Stare, aud he did not hest
tote to say that he was sacrificed 10 appoase the
wrath of Mr. \ an Buren. Accordingly James BucL-
alan I've anne Mr.. P0lks Secretary OF state, and NJ
Calhoun soon returned to the Capitol as senator
from South Carolina. TO engineer the extension of
slavery. free trade. and State sovereignty His
appearance indicated that lac thrrcscOre
scar, of age BuelIy evcsrows overshadowed deep
blue eyes which cleaned like stats his furrowcd
forehead and Caunt checks showed great mental
activity aud care and his thin lips had the ncan-
choly look seen III the portraits of Dante. His
long coarse hair had become graS, and he wore it
brushed back in masses from his high forehead
One morning, as he was sitting for his portrait IN
the studio OF Nr. Kellogg. he said TO the writer Of
these "reminiscences: have ALWAYS endeaN or, d to
dr. IS with a simplicity that would not attract
note ana Hen wore il short 1e the I,ter
writers used ALWAYS to have something TO say
a ont it, and now that il is long fear that it at
tracts equal attention" Speaking Of autographs
he remarked that his original hand writing was
round and clear. but that when lie was at tho
Ltchicld Law school his haste III taking notes
chan Ied il. was then eratic and told as
were ms movements in the days OF notification.
Sir. Buchanan then IN the prime of
lie. an his stilwart flame, far complexion.
light blue eyes. codrtly manners. ana scrupu
lnnsly neat attire prompted AN English
yIs tor-Mrs. Maury-to saw that he RESENT
blcd a British noblnnan OF the past genera
ton. when the grave anu digniGed bearing of men
In mower was regarded as essential attn bute of
their Office. Although bachelor. he kept house
on Est next to the abode of John Quincy Adams,
wacre his accomplished niece presided at his hos
y taLle board He faithfully carried out the for
opportunity for aivancing ms claims to the success.
SION. with refreshing humility. In heretofore
r,,s;jshcd letter written to q friend he alluded
En- a nrsdiction that hs would be the nsxt Presi-