The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1880-12-09
POLK, CALHOUN, BUCHANAN.
The Democratic Leaders Of Thirty to
Forty Years Ago.

Forty Years Ago.
Atlantic Monthly for December.
President Polk was nearly Fifty years Of
age when he was inaugursted, and was no
novice in public life, having served for
fourteen consecutive years in congress, and
for two years as governor of the state Of
Tennessee. He was spare man, of un-
pretending appearance and middle state
ure, with rather small head, full, an
guar brow, penetrating dark gray eyes,
and'A firm mouth. His hair, which he
wore long and brushed back behind his
ears, Was touched with silver when he en-
teren the White House; and gray when he
left it. He was a worthy and we'll qualifi-
cd member of the fraternity of Freemasons
and believer in the creed of the Method
lists, although, out of Difference TO the re-
ligiOus opinions Of his wife, he attended
worship with her a. the Rev. Mr.. Sprols's
Presbyterian church. Calm, cold, and in.
,repid in his moral character, he was iR-
norant Of the beauty of moral upriRhsness
In his public afairs-ambi'ious Of power
and successfuil in the pursuit Of il. He
was very methodieal and remarkably in
dussrious. always finding time TO listen
patiently to the stories Of those who came
to him - petitioners Of patronage and
place. But his arduous lsbors impaired
his health and shortened his life Before
his tern of Office had half expired his
friends we're pained to witness his short
ened and enfeebled step. and The air Of
laneuor and exhaustion which sat upon
him.
Mrs. Polk was q strict Presby terian,
and she Stunned what she regarded as ihe
"vanities of the world" whenever it was
possible for her to do so. She did not pos
sess the queenly grace ofMrs. Madison, OF
the warm.hearted hospitality of Mrs. Ty-
Ter, but she presided over the White
House with great dignity. She was OF
medium height and size, with very black
hair, dark eyes and complexion, and form.
al yet graceful department.. At the inau-
guration of her husband. she wore a black
silk dress, long black velvet cloak with a
deep cape, trimmed with fringe and tas.
sells, and pure velvet bonnet, trimmed
with satin ribbon. She would not permit
dancing At the White House but she did
all in her power to render the administra-
tion Of Mr.. Polk popular. One morning .
lady found her reading. Il have many
books presented to me BY the WRITER'S"
said she land try to read them all; at
present this is not possible: but this even.
ing the author Of this book dimes with the
president, and it could not do to appear
wholly ignorant and unmindful of his
gift." Al one of her evening receptions
gentleman remarked: Madam, you have
. very sentsel assembiage tonight" "sir."
replied Mrs Polk, with perfect good
humor but very significantly, II have
never seen II otherwise"
John c. Calhoun had expected TO re-
main in the cabinet as secretary Of state,
and he did rot hesitate 10 say that 10 was
sacrificed 10 appeass the wrath Of Mr..
Van Duran. Accordingly James Buchan.
an became Mr.. Polks secretary Of state,
and Mr.. Calhoun soon returned to the
capitol az senator from South Carolina
to engineer the extension Of slavery, free
trade, and sovereignty. His appearance
indicated that he was over three score
years Of sge. Bushy eyebrows overshad-
owed deep blue eyes, which cleaned like
starr; his furrowed forehead and gaunt
cheeks showed great mental activity and
care, and his thin lips had the melancholy
look seen in the portraits Of Dante. His
long coarse hair had become gray, and he
wore It brushed back in masses fiom Ills
high forehead. One morning, a. he was
sitting for his portrait in the studio Of
Ms. Kellogg. he said to the writer ofthese
rsmininsocnces: II have always endes vor-
ed 70 dress with simplicity that would
not attract notice. and have succeeded,
with the exception of my hair. When /
wore Il short the letter writer's used to
always have something to say about il,
and now that /, 10 long fear that is at
tracts equal attention" Speaking Of au-
tographs, he remarked that his original
hsnd writing was round and clear, b