National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-02-19

q
Mrs James X. Polk. making the inquiry whether
call from your correspondent would be agreeable
and. if yes, at what hour? Responsive there came
atinted visiting card, bearing, in fine engraving
upon one side the simple name. Mrs. Polk, Poll
Place" and upon the reverse this answer: " Com
pfiments of Mrs. Polk to Mr.. Gotham and would
be pleased to receive the call at one o'clock D. M
to-day. 1t that hour il was raining in torrents
and The visit was deferred. At four o'clock General
Sam. F. Cary, of Cincinnati and your correspond
ent proceeded from the Maxwell House to the
ancient, but stately mansion occupied by Mrs. ex-
President Polk.
THE POLK RESIDENCE
is of brick. without architectural design, plain
unpretentiOus, square and bold at one end and
two fun stories in height, and dropping off into
lower structures till the retiring wing is but low
one-Story. The main building has front of per-
haps forty feet, Ornamented with the customary
Southern columns while the side or carriage front
has similar columns not quite stately in proper
tons. The site of the Polk Mansion" as II is
called, is elevated and commanding, and the view
from the cOlnmned portieo would be pronounced
grand-if it were in Philadelphia, New York, or
Chicago. In the murly mists of to-day, in this
midwinter, the swarl of the spacious front yard
crisp and brown with the frosts, the shell walks
grimy with soiled and sooty ice, and the tort eil-
; sca'bt completed by the gray and solemn tomb of
. ex-President Polk rising sky-ward from the
| front yard, halfway between the portieo
! and the street.-The old Omestead wore sombre,
Anticipated look. In outward appearance it is not
modern but it is surrounded by air of solid old
/ fashioned comfort. The street upon which " Polk
Place fronts is OF the most aristOcratic resi-
dence thoToughfares III this capital city. heavy
! iron ornamental fence, upon foundation of solid
masonry, protects the front yard from intrusion ;
several steps lead up TO the heavy gate, which
swings creakingly, and long, straight shell walk
! ascends to the front door, the somewhat preten-
| tOus sepGlchre wherein the body of
PRESIDENT POLK
was inferred being some forty or fifty feet to the
right. This monument attracted our attention
and at the sacrifice Of strict propriety we inspected
the insert pi0ns upon the perpendicular tablets.
One ofthesc records the carpet bagging of young
James h. Polk from North Carolina to Tennessee
III 1906, ana recites his public services, including
the official positions of Governor, Representative
in Congress, Speaker of the House, United States
Senator, and President. But the date and place Of
! his birth are net gven-a singular omission. His
death at Nashville, within three months after his
retiring from tie White House in 1Sl9 is chroni-
clcd.
General Cary rang the door bell and servant
responded, showing us directly into neat little
drawing room, which we passed through wide
the apartment was quite dark. 4 blazing fire of
btuIninous coal burned cheerfllly in the CRATE
We were hardly seated before the Octogenarian
hostess,
MRS. PRESIDENT POLK,
entered, and we were introduced was surprised
to find in Mrs. Polk lady of active movement
bright and animated face. clear and firm voice
and quick and responsive memory. Your CORE
spondentS name was upon her tongue, for il had
been impressed upon her recollection By the note,
but her hearing WAS shown to be impaired
The name of General Cary was several times re-
peated to her, and was caught b. her as General
Terry and our famed fatst and ancient Wing
orator whO as q " Johnson Democrat" showed IN
der so eminent a statesman as the good Deacon
Richard Smith for Congress dozen or more years
ago, met with ami parted from Mrs. President Polk
as General Terry, of Ohio" After the mutual
greetings, Mrs. Polk observed to her maid that the
room was dark and instructed her TO open the cur
tains. This being done slowly, our aged host
eSs moved toward 4 window with the agility
of one the sunny side of fifty and threw it open
when, with polite wave of the hand and the re-
mark, " BE seated, gentlemen" all of us were at
ease. Mrs. Polk is of medium height, rather stout
but not obese, has bright and most pleasing face |
without the lines and burrows usually accompany
ing great age, and her gray or dark blue eyes
even yet sparkling and full of sweet animation. In
her beaming countenance there still remains |
abundant traces ofthe
RARE AND RADIANT BEAUTY,
lit up by earnest vivacty, which made her so at |
tractiyc and conspicuous thirty odd years ago as
mistress Of the presidential mansion and by c0ur-
tesy or ec-ogjci0 " first lady in the land.' Mrs.
Polk richly attired in dark material, silk and
velvet prcdominating in the combination Ia
D'Odistc, and upon her hands she wore neat-ftting
Paris "splendide" kid gloves Responsive TO
suggestion by her callers Of the natural desire
of ali strangers who visit Nashville, and
especially those of a political turn Of mind
Or profession, to pay their respects to one
so conspicuous i'll our history, at the risk
OF intrusion, Mrs. Polk 1aughingly deferred /
to the popular courtesy. The attentions were
pleasing TO her, she said not as offered to herself
but to the memory of her husband.
~ believe you and Mrs. Lincoln are the only
widows surviving our ex- Pr2sdents?' was inter
suggested.
Yes; one Other-Mrs. Tyler, who lives at
d. c. quietly responded Mrs Polk
Her voice is full and musical for one who must
be near or in the eighties, and her sight seemed
good, considering her age.
You recur with pleasurable memory 10 your |
residence in the White House do you not Mrs |
Polk asked General Cary.
Oh, yes sir; it is delightful memory Our |
residence there was fun of enjoyment, and though
Mr.. Polk had weighty cares Of Office and the re-
sponsiblity was great. yet we had comparatively
happy life. hardly recall anything which marred
The pleasure Of our social life in Washington"
Your husband escaped the censure which has
been heaped upon some of those who have been
President" was suggested
Yes, it is true she answered. land it is my
Iappiest thought that no criticism Of
MR.. POLKs INTEGRITY
Turing long public career, in various exalted
positions was ever made, TO my knowledge. His
Judgment may have been impugned, but not his
honor
Did you enjoy your share Of official life,
inquired.
Greatly. You see, l found Mr.. Polk in public
position when we married, and he continued i'll
official life almost. if not quite, unnterrIptedly
until his death here in June, 1S49. We were
MARRIED YOUNG.
md was Immediately introduced to the gay and
interesting life which high public Office be-
lueaths." i
:" / would imagine, Mrs. Polk" interrogatively
uggested your correspondent, that the inquiries .
If strangers about Mr. Folks life habits PECULIAR
les. and characteristics would not only become
nonotonous, but often amount 10 downright in
rusiOns upon the sacretlneSs of your home and its
,Tavesl memories
Sc Not sir, by any means to that extent which you |
night conceive them to be- responded Mrs. Polk
nahly; and, continuing, she said: Il feel an e1-
uisite pleasure in giving items of unpublished in
especially 10 young men, concerning
ir. Folks public and private life; for, of course,
eem il a life in all respects worthy of emulation
GOT long ago a number Of Young nen-college |
tudcnts, / thnk-called upon me. In the course
{ our most agreeable conversation while | was q
Glazing =
REMTNISCFNCES OF THE WHITE BOIrSF p
observed that some or these young gentlemen | L
esitated when making inquiries Of somewhat Y
ersOnal nature concerning Mr.. Folks life An y