Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1882-03-18
For the Standard.
Grandpa and John.

John GRANDPA, who was President Of
the United States when you were born?
Grandpa We'll, John, say yourself when
tell you that was born in 1906.
John Let me see, Washington became
President in 1889 and was President eight
years. Then John Adams was made Presi.
dent in 1877 and held the Office four years.
He was followed by Jefferson in 1901, who
continued eight years. So it was Jefferson,
Grandpa, Thomas jefferson Of Virginia,
Andrew johnson was President when ! was
born, in 1868. BE was Tennessean. Was
he born in Tennessee?
Grandpa NO, son. he was born in North
Carolina and came to Tennessee when he
was young man and very poor, tailor by
trade
joint tell YOU, grandpa, it interests me
very much that Tennessee has had three
Presidents of the United States and every
one OF them was born in North Carolina, if
mistake not. Did you not say Andrew
Jackson was born in South Carolina?' Nv
history says it was in North Carolina.
Grandpa Yes, know the later histories,
Parton and others say so, but l had it so
firmly fixed in my mind, in the good old
days OF long ago, that he'was born in lower
Carolina that it is hard for me to remember
the new notion about it. Well, let it he so ;
he was great man in his day and his day
was great. 1t sometimes seems to me that
| all the great men lived in those DAYS. though.
OF course, that feeling is natural in an Old
man. Just think of it, Webster, CLAW, Cal.
houn, Cass, Polk, and multitude of others
lived then, and they were giants in intellect
and power among the people
John In reading my books of biography
ana hearing about great men of Tennessee.
1t seems to me that james K. Polk was one
OF the best statesmen We have ever had,
grandpa.
Grandpa You are right, my boy, for he
was honest as a politician, man of fine
| Judgment, OF broad and liberal views, ambi.
uOus IN the Just sense of the word, true
patriot, and besides, his moral character was
excellent Taken altogether, our country
has produced few men whose record is So
little liable to censure and so generally com.
]
which nominated him for the Presidency,
1t is said that his brother William heard the
news OF his nomination before he did and
went to his house to tell him. For his own
amusement, William Polk asked his brother
to guess who the nominee was. Mr.. Polk
guessed at it several times, Col. Bill saving
mo, Sir" every time, when Mr. Polk at last
quit guessing, and the mischevous but de-
lighted brother cried out, "His name is James
X. Polk, of Maury county, Tennessee" and
warmly congratulated him. This shows,
John, that Mr. Polk was sought by the PEG.
pie for the office and that his distinguished
merits had commended him to the country
so that he was honored by the cheerful SUI
trages of great political convention. The
office sought him, not that he was intriguing
and scheming for The Office. And the peo.
pie elected him by large vote.
John :-Grandpa you seem to feel deep
interest in these matters for an old man.
Grandpa My. heart loves my country,
my child, and long to see it controlled by
pure principles and ruled by capable, hon
est and faithful men always. We have some
such now, but | wish we had more,