The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-07

Her Recollections of Her husbands Memoir
able Campaign for President.

Her Recollections of Her husbands Memoir
able Campaign for President.
Nashville Letter in Cincinnati Enquirer.
One of the most memorable political events
was that which seated James K. Polk in the
presidential chair in 1874 Then, as now, the
question of the tariff was knotty one, and
friend quarreled with friend neighbor was at
daggers drawn with neighbor, kins-people forgot
their ties of cOnsanguinity in one wrangle upon
the subject of the tariff. Ihen as now, the
Democratic party contended for :! tariff for reve-
only, while the Wings believed that the
higher they made the tariff the cheaper would be
the goods, and this sentiment was boiled down IN
the expression, ''The higher the tariff the
cheaper the goods" which was an argument IN
the mouth Of every Wing.
James K. Polk of this State, and George NJ
Dallas, of Pennsylvania were nominated to lead
the Democratic hosts to victory, and then began
such scenes as this section of country never
cares TO witt es5 again. Every district organized
its political military company, some reaching the
proportions of battalion. Here in Nashville
the Democracy were called together to organize
a military company, when their leader told them
he thought battalion much more appropriate,
seeing the many who desired to become a part of
the military organization. Accordingly the
march began from the public square, and was
made through the principal streets of this city,
the company, in their citizens dress, call
ing upou everyone along the way
to como on and join in. Men left
their work benches, dropped their tools, quit
state and large proportion in shirt sleeves
and with work-aprons on, joined the marching
band which gathered material and enthusiasm as
it advanced, until, returning to the public
square, they mustered 300 strong. Here they
met the Harrison Guards, Wing organization,
and they began such shouts Of derison that
made pandemonium for the time on the public
streets, while the Democratic band of music
which they also enrolled played in mockery
odd Zip Coon a-sottin on "a rail, the coon
being the emblem Of the Wings, while then, as
now, it was a Democratic rooster.
Thinking over all this memorable time your
correspondent called upon Mrs. James X. Polk
to hear her opinions upon the excitement then
and now. That venerable lady was found calm
and undlsturbed by the otter events but she
was not averse to talk of the olden times when
war and bloodshed had never raised their dread
full heads in this fair country. AT the time OF
Mr. Folks nomination his home was in Column
bia and his family far remoeed from the tur-
bulent excitement that was then agltatlng the
country, and consequently the unpleasant side
of the contest never disturbed his hreSlde.
Friends made their report favorable and pleas
ant, and if there were any opposed to Mr.. Polk,
they did not tell his wife of it.
Mrs. Polk has passed her eghtyfTst birthday,
which was in September last, and she remarked
that her increasing age has somewhat dimln-
ished her ardor concerning politics, though she
ever felt, and would feel to the last moment of
her life, the deepest interest both in State and
national affairs" She said that all she knew
was what she cleaned from the newspapers, of
which she was constant reader.
One of the important questions of Mr.. Folks
canvass was the annexation Of Texas, and the
motto of the Democrats was Polk Dallas and
Texas" In those days there was no railroad
stretching its iron arms into this State, and no
Geographic wires threading their way and flash
ing intelligence throughout the country, and the
conveyance of news was necessarily slow.
Even in that early day the State of New York
was an important factor in the election, and
without her vote no candidate could succeed,
and Mrs. Polk states that in her farawaY home
news from that State was anxiously looked for.
After the election the news came by night to
Nashville, and several prominent gentlemen,
friends of Mr. Polk, took carriages and proceed
ed forthwith to Columbia, distance of forty
six miles. arriving there at 3 o'clock in the
morning
Thus it was in the silent hours of the night
that James X. Polk was notified that he was
chosen to take the highest seat in the Nation
with only those few friends around him. weared
with their long midnight ride, but anxious to be
tire first to convey the good tidings When
little Columbia awoke the next morning she
waved her hat joyously to congratulate the
new President of the United States, and after
ward turned out en- masse in one grand demon
stration. Mrs Polk had lived for years in
Washington keeping by her husbands side
while he attended his duties in Congress, and to
take her place as the lady of the White House
found her altogether in her element.
| Speaking of these times now and looking
back after the lapse of forty years. she says she
enjoyed it-enjoyed being the first lady in the
land, enjoyed being the central figure of brill
liant circle She is fond of recalling incidents
of Mr.. Folks administration and is proud
of his career. She says she regards tie
nexation of Texas and the results following
the Mexican war, that is, the acquire
ment of the CALIFORNIA;. New Mexico and all
those Territories so rich in mineral ore, as some
of the importantevents in the history of this
country. In fact, she thought Mr.. Folks ad-
mnistration was second to none, and she would
oteven except the results obtained by Mr..
Jefferson. She says history is now proving the
advantages gained by these accessions, all due
TO Mr.. Folks administration. The millionaire
owes his wealth to this source, and there is no
doubt but that the steps taken and points gained
| by James K Polk deserved the highest estimate
that could be put upon it by grateful country.
To so back to the question of the excitement
incident to this canvass and that in which Polk
was elected your correspondent also had a talk
with Charles Polk body servant to Mr. Polk,
and ever the faithful friend to his widow. Chas.
! Polk says his remembrance of the Polk canvass
| and election is as fresh in his mind to-day it
was those long forty years ago He says the
political excitement is not one-tenth as great i'll
this canvass as it was when James K Polk was
! elected