The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-08

the sweetness and light OF an abiding
and tender friendship. The bishop lies
in the little graveyard which surrounds
st. Johns church, Ashwood, a few miles
ont from Columbia, and the scientific COM
modore, who survived the civil war, found
everlasting peace few years ago at Lex.
ington, Va. James X. Polk, President OF
the United States, practiced law here, and
although Henry Clay sarcastically
asked who this Polk was, when
his nomination by the Democratic
party was announced, he was well
known in the State rs a strong speaker, an
able lawyer an earnest Presbyterian, and
an honorable, upright citizen. lie had
been Governor in 1880, and had large ex-
perlence in national affairs as speaker of
the House OF Representatives. Dividing
the history OF the Union preceding the pc
Rod of the civil war into three parts-N.)
The Revolutionary Period; CD That OF the
war OF 1872, beginning with the century;
90 The Independence OF Texas and War
with MeXico-we find two Tcnnesscans
most conspicuous ~ leaders, during the
second and third, jackson and Polk. Dur.
ing the second, Jefferson accomplished the
purchase OF Louisiana and opened the
Mississippi as the highway OF the CONT
nent, under one flag and free from all for
eign control. This compelled the cession
OF Florida, and gave the Union many great
States. But west of these there was vast
territory extending TO the Pacific. This,
Polk, us n result OF the Mexican war,
added 10 the Union, and from 1t has been
drawn hundreds of millions of gold and
silver, and within its borders many hun.
drcds of thousands Of people have found
homes, and from il carved California, Col.
orado, Nevada, Arizona, Washington
Territory and Oregon. by the purchase OF
Louisiana the people of the young repub-
lie still mourning the death OF Washing
ton, realized for the first time their ma.
tional power, and for the second time
measured that strength with European
nations in the field Of diplomacy. That
transaction, the wiscst Jefferson effected
after the foundation OF the Democratic
party stands out as the most wonderful
achievement OF the republic after that OF
independence. Ii was necessary 10 pre-
serve peace with Spain and France, and
was essential 10 the rapid growth Of the
southwest. The Mississippi under two
flags never could have been free river,
and for the development Of the west Il
must he free. Jefferson accomplished this
purchase by n stretch Of prcrogatIye, and
thereby justified the later purchase Of
Alaska from Russia by Seward. Polk
secured greater stretch of terri.
tory than Jefferson and much
richer aud gave an impetus TO the
republic that il never ielt before. 1915
was q remarkable year all over the world,
but nowhere was IL so fruitful OF results a.
here in the United States. Two citizens
OF Columbia became famous in connection
with the events NSi6.isl that brought
about these rcsults-prcsidcnt Polk aud
Gen Gideon ]. Pillow The latter. who
was for years familiar figure in the
streets OF Memphis, survived them to take
a conspicuous part in the civil war, that
greatest of all our cras, whence the repub-
lie dates its new lease OF life and during
which IL learned that u had the strength
and stamina and power VI great nation.
the most powerful OF modern times.
"Gid" Pillows father, Col. William I'll.
low. was q great Indian fighter, who
helped 10 clear the forests OF Middle Ten.
nesscc OF timber aud Indians, and with hs
father came into the State soon after the
revolution, in which the senior Pillow had
taken part. lie was a COnspicuOusly brave
man, perhaps little too ycnturcsome
when one recalls the value OF such life
in q sparscly settled country Oycrrun by
scalning savagrs. Ills son was
equally brave, and in Mexico con.
tested the command Of the army
with Gen. Scott. President Polk was his
friend ~ well as neighbour, and stood by
him maniuily through heated dis.
pute with the gallant but iussy
commandor-in.chici Through these two
public characters, the statesman and
the soldier. Maury county aud COlum.
bia arc connected with great events Ia the
history OF the world, 10y Commodore
Maury with science aud the most useful
connected with navigation
since the mariners compass came 10 take
the place Of the stars, AMI 10y aud through
the sainted Otcy with the diffusion Of
aud religion IN the field which
Polk 10y his anncxntions Wilcned from the
Sabine 90 the Pacific. No other spot In
the State has such memories, not even the
capital whose feet are lnycd by the boauii.
iul Cumberland, which pcrpctuatcs the
name Of q ruthless soldier, the savage who
the Scottish Highlands
Polk, the pure and lofty
was one Oi the famous aud successful
arners Of this region before lee became
bishop OF Louisiana. lie built ~. Johns
'hurch. and his body lies buried near the
'hanccl OF a. where he many times lifted
lp his voice IN prayer and praise. Kin |
lred dust lies all about him, and many NJ |
his relatives survive near by, among them |
lac much respected Gen. Lucius Polk, |
sho bears the marks aud suffers |
rom the effects Of wounds received |
Turing the civil war. The Folks /.
re all OF them spoken Of with great re-. !
pect boy their ncighbOrs ~ u chyalrOus I
ace, living up 10 n high sense of honor, |
Ilways polite and allablc IN their inter. /
'ourR with the world. Many Of them are |
about the world, and one, for. |
ncrly Miss Antoinette, daughter 81 the /
,rincely Andrew Polk. resides In Rome, |
he wife Of Gen. Charcttc and the friend |
md contdantc Of the beautiful Queen Mar. |
'arct Of Italy. Many OF the broad acres Of |
which she IL the owner lie fallow and by |
contrast with the farms Of Col Riddley, |
he leading farmer Of the State, Of Mr.. Grey, 1
hardware merchant Of Nashville, and .
lso son.in.law Of Mr.. Jerome Pillow,
nd that Of Pillow Bethel Is Wild and nm.
tempt. The other Polk places are well
maintained by their possessors, vino,
hough they do not keep up the grand and
,roud estate that distinguished them In
days, dispense genial and 4
Ieariy hospitality. Is II any wonder the
,cople Of Maury are proud, apir.
ted, and jealousy year by year increase
heir power, that they continue 10 conserve
heir old time prestige for education and
Intelligence and are especially proud Of
heir farms maintained At the highest con.
iiion Of cultivation Nowhere save In
he region Of country from the Ohio, be-
Onl the Tennessee. into north Alabama