DEATH OF JAMES KNOX POLK
In our last issue, we briefly announced the death of James K. Polk, late President of the United States. Seized about two weeks since, by a violent attack of a disease to which, in chronic form, he has been long subject, rendered doubtless more malignant by the prevalence of the epidemic in our midst, he lingered, alternating between life and death, until Friday the 15th instant, when at eighteen minutes before 5 o’clock, p.m., he finally sunk to rest. During the continuance of his illness, and up to the very few moments previous to his dissolution, he retained consciousness. Aware of his critical situation, and, from an early period of his illness, satisfied that his earthly career was drawing to a close, he calmly prepared himself for the crisis. With that strong moral courage so conspicuous in every act of his eventful life, he looked to a fatal termination of his disease without fear and died without a murmur or a struggle.
The city authorities on the official announcement of his demise, met at the City Hall, and passed resolutions deploring the visitation of Providence which had deprived them of the society and services of their distinguished townsman, tendering to his afflicted family their condolence for the heavy misfortune that had befallen them, and requesting the citizens of the town to close all houses of business or recreation on the day of his funeral as a mark of respect to the deceased. The funeral was appointed to take place on Saturday the 16th at 3 o’clock p.m.
In accordance with the request of the Mayor and Aldermen, all the ordinary avocations were suspended, stores and other places of business closed and several houses draped in black on the day indicated. At the special request of the deceased, he was consigned to the tomb by the Masons, and with Masonic honors. After the fraternity had gone through with the customary ceremonies – both affecting and impressive – at his residence, the body was conveyed to the Methodist Church, and a funeral sermon delivered by the Rev. J. B. McFerrin. The speaker, in that portion of his remarks personal to the deceased, gave a brief sketch of his life and public career, passed a high and deserved eulogium on his moral character and unblemished integrity, and detailed in a forcible and impressive manner, the particulars of his last illness and death. Early in his sickness Mr. Polk had connected himself with the Methodist Episcopal Church – a church for which, as his friends all know, he always felt a preference. The funeral services performed, the body was conveyed to the grave yard, accompanied by the masons, the city authorities, and a long train of mourning citizens, and deposited in the tomb with masonic forms, after a brief, but beautiful and appropriate address by Wilkins Tannehill, P.G.M., preaching officer of the fraternity. A benediction by the minister closed the ceremonies, and our distinguished fellow-citizen was left to his last and long repose…
He sleeps with the great and good who have gone before him. May the earth lie lightly over this remains.
Partial Transcript to be found on the site
http://www.thenashvillecitycemetery.org/newspapers-polk.htm
together with other contemporary comments in relation to Polk's death.
On this site you may also find the memorial sermon delivered by James Hervey Otey, who was a lifelong friend of Polk's since their college days, and the Requiem for Polk, which was set to music and sung at his grave:
Gather in silence here,
Dust lies on the statesman’s brow
His elegant voice is hushed in death,
And the proud form lieth low.
Draw ye around his tomb,
Drop a tear for your country’s dead,
For the heavy hand of care hath pressed
To the earth, a weary head.
His thoughts were a nation’s guide,
On his word hung the battle array.
But his breath which summoned the countless best
Now is cold as the ocean spray
Gray and worn we lay him here,
In the might of his fresh renown,
With the people’s sighs, his requiem,
And the laurel wreath his crown.
In faith we give him up,
With his “country’s wishes blest,”
In the trusting hope of a better world,
Where the weary are at rest.