The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1844-07-10

under the direction of Mr.. Samuel p Black, Just
| ly celebrated in that region as a classical teach
er. In the autumn of 1915, he entered the Uni
versity Of North Carolina, having, in less thar
two years and half, thoroughly prepared himself
to commence his collegiate course 1t will be
seen from this hasty sketch, that the history O
the Speaker furnishes an interesting example O
talent and perseverance triumphlng over dishear
tening difficulties in early life. So frequent are
such instances, that it would almost seem that
true merit requires the ordeal of adverse circum
stances, to strengthen its temper and distinguish
It from unsubstantial pretension.
Mr.. Polk's career at the University was distn
gushed. At each semi-annual examination he
bore away the first honor, and finally graduated
in 1918, with the highest distinction of his class
and with the reputation of being the first scholar
in both the mathematics and classics. OF the
former science he was passonately fond, though
equally distinguished as lingust His course
at college was marked by the same assduity and
studiols application which have since character
lied him. His ambition to excel was equalled
by his perseverance alone, in proof of which it is
said, that he never missed recitation, nor omit
| ted the punctilious performance Of any duty
Habits of close application at college are apt to
be despsed by those who pride themselves on
brilliancy of mind, as they were incompatible
| This is melancholy mistake. Genius has even
been defined the faculty of application. The
latter is, at least, something better, and more a.
vailable. So carefully has Mr.. Polk avoided the
pedanty of classical display, which is the false
taste of our day and country, as almost to hide
the acquisitions which distinguished his early ca
Tie Il
| tial, indicated by his youthful passion for the
mathematics, has made him select style of elo-
cuton which would, perhaps, be deemed too
plain by the shallow admirers Of Aashy declama.
ton. The worst of all styles is the forid ant
exaggerated. 1t is that of minds which are, as
it were, overaid by their acquisitions. They
break down beneath burden which they have
not strength to bear
Deep versed in books, but shallow in themseves'
The mind should rather be fertilized by cul
tWe than encountered with foreign productions
Pedantry is at once the result and proof of sci
osm.
Returning to Tennessee, from the State which
lis, in two senses, his alma mater, with health
considerably impaired by excessive application
Mr. Polk, in the beginning of the year 1919
commenced the study of the law in the office oI
Senator Grundy, and late in 1920 was admitted
to the bar. He commenced his professional ca
reer in the county of Maury, with great advanta,
ges, derived from the connection of his family
with its early settlement. To this hour his war
most friends are the sharers of his fathers early
privations and difficulties, and the associates o.
his youth But his success was due to his per
senal qualities, still more than 10 extrinsic advan
tages. A Republican in habits as we'll as in prn
ciples, depending for the maintenance of his dig
nifty upon the esteem Of others, and not upon his
own assumption, his manners conciliated the gen
eral good will. The confidence Of his friends
was justified by the result. His thorough acad
emical preparation, his accurate knowledge o.
the law, his readiness and resources in debate
| his unwearied application to business, secured
a year he was already leading practitioner
Such prompt success in profession where the
early stages are proverbially slow and discoura
ging, falls TO the lot of few.
Mr.. Polk continued to devote some years ex
clusively to the laborous prosecution ofhis pro-
fession, with progressive augmentat :on of rep.
utation, and the more solid rewards by which il
is accompanied. In 1923, he entered upon the
stormy career of politics, being chosen to repre-
sent his county in the State Legislature, by hea.
/ Wy majority over the former incumbent, but moi
without formidable opposition. He was, for two
successive years, member of that body, where
his ability in debate, and talent for business, a
once gave him reputation. The early persona
and political friend of General Jackson, he wa:
one Of those who, in the session Of 1S23-'24, cal
led that distinguished man from his retirement
| by electing him to the Senate of the United
States; and he looks back with pride to the par
he took in an act which was followed by sucl
important consequences. In August, 1925, be-
| ing then in his thrtieth year, Mr.. Polk was cho
sen to represent his district in Congress, and, in
the ensuing December, took his seat in that body
where he has remained ever since. He brough
| with him into the national councils those funda
mental principles to which he has adhered through
all the personal mutations of party. From hi'
early youth, he was Republican of the ''strct
est Sect" He has ever regarded the Constitu
ton of tae United States as an instrument of spe
cifc and limited powers, and that doctrine is a
the very foundation of the Democratic creed
OF course, he has ever beon what is termed a
strict constructonst, repudiating, above all things
the latltudinarian interpretations of federalism
which tend to the consolidation of all power il
the central government. He has signalized his
hostility TO these usurping doctrines in all their
modes. He has always refused his assent to the
appropriation of money, by the Federal Govern
ment, for what he deems the unconstitutiona
purpose Demonstrating works ofinternalimprove
ment within the States. He took ground early
against the constitutionality, as we'll as expedi
ency, of a National Bank and in August, 1929
consequently several months before the appear
ance of General Jackson's first message, announ
ced then his opinion in published letter to his
constituents. lie has ever been opposed TO al
oppressive tariff for protection, and was, at al
times, the strenuous advocate of reduction o
the revenue to the economical wants of the Gov
onment. Entertaining these opinions, as W.