The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1844-07-10
BIOGRAPHICAL.
From the Democratic Review, May 1888.
JAMES IA, POLK.

10 consequently III lle IoIty-lnlrd year OF MS age.
His ancestors, whose originalname, Pollock, has,
by oblous transition, assumed its present form,
emgrated, more than a century ago, from Ire
land, country from which many of our most dis
tnguished men are proud to derive their origin
They established themselves first in MARYLAND,
where some of their descendants still soiourn
The branch of the family from which is sprung
the subject of this memoir, removed to the neigh
borhood of Carlisle, in Pennsylvania, and thence
TO the western frontier of North Carolina. some
time before the commencement of the Reyolu-
tionary war. Its connection with the eventful
struggle, is one ofrare distinction On the twen-
tieth of May, l775, consequently more than
twelvemOnth anterior to the declaration of the
Fourth of July, the assembled inhabitants of Nee
lenburgh county, publicly absolved themselves
from their allegiance TO the British crown, and is
sued formal manifesto of independence, in terms
of manly eloquence, which have become "famil-
lar as household Words to the American people.
Col. Thomas Polk, the prime mover in this act
of noble daring, and one of the sgners of this first
Declaration of Independence, was the great un-
Gle of the present Speaker, who is also connec-
ted with the Alexanders, Chairman and Secreta-
ry OF the famous meeting, as we'll as with DIR.
Ephram 3revard, the author of the Declaration
itself*
MIR. Jefferson having, sincerely, no doubt, but
upon merely negative grounds, questioned the
authenticity OF this interesting piece of history,
the Legislature OF North Carolina, with becom-
ing pride of patriotism, caused the evidence es-
)tablshing its validity to be collected in a com
Iplete shape, and deposited in the archives of the
State. The people of Mecklenburg were, al
most TO man, staunch Wings, in the genuine,
Revolutionary, acceptation of the term, and have
been up to the present day remarkable for their
Imwavering adherence to the Democratic princi-
pies. AS an evidence of the sturdy indepen-
dence which characterizes them. it is often plea
sanity observed that, at the last war; they took up
arms SIX months before, and did not lay them
down until twelve months after, the Government.
In the contest for independence several of Mr.
Polk's relatives distinguished themselves, even
to the peril of life. To be allied TO such peo-
pie and lineage, is a fit subject for honorable
pride. Liberty does not frown upon the indul-
gence of a sentiment so natural She does not
reject the heritage of HONOR while refusing, to
add to it, social orpotical distinctions subversive
Iofequal rights. The American people have al
ways manifested an af1ectonate regard for those
who bear the names of the heroes or martyrs of
the Revolution They furnish not proof of the
alleged ingratitude of republics.
The father of Mr.. Polk was farmer of unas-
suming pretensions, but enterprsing character.
Thrown upon his own resources in early life, he
became the architect of his own fortunes. He
was warm supporter of Mr. Jefferson, and
through life a firm and consistent Republican,
In the autumn of 1906, he removed to Tennes-
see, where he was among the first pioneers of the
fertile valley of Duck river, then Wilderness,
but now the most iourishing and populous por-
ton of the State. The magical growth ofa coun-
try which was but yesterday redeemed from the
sole dominion of nature, is phenomenon of
great moral and political interest, and cannot fail
to impress character of strength and enterprise
upon the authors and participators of the wonder
tu result.--E1ow can man languish or halt, when
all around him is expanding and advancing with
Iirrepressible energy? In this region, Mr.. Polk
still resides, that he may be said, literally to
have grown with its growth, and strengthened
with its strength. OF course, in the infancy of
its settlement, the opportunities for instruction
could not be great. Notwithstanding this disad-
Ivantage--and the still more formidable one ola
painful affctIon, from which, after years of suf-
tering, he was finally relieved by surgical oper-
ation-he acquired the elements of good En-
Iglish education. Apprehending that his consti-
tuition had been too much impaired to permit the
confinement of study, his father determined,
much, however, against the will of the son, to
make him a commercial man; and with this view
Iactually placed him with merchant. Upon what
slender threads hang the destinies of life! A lit
tie more, and the uncompromising opponents of
the Bank Of the United States, the Democratic
Speaker of the House of Representatives, might
have been at this day, it spite of his origin and
early tendencies, Wing preacher of panics, ut
terng .jeremidds forthe fate of that shadowy and
intangible thing yclept Credit system"
"If shape it nightbe caIrd, that shape had none,
DistinguishobIe in member, joint or limb;
Or substance might beaSalled, that shadow seem'd
For each seemed either"
lie remained few weeks in situation ad
verse to his wishes and incompatible with his
taste. Finally, his earnest appeal succeeded in
overcoming the resistance of his father, and in
Tradition ascrbes TO Thomas Polk the prin-
cipal agency in bringing about the Declaration.
He appears to have given the notice for the cleo
ton ofthe Convention, and (being the colonel of
the county, to have supermtended the election
in each of the militia districts. lie had been
for long time engaged in the service of the
province as a surveyor, and as member of the
Assembly; and was thus intimately acquainted
not only in Mecklenburg, but in the counties
generally. His education had been acquired,
not within the classic walls of an English univer-
Isity, but among his own native hills, and amidst
the passions ana feelings of his countrymen.
DIR. Ephraim Brevard, (the author of the Declar-
ation) and Wraightstl Avery, (he first attorney
general ofNorth Caroina) were men ofthe high
est classical attainments, and contributing their
enlightened resources to the shrewd native en-
thusiasm of Thomas Polk, produced Decara-
ton at that time unrvaled, not only for the neat