Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1844-06-13
James II. Polk, the Democratic Candi-
date for President.

tie Revolutionary War.
H. uncle, Col Thomas Polk was the principal NOV,
of the Declaration Of Independence on the part Of III
citizens OF Meehlenburgh county, more than a year /.
fore the declaration Of Independence by Congress. Doc
Ephaim Brenard, who wrote out the Declaration Itsel
and the chairman aud secretary Of the meeting that adopt
ed II, were relations Of Col Polk. The whole firmly {
the Polk : were siauuoh patriots. and did service for the
country during The war - he revolution. II l. no won
der then, that their principles. baptized a. they were II
the blood Of lie Revolution have ever been Of the frmos
democratic stamp.
The father Of Col. Polk vas an honest, cnrerprisin
farmer, Of plain manners, and in politics a democrat q
The school frho mas Jefersonlie removed to Tennc-
see IN lsO6, with his gifted son, who suli resides in Mal
y county. near the place where his father frs, located.
Ia lis. he bore of the highest honors at The Uniyer
siy Of North Carolina.
In IL he commenced the study Of the law in the Of
fee Of The celebrated Felix Grundy, and in the follow ia.
year was admitted to practice.
In l-23, he was elected To The Legislature Of Tcnncs
see and al once took a high stand 70. cloqucncc in d,bat,
and talent for business.
lie was the early personal and political friend Of Gen
Jackson, and took an active part, while n member Of The
Legislature, ia cIcciiug that distinguished patriot to llc
>cnat, of the United States.
During his first session he was instrumental in the nom
lnat'on 81 Gen Jackson as a candidate for the Presldenc,
by the Legislature of Tennessee.
80 great a reputation had he acquired, that in August
Ic21, he was elected to Congress, being only ia his ihir-
tieth year.
In August, 1899, and consequently, several months be-
fore Gen. Jhcksou's first message made lis appearance,
Col Polk took decided ground against a National Bank
in a published letter to his constituents.
Ia December, 1927, he was placed on the important
committee of Foreign Affairs, which, requiring political
Information and talent ola high order, shows the high cs
tlmatlon in which he was held al that early period Of his
career.
In December, 1882, he was transferred to the commit
Tee OF Ways aud Means, generally and then especially,
the most important committee IN Congress.
While a member of this committee, he made his cclc-
DRAFTED minority report against the Bank OF The L. States,
in which me exposed the INSCRIPTIONS conduct and cor
rupt tendencies of that t,ranncaI institution. This ar
rayed against him the whole influence oF the Bank, and
the wholesale ISLANDERS of lis hirelings from one end of
the Union TO the other.
In September, ls33, President Jackson removed IN, ma
tional treasure from the Bank Of the United States for
safety, aud although a great out cry was raised against him
AT the time by the .money power, vet the late explosion
of The Bank showing that lis whole immense capital had
been sunk, now abundanlIy proves the wisdom, honesty,
and foresight of that great man.
As the Bank made lis appearance in Congress, in great
power, IN the following session, it was considered OF the
highest importance to have a man at the head of the com
mi,iee of Ways and Means, of talent, frmness and hon.
esry one who could not be shaken by the seductive
Smiles of The money power, or the bitter assaults of IN
principlcd and disappointed ambition. Such a a was
found IN JAurs X. Polk, of Tennessee. Nobly aud ably
did he maintain hs part against a combination of strength
rarely assembled in Congress. lie bore of the palm
amid the admlrins plaudis Of the democracy.
The commanding talents fool. Polk could be no lon
ger kept in The back ground. Accordingly, in December,
100 I-.-I
aiivcs, which post he retained for four years when he
elected Governor Of Tennessee.
Col. Polk is a seli-made man. Thrown on the from
tiers with but few advantages in early life, he steadily ov-
ercane every difficulty, and has attained to his present
IN the affections of his countrymen by his almost
unaidad cxcrilons.
\ leading trait in ms character is his consistent, firm,
fearless support of Democratic principles in the worst
most discouraeing times. Ills practice aud profess
sions have uniformly correspondent.
The following sketch OF Col Polk, drawn from the De-
mocratic Review, may not be unacceptable.
MIR Polk Is a ready debater, with a style and manner
forcible and impressive. Ia dIscus>Ion, lie has been al
WAYS distinguished 10y great courtesy, never having been
known Ia indulge IN offensive personality, which, con-
sIdering the prominence of his course, and the ardor of
his convictions. l. no small merit. A. "A proof of his ex-
emrlary as>idniiy. he Is stid never to have missed a dvi-
SION, While occup,In Il seat on the floor Of The House.
his name beng found upon every list OF the yeas and
navS. Ills ambition was tn be- a useful member a. well as
a prominent actor, and accordingly he always performed
more than "A full share of the active business uf csi>lation.
In person lac = nf middle stature. with n fall. angular
brow. aud a quick and penetrating eve. The expression
of h> couuicnance l. grave. but I> scrOus cast l. often re-
hy a peculiarly pleasant smile, indicative ol the
amcnii, of In, dispositions. The amlablc character of
his private life. which has ever been uprIgh; and pure,
secures 10 hun the esteem and 4 Iend>hip OF all wlo hive
he advantage Of bis acquaintance.
Instead of thru>tin. himself forward for office, Col.
has always waited for The call of the people. And
his nomination for the Presidency mus, have been as
to him as it j. sraiif, ing to his friends.
II was found difficult to harmonize all of the democrat
ry upon either ofihe distinguished names most spoken of.
bn, with common consent they hailed the name Of
jaws X Polk.
1t - Il glorious and Distinguishing trait Of the Democrat
c party, that while they honor those who support their
principles, they honor their principles FAR more. Men
away, but principles are eternal. With JANIS n.
Polk, we have the evidence of his " hole political life that
our principles are safe.
lie Is not a hackncycd, worn out aud viniictive polifi-
bu, comes a new man, springins fresh from the bo-
som of the people. Every thing, IN every quarter. points
To his success. South Carolina and New York, Maine
and Louisiana all will Vie with each other in his support.
Already the rising shouts of appreciation are borne on
ever, breeze and from every quarter, the sure harbinger
Of approaching victory. Soon " Ill the banner OF democ-
50 latel, trampled in the dust by insulting federal
ism, be reared aloft and unfurled To the breeze in all lis
brightness aud purify amid the 10, Gus shouts of
millions OF frcemen.
All Safe!