Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-11-26
OUR NEXT PRESIDENT.
The following article from The "South


The following article from The sSouthern
Reformer," published in Jackson, Missssip-
p. is suit able answer, on the present JOY
ous occasion, to the ofi-repeated inquiry of
"Who is James X. Polk?''
ale does not need to hide his life under
the screen of another mans sanctlty "-Such
is the great and noble character of James X.
Polk, the peoples choice for the Presidency
ofthe American union. We have beheld
him from his earliest career in public life,
with the deepest emot ions of sympathy and
regard. A poor, but high-minded youth, he
sheds the luslre of his early genius around
his fellow classmates at school and al college.
1t was in The dark reccsscs of the forest,
where the light of his intellect first burst
forth; il was there where dwell the poor set
tiers on the public domain; where industry
and virtue piled the plough and the axe;
where temperance and religion guided hui
man desinies; where all were equal and felt
their equality, that the morning hours of
James X. Polk gilded the page of history.
Next we find him, grown into gorous man
hood, honored with the confidence of his
friends and neighbors with seat in the le-
gislative halls of Tennessee. HIS conduct
in that body strikes out for him still higher
honors. Eloquent in speech, honest in prin-
clples, Jealous in support of democratic
measures, vigilant in his duties TO his consti-
tuents, entertaining always profound res
pect for the sovereign power Of his country
men-the same people who supported him
for the present office, call upon him to enter
the Congress OF the Representatives of tie
nation.
Transferred to new sphere of acton :;
among men who were unknown TO him; all
ambitious of distinction ;men Of great genius
aud talents; many selected for their abilities
by the most refined portions OF the republic :;
he was again left to the weight of his own
merits, either TO sink as many had done be-
fore like meteors transient in the air. or rise
as had rose his former genius, the brightest
constellation in the galaxy around. Ii was
but brief hour i'll his existence that his
name was unknown. First young man,
chosen from among grey-headed sires, we
find him the active member of the commit t.
tee on foreign relations--l pilot at the helm
of the nations affairs with the whole govern
ments Of the earth. Another step in the
ladder OF fame is taken, and the peoples C.
personalities have placed him in the chair
Of the Committee of Ways and Means-the
great wheel upon which turns the financial
policy of the nation; and last, as if clos ng
his career in that body with the same unsul
lied glory which clusters around the sum
mer's evening sun; his virtues, intelli gence,
craftsmanship, the influence of mighty
mind have won for him he admiration, the
love, the respect Of all his confederales, and
over them he is chosen 10 prcsde--honered
with the highest office in the halls of the
nations Congress.
The Democracy Of the Union can dwell
upon his career in that body as one of the
proudest inches in the fame of her ch,mpi-
ons Always consistent in his political prin-
cples and powerful in his coquence, he
grapplcs, with hcrculean arm the hydra-he :.
ded monsters that peered their heads fion
the measures oftur opponents. With Jack
son. he crushed the bank and laid It's head
in the dust: he opposed the wild excuses OF
Clay; fought on the side of public economy
and constitutional right: defended the revo-
lulonary pensioners and urged the rights OF
the settlers on public laeds. HIS course
was frank, bold, and decided. He fought
for principle, and for ii woalI have sacrificed
his life.
The Union thanked him; every patriot
loved him, and The people honorcd him with
the Gubernaiora chair of his state. Truly
may we say, james X. Polk ''dces not need
to hide his life under another mans sancti
ty." He has strobe the rough road of pre-
iermenl-met the warncst opposition of the
enemy at every step; bravcd all attacks in
triumph; braycd them with a pure unsulicd
character; an undyng resolution TO defend
the righ; shone forth before the country with
the fires of his own intellect, the promptings
of patriotism ana love of country; a desire to
do good unto all men; and, Ike the Cincn-
natus of old, he has been called forth from
the retirement. of his farm, and while bis am
billion wandered no farther than his freside,
10 preside over the destinies of his country
How glorious life-how high u testimony
of public virtue. Proudly may we record
the name of James X. Polk, as one of the
lllustrious examples Of the character of the
American republic.