Columbus Whig. (Columbus, Miss.) 1843-18??, 1844-06-27
COLONEL POLK.

1 NOLOANGA . OAAs
Ifitis proper when an individual is presented
az candidate for the suffrages of the people,
to enquire into his past services, qualifications
and opinions, il becomes our iGnPerious duty to
do SO. when he seeks the highest ofice within
their glf. All experience shows that promises
made with view 10 an election, are given in
| profusion and broken with facility. High a.
are the claims which Colonel Polk puts forward
for consistency. a retrospect of his political
course, is far from exhibiting him in that ligh'.
In u circular which he addressed to his con-
stituents in the carly part of his Congressional
career. he was The warm advocate Of internal
| improvement by the General Government and
considered the question nj that time settled. as
the permanent policy of the government. This
opinion he afterwards abandoned and become
| its bitter opponent. At subsequent period he
was the champion of the pet bgHk system, ~
which the deposiles were removed from the Uni
ted States Bank, and placed in the State Banks,
thereby converting them into financial agents
of the government. When this system exploded
in the hands Of the administration, as every
statesman knew il must. The S0b-Tressury pro,
ject which he had previously denounced with
great vehemence. suddenly become favorite
schemes-Nlt will thus be teen that Colonel Polk
lNslead OF embracing great and comprehensive
princIplcs Of policy and adh@ring to them, has
'vesFed with every within. Of General Jackson,
aud has stuck with a. much tenacity to the old
hero As his own shadow. The people will never
Insent TO elect TO an Office of such high re-
sponslbility, who has never had the indcpend-
cnce TO think OF act for himself and whose sol>
cmhiy expressed opinions have been but the
echo of n superior.
Under the circumstances VIC cannot conceive
how his most devoted friends. without the utmost
stretch Of creduity, think for q moment
that he will be elected. II would be doing vic.
lence TO every just and equitable principle Of
bestowing Office for past aud important services,
and unless the people determine 10 give the
Presidency 10 Governor Polk. ex CRATIC. there
can be no probability Of such an event, or even
q respectable approximation to it.
But it 10 amusing to see the violent efforts
which the leaders are making, 10 work them
felves into IN excitement. insignificant meet.
ings are magnied into mammoth assemblies.
and cold acquiescence into burning enthusiasm,
But they are like the fellow who whistIed to keep
his courage up. There is nothing in the char
acter of their leader to excite popular enthusi>
asm. or TO rally the people with any devotion
around his sta ndard.
They are not gnllable as TO be thrown into
splsn of excitement at the bare sight or the
mention of the name Of stranger. Such out
bursts of affection are only give to those whom
years of TIL and service has stewn to be the
true friend of the people. and whose scts and
achievements have been Of that exalted and dis,
interested character, as to secnre their conf
dsnce and love. They require tangible evi-
dcnces of patriotism-cmIncnt services in times
of Peril-not the hollow professions Of the dem
agrgue.. The selection of supreme ruler 10
one Of the highest prerogatives aRpertaining to
treemen-and the inclination of every nation,
both barbarous and civilized, will be to prefer
the most wcrlhy-him whb in times that are
past, has shewn himself imbued with the wis
dom to control. and the selEsacriicing spirit TO
prefer his country to himself Adopting this
rule the Wings have nothing 70 fear. Let the
candid mind contrast Polk and Clay--if indeed
ne can comPare the effulgence Of mid day with
night. There is not a single faculty Of thW
mind in which the Keatuckian is not infinitely
his superior, from the lofliesi mental achieve.
mene, to pleasant FepaItce.
1t would then be the worst Of the mad exu.r;.
n1eDts inflicted 0pon the country for so manv
years, to elect Colonel Polk President. N.
has not given evidence Of single ouali6ca.
ton for the arduous and difficult duties Of the
oehce to which he aspires. He has gained all |
The character and distinction which he ever had
~ being the blind and devoted follower oil
Jackson.
GEORGE NJ. Dallas. the LOcofoco candidate for
the Vice Presidency. il in the most awkward
9redicameat of any one we have ever known
N search Of Office. During the whole career of
his political kfs, q exsmpliEed by his speeche.
in Congress- and his sotes. he has no. held /. |
principls p common with ths party thai he i.
now setting with. n The 6erce war Which
General Jackecn waged ppon The Bank of =.
United States. he was The chief ol.aunpion or,,,s
Banls and even sid that thsso.d hero dr.. =. |
geso the bill He warmly supported and vo,ss
/ FIR ME- ffauea