Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-06-18
POLITICAL,
JAMES X. POLK, OF TENNESSEE.
From the Baltimore Republican.

be received with such a unanimous appro
val as that of the patriotic, able, and excel.
lent gentleman whose name heads this ar
ticle. And that there are good and suffi-
cient reasons for such unanimity of feeling
towards the nominee, is to be found in his
whole character asa man, politician, and
statesman. An account of the history
Of this distinguished patriot will doubtless,
at this time, prove highly acceptable to
our readers, and we therefore proceed to
the task of giving such sketch as our
time and limits viii! permit.
JAMES X. Polk was born in Mecklen-
burg county, North Carolina, on the sec
ond day of November, 1875, and is now in
The 49th year of his age. The original
name OF his ancestors was Pollock; they
emi9rated from Ireland more than a cen.
fury ago, and first settled themselves in
Maryland, where several branches of the
family still remain. That branch from
which our candidate more immediately
sprung, removed first to the vicinity oil
Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and thence to the
western frontier of North Carolina, some
time bcioro the revolutionary war. Tho
mas Palk, well known as one OF the sign
crs, il not the prime mover, Of the celebra-
tod Mccklenburg declaration of indepen-
dence, was the grand uncla of our nomi-
nee. Indeed, the whole family were noted
for their uncompromising democratic prin-
ciples; and to this day are characterized
Tor thai slurdiness of Independence which
led Colonel Thomas Polk, with others, to
absolve themselves under their signatures
from all allegiance To Great Britain more
taaa we.vcmun;h before the declaration
OF Congress ia I77j. OF The people OF
Mr. Folks native county, II has often been
SAID, as an evidence Uf their bold and ready
patriotism, that Eat the last war they took
up arms SIX months bsfore, and did not LAY
Them down till twelve month"; inter, the
government" man IN from such an
cestors, with his Infancy nurturcd in the
atmosphere of such n region, can be moth
ING but a democrat an unyialdIng. un
compromising democrat; and such man
is James X. Polk.
Mr.. Polk's father was an unassuming
but enlerprlsIug farmer. He was the ma :
kcr Of hS own fortunes, and Il warm sup
porter of Mr. Jefferson. In IS06, he be-
came one OF the first pIone rs Of what is
now tbs Nest tlourshng aud populous por-
ton OF IrnRessec. la our wilderness set
Elements, the opportunities of education, OF
c"urs,'- are very $canly. Notwithstanding
this dificully, hiwever, oar candidate man.
aged Ia acquire the clements OF an English
education. Aud So EARNEST were his de-
SireS for improvement, aud So ardent HIS
appeals, that, although Oh account OF his
feeble health he was placed Tor a few
weeks IA "A store, with the inlcat OF making
hun commercial man, yet the resistance
OF ms father was overcome, and, alter due
preparation at an academy, he entered in
Is the University Of North Carolina,
from which he graduated in 1919, carry
ing off the highest distinction in his class
aud with the reputation of being the bes
scholar both in the classics and mathe-
ma lies.
Early in 1919, Mr. Polk commenced the
study OF law with the late Senator Grundy,
and late in 1890 was admitted 10 the bar
In 1898, then in his 18th year, he was
chosen 10 represent his county in the Lee
glsIature o! Tennessee. Here he remained
tor TWO successive years; and with pride
he looks back 10 The opportunity this posi-.
ton gave him to aid, with others, in calling
Andrew JACKSON from his retirement, BY
eIecting him to the Senate of the United
States. For TINS venerable and veneraiet
man he entertained an early persona, an,
political friendship u friendship which, t
this moment. has never known ''Shadov
of turning"
In 1875. then in his Both year, Mr.
Polk was elected as a member Of Congress
Bringing with him the soundest plinciplc
OF the democratic school. he soon BEGAN,
known as republican of the '.strictes
sect With only one or two exceptions
he was the Youngest member of the Hous,
of RepresenIatl' eS, and an opporiunii,
was not long wanting 10 give evidence o
his capacity as well us OF his principles
The foul corruption which gave issue +,
the election Of John q. Adams TO the pre-
sldency by the House, through the traudu
lent bargain with Clay, led TO PROPOSE
ton 10 amend the constitution in such man
ner as to give the choice o. President an
Vice President directly TO the people. =
This is what ought TO be the case-th
whole system of voting through electors i
wrong, aud needs repeal. In favor of thi
proposition, Mr.. Polk made his first speec
in Congress, which, we are told, lat one
attracted the attealion of the country, b,
the force of its reasoning, the copiousnes
of lis research, and the spirit of honest in
dignation by which it was animated. |
was at once seen that his ambition was 4
distinguish himself by substantial merit
rather than rhetorical display, 1.-THE roc!
upon which most young orators split"
Al the same session, the notoriou:
scheme of old federalism, known as the
"tanama mission, was preached. Agans
this attempted subversion of the rights anC
powers OF the House Mr.. Polk took bold
stand emhodying his views in a series OIL
resolutions, based upon the doctrines o.
thefepublican party Of '9s.
In December, 1927, Mr.. Polk was placs,
on the important committee of foreigp ol'
fairs. lie was also chairman of the sala,
committee TO which was referred that nor
ton Of JacksQn's message in reference :,
the probable accumulation OF a surplus il
The treasury after the anticipated extin
guishment OF the public debt. The rcpor