Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1844-06-08
a Short Biography Of James X. Polk,
THE CANpIDATE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
FOR THE PREsipENcy.

FOR THE PREsIDENcy.
Since Mr.. Polk has received the nomination
Of the Democratic party for the Office Of Presi-
dent, the events OF his life and his public ca
,eer have became matters of public interest.
We find brief biographical sketch in the New
York Plebeian, Democratic paper, which pur-
ports to give the public career of this gentle
man, which we transfer to our columns for the
satisfaction of those who are not so well acquain-
ted with the history Of his life and actions.
Mr. Dallas is too well known in this communi-
ty to render such biography necessary, and
wherever he is known he is generally admired
and respected. Mr.. Polk, it will be seen, was
born the I'd Of November, 1895, and is therefore
in the 49th year. Mr. Dallas was born on the
10th of July, 1902, and is therefore in his SD
year. These are ripe ages, when the intellect
of the individual has been matured by knowl.
edge and experience, and the passions and pre-.
Judices of earlier years sobered and mellow
ed by time as to assist the judgment. We CO.
py from the Plebean:
Mr. Polk was born in Mecklenburg county
North Carolina, on the ID OF November, 1875,
and consequently, is now in the forty,ninth year
Of his age. Hisancestors emigrated, more than
a century ago, from Ireland The original
name was Pollock but an elsion of two of the
middle letters has changed the name to a mono
syllable They first established themselves in
the State of Maryland, where many of the ia.
mly still soourn. Previous to the Revolution
ary War; the branch of the family from which
sprung the distinguished man who is the sub.
ject of this biography, and who is destined to
fill one ofthe most exalted tions in the world,
removed to the neighborhood of Carlisle in the
State of Pennsylvania, and thence to the west
ern frontior ofNorth Carolina. The part taken
by the Polk family in the glorious struggle for
American Independence is one of rare dis
tinction. On the Goth of May, more than one
year anterior to the Declaration of lndepen-
dence, the inhabitants Of Mecklenburg county,
the birthplace Of Mr.. Polk, assembled and pub.
licly absolved themselves from their allegiance
10 the British crown, and issued declaration
to that effect. The terms of manly eloquence
in which this manifesto was written has caused
1t to be termed by some the first Declaration OF
Independence. Col. Thomas Polk the great
uncle of James K, the present Democratic no
minee for the Presidency, was one Of the prime
movers and signer ofthe first Declaration o.
Independence. The evidence of the authent
city and genuineness of this interesting docu
ment has been collected by the Legislature o
North Carolina and deposited in the archives o
the State. The people of Mecklenburg were
almost to man staunch Wings in the true re-
volution acceptaton Of the term, and have eve,
since been remarkable for their firm adherepc,
to Democratic principles. AS an evidence O
the unwavering condition ofthe Democracy O
the people of Meck.enburg county, it has oftel
been observed OF them, in a style ofhumour AM
pleasantly, that, at the last war, they took u
arms Elk months before the Government and di
not lay them down until twelve months aftel
In the mighty struggle for independence tn
relatives of MIR. Polk distinguished themselve:
To bs allied to such people, to be the descer
Gant OF such an ancestry is fit subject of hone
rabe pride. The American people ever hav
manifested an affectionate regard for the he
roes, sages and martyrs of the Revolution
They furnish proof that Republics are not ur
grateful.
The father OF Mr.. Polk was farmer of una:
sumng pretentions, but enterprsing character
In early life he was thrown upon his own resoul
ces, and became the architect ofhis own fortun,
He was warm supporter Of Jefferson, an
through lie firm and consistent Republican
In the autumn of 1906 he removed to Tenne
see, and settled on the fertile valley of the Due
river. then wilderness, but now the most flou
ishing and populous portion of the State.
this region MIR. Polk still resides; so that
may be said of him, that he has grow
with its growth and strengthened vii
it's strength. OF course in the infancy
the country the opportunities for instructic
could not be very great, still he acquired the c
ements OF good English education. The CO
sttution of MIR. Polk being feeble, his father d
teimined against the will of son, to make cor
mercial man of him, and with this view plac,
him with merchant. He remained, howeve
but few weeks in situation so adverse to !
Wishes and incompatible with his taste. In ]
ly, 1912, he was placed under the care Of {
Rev. DR.. Henderson, and subsequently at the
cademy of Murfeesborough, Tennessee, tn
under the charge of Mr.. Samuel p. Black, ju
ly celebrated as classical teacher In the q
tumn of 1915, he entered the University