The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1844-06-06
From :he Baltimore Republican G. Argus,
JAMESK. POLK,

to be found in his whole character, as man. polii-
clan, and Statesman. An account of the history of
this distinguished patriot will doubtless at this time,
prove highly acceptable to our readers and We there
FORE proceed to the task of giving such sketch, as our
time and limits will permit.
JAMES X. POLK was born in Mecklenberg coun-
ty, North Carolina; on the second day Of November,
1885, ahd now in the 49th year fhs age. The orr
gina name ofhs ancestors was Pollock;they cmigra-
ted from Ireland more than century ago, and first set
tied 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 of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and thence to the
western frontier of North Carolina, some time before the
Revolutionary war. Thomas Polk, well known as one
OF the sgners not the prime mover of the celebrated
Mecklenberg Declaration Of Independence, was the
Grand uncle of our nominee Indeed the whole family
were noted for their uncomprisng democratic principles
and to this day characterized for that sturdness Of
independence witch led Col. Thomas Polk with others
to absove themselves under their signatures from all
allegiance 10 Great Britain more than twelvemonth
before the Declaration Of Congress in l76. OF the peo
pie of Mr.. Polks native county, it has often been said
as an evidence of their bold and ready patriotism that
at the last war they took up arms six months BEFORE
and did not lay them down till twelve months after the
government" A man born from such ancestors with
his infancy nurured in the atmosphere of such re-
gion, can. be nothing but Democrat-an unyielding
uncomprising Democrat and such man is JAS. X.
Polk.
fnth uyo c n n a
ing farmer He was the maker of his own fortunes, and
warm supporter of Mr. Jefferson. In 1906 he became
of the first pioneers Of what is now the most flour
ishing and popuous portions Of Tennessee, In our viii
deness settlements, the opportunities OF education, Of
course, are very scanty. Notwithstanding this difficult
ty, however, our candidate managed to acquire the ele
ments of an English education And so earnest were
his desires for improvement and so arden; his appeals
that although on account 0. his feeble health was pla-
ced for few weeks in store, with the intent OF max
ing him commercial man. yet the resistance of his
father overcome, and after due preparation at an
academy he entered,n 1915 the University of North
Carolina, from which he graduated in l8l6 carrying
off the highest distinction in his class and with the rep
utaon Of being the best scholar both in the classics and
mathematics.
Early in 1919, Mr.. Polk commenced the study Of
Law with the late Senator Grundy, and late in 1920
was admitted 10 the bar
In 1923 then in his 28th year. he was chosen to rep
resent his county in the Legislature of Tennessee
Here he remained for two successive years, and with
pride he looks back to the opportunity this position gave
him 10 aid with others in calling Andrew Jackson from
his retirement by eecng him to the United States Sc
nate To this venerable and venerated man. he enter
tained an early personal and political friendships
friendship, which to this moment, has never known a
shadow ofturning"
In 1926, then in his 3Oth year, Mr. Polk was elected
as member of Congress. Bringing with him the soun-
des: principles of the Democratic school, he soon be-
came republican of the 'straitest sect" With on
y one two exceptions he was the youngest member
of the House Of Representatives, and an opportunity
was not long wanted TO give evidence OF his capacity
well as of his principles The foul corruption which
gave issue to the election of John @. Adams to the Pre-
sdency by the House. through the fraudulent bargain
with Clay led to aproposition to amend the Constitu
on in such manner to give the choice of President
and Vice President directly to the People, This is wha
ought TO be the case-the whole system of voting thro
electors is wrong, and reeds repeal In favor of this
proposition MIR. Polk made his first speech in Con
gess which we are told at once attracted the attention
OF the country by the force of its reasoning the copious
ness OF its research and the spirit of honest indignation
by which it was animated 1t was at once seen tha
his ambition was to distinguish himself by subsanlia
merit rather than rhetorical display 'the rock upor
which most young orators split"
At the same session. the notorious scheme Of old fed
eralism, known as the Panama Mission" was broach
ed Against this attempted subverson Of the rights anc
powers ofthe House, Mr.. Polk took bold stand. EN-
bodyng his views in series of resolutions based upol
the doctrines of the Republican party of '9s.
In December, 1927 Mr.. Polk was placed on the i'm
portant COMMITTEE of Foreign Affairs He was ais
Chairman ofthe Select Committee to which was refer
red that portion of Jacksons Message in reference l.
the probable accumulation Of surplus in the Treasur
aNer the anticipated extingushment of the public deb
The report made by him from this committee is file
with the soundest doctiEes very ably and lucidy en-
| forced.
The session Of $780, is noted for the death blow give
by Jackson to the unconstitutional system of lntema
Improvements by the General Government. Mr.. Pol
stood out foremost this contest in sustaining the Pre-
sident vndcating the man against the personal abus
heaped upon him, and his veto by which the monste
was strangled.
In 1889, Mr.. Polk was member of the Commute
Of Ways and Means. 1t was at this session he so di
tinguished himself in this Committee, IN the contest vii
the United States Bank His minority report broug
aginst him the whole power Of the Bank. How noby
sustained himself against the prolgate msrepresent