Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1844-06-12

ans 10 The presidency: by the House, le
TO a proposition TO amend The Consiltntio
| in such manner as TO give llie choice Q
Presidentan Vice Presidenl directly 7
the,people. This is wha, ought 10 be In
case-the whole system of voting througl
electors is wrong, and needs repeal. il
favor of this proposition, MIR. sPolk .mad'
his FIRST speech in Congress, which we arr
told sat once attracted the attention Of tht
country. by.b force 5of its reasoning, The
copiousness ofits research, and the splrl
! ofhonest indignaiionlby which twas AMI.
mated. Itlwas at.zonce seen that his am
bition was to distinguish himself ny sub
,tantial merit, rather than rhetorical dis
play, Hlheirock upon which most young
orators split. - -. $.
Atthe same session, The notorious scheme
Of old federalism known as the "Panama
mission, ,r:was broached: Against thlsa
tempted subversiun Of the rights and pow
ers OF the House Mr.. Polk took a bold
;,and, embodying bis views in series ol
fesolutious basednpon the doctrines OF The
:epublican party Of '9S.
In December, 1927, Mr.. Polk was Pla,
ced on ihe important committee oi foreign
alfairsa lie wa9 also chairman of, the se-
eet. cornmittee to which was referred that
portion Of Jackson's message in reference
10 the probable accumulation OF, a sur
plus ii the treasury. after the anticipated
ex,inguishment oflhe public debt. The
report made by him from this committee
is filed with The soundest doctrines, ably
and lucibIy enforced. ii.
The session of 1880, is noted for the.
death blow given by Jackson TO The uncon-
s,ilutionai. system Of internal improve
menls by the general government. Mr..
Polk stood oul foremost in;:he contest in
sustaining The President; yiudica1ing The
man against the personal abuse heaPed
upon him, and his veto by which the mon.
sler was slrangled. -.
In 1882, Mr.. Polk was member OF Inc
Committee of Ways and Means. 1t was
al this session he so distinguished bimseli
in,his committee. in the contest with lhe
u. S. Bank. His minority report brought
againe, him the whole power ofthe bank.
How nohly he sustained himself against
The profligale misrepresentation and nu-
scrupuIous efforts ofltat power can never
be forgotten by The country. HIS enc.
mics sill benr in mind his unyieldins ell
forts and tirelcss energy his friends are
now 10 reward him for his unshakon pat.
riolism and Kor decision, which in the
whole nf that fearful contest, never gave
way a hairs breadth, nor shrunk from the
deadliesi blows aimed as they were, by
arms mighty in power. and nerved with
hemerciless energy OF hellish despera-
on. -; -,
In 1888, The corruption and open def
ance of the United States Bank deter
mined the President to the removal ofthe
public :deposiles from lis vaalts. A man oil
boldness 10 suggest, and courage TO ac',
was needed as chairman Of the Ways and
Means. James Il. Polk was such man.
The shock was 10 be formidable one.
The contest was.to be hercer'han ever.
Bu, he proved himself equal 10 all that the
crisis demanded. This short sketch can
not do Justice TO the man who stood fore
most in this fearful conflict. Who does
not remember the session of 1888 Who
has forgotten the hopes and fesrs-the de.
nuncialion of opponen,s-,he detection oil
friends The: waveriue Of the tlmId-and
the stern defiance Of the sound hearted wh1
stood BY the .old man Of iron uilt." Who
can forget lha, contest ? Who was The
man ,Ia, Then led ou our ranks in the
House Of Representatives, until, in lhe ,rl
umphant victory, the band yielded in des-
pair, and the ighteous cause OF the people
was again in the ascendant? That man
was James X. Polk. And now, when the
whole country turns with sickening disgust
from the carcass of the mouster, reek'ng
with corru ption, and cursed with The tears
and sufFerings of the widow and orphan,
who will hesitate to do honor 10 him who
in the conflict stood out so maufully, and
did battle in the very foremost rank, until
The victory was. won, and the eneny lay
expiring a, his feet? ~ -. a..
in. December, 1886, Mr.. Polk was cleo
ed Speaker of The House. and he was cbo-
sea again to the same high station in 81.
In the performance ofhis arduous duties,
he was noted for his dignity, Promptitude
and inpartialiry. "Ilis calmnessand good
temper allayed the violence OF; opposition.
in station for which his quicsness, cool
ness and sagaci,y eminen,ly qualified him
He is said never TO have missed division,
his name being found upon every list OF
yeas and aays.; His manner as Speaker
was distinguished by great courtesy, never
having been known to indulge in offensive
personality. In one word, his popularity
is owing TO the 6rmness and consistency ol
his course, his conscientious performance
of his duties as representative, his un,
wsvering patriotism, his genlemanly hear.
;ns ano his unspoued private character
Cain ri saeac,Sas, active, decided and en-
dowed With great, political capabilities
few men have been selecteed upon which
the party without dissenting voice could
be better united at the ballot box. ::
Since MIR. Polk left Congress, his historrS