The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1844-06-12
JAMES X. POLK.
Interesting Biographical Sketch.

!
ife and character of COL Polk, the Democratic
Iominee for President of the United States. 1t
Won't do for the federal wings to say that MIR.
POLK is a stranger. They knowhim full we'll
hey will know him much better before the Pres
dental Electon-and they will know him better
ltill, on the Fourth of March next, when, if he
is living, he will be inaugurated as President of
this glorious Republic!
JAMES X. POLK was born in Mecklenburg
county, North Carolina, on the second day of
November, l795, and is now in the 49th year of
his age. The original name of his ancestors was
Pollock they eriIgrated from Ireland more than
a century ago, and first settled themselves in
Maryland, where several branches of the family
still remain. That branch from which our can
dltate more Immediately sprung, removed first
70 the vicinity of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and
thence to the western frontier of North Carolina,
some time before the Revolutionary war. Thom-
as Polk, well known as one Of the signers if not
the prime mover, of the celebrated Mecklenburg
Declaration of Independence, was the grand I'M
Gle of our nominee. Indeed the whole family
were noted for their uncompromislng democratic
principles, and to this day are characterized for
that sturdiness of independence which led Col.
Thomas Polk with others to absolve themselves
under their signatures from all allegiance 10
Great Britain more than twelvemonth before
the Declaration of Congress in 177G. OF the
people of Mr.. Polk's native country, it has often
been said, as an evidence of their bold and ready
patriotism, that sat 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 infan-
cy nurtured in the atmosphere of such region,
can be nothing but Democrat-an unyielding,
uncompromising Democrat; and such man is
J AS. K. Polk.
Mr.. Folks father was an unassumng but en-
telprising farmer. He was the maker Of his own
fortune, ana warm supporter Of Mr. Jefferson.
In 1906, he became one of the first pioneers Of
what is now the most fourishing and populous
portion of Tennessee. In our wilderness settle
ments, the opportunities of education, of course
are very scanty. Notwithstanding this difficulty.
however, our candidate managed to acquire the
elements of an English education. And so ear
NEST were his desires for improvement, and so
ardent his appeals, that although on account Of
his feeble health, was placed for few weeks in
store, with the intent of making him a CONNER.
cial man, yet the resistance of his father was
overcome, and after due preparation at an acad-
envy, he entered in 1915 the University of North
Carolina, from which he graduated in 1918, car
rying off the highest distinction in his class, and
with the reputation of being the best scholar, both
in the classics and mathematics.
Early in 1919, Mr.. Polk commenced the study
! r Al l. I,4o
in 1920 was admitted TO the bar.
In 1923, then in his 28th year he was cho-
sen to represent his county in the Legislature Of
Tennessee. Here he remained for two success
sive years, and with pride he looks back to the
opportunity this position gave him TO aid with
others in calling ANDREW JACKSON from his re-
Itiremont, by elcctng him to the United States
SENATE. TO this venerable and vcnerated man
he entertained an early personal and politica
friendship-a friendship which to this moment
has never known 'shadow Of turning"
In 1925, then in his Both year, Mr.. Polk was
elected as member of Congress. Bringing
with him the soundcst principles of the Demo
cratic school, he soon became known as repub
Ilican of the ''straitcst sect" With only one o
two exceptions, he was the youngest member o!
the House of Representatives, and an opportuni.
ty was not long wanted to give evidence of hi
capacity as well as of his principles. The foul
corruption which gave issue to the election o
John @. Adams TO the Presidency by the House
through the fraudulent bargain with Clay, led tc
a proposition to amend the Constitution in sucE
manner as to give the choice of President ant
Vice President directly to the People. This i
what ought to be the case--the whole system o
voting through electors is wrong, and needs re
peal. In favor of this proposition, Mr.. Polk made
his first speech in Congress, which we are told
Sat once attracted the attention of the country
by the force of its reasoning, The copiousness o
research and the spirit of honest Indignation b,
which it was animated. twas at once seen, tha
his ambition was to distinguish himself by sub
stantal merit, rather than rhetorical display, "tht
rock upon which most young orators split"
At the same session, the notorious scheme o
old federalism known as the "Panama Mission,
was broached. Against this attempted subver
sion Of the rights and powers of the House, Mr.
Polk took bold stand, embodying his views in
series of resolutions, based upon the doctrines o
the Republican party of '9S.
In December, 1927, Mr.. Polk was placed OF
the important Committee of Foreign Affairs
He was also Chairman of the Select COMMITTEES
to which was referred that portion of Jackson
Message in reference to the probable accumula
ton of surplus in the Treasury after the antici
pating extinguishment of the public debt. Th,
report made by him from this committee is fl
led with the soundcst doctrines, ably and lucidI,
enforced.
The session of 1880, is noted for the dealt
blow given by Jackson to the unconstitutiona
system of Internal Improvements by the Genera
lGovernment Mr.. Polk stood out foremost il
this contest in sustaining the President; vindica
ting the man against the personal abuse heapet
upon him, and his veto by which the monster
was stranglod.
In 1882, Mr. Polk was member of the Com
mttoe Of Ways and Means. II was at this ses
sion he so distinguished himself in this Commit