The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1844-06-13

as prominent member. In 1897 h
was placed upon the important committe
on foreign affairs, and also made chair
man of special committee on the por
tion of the Presidents message in rela
ton to surplus revenue. In the latte
capacity he made most lucid report de
nying the power of the general govern
ment to collect money for distribution
In 1929, some months before the appear
dnce Of Jackson's first annual message, NJ
Polk in an admirable letter to his con
stituents, came ont boldly against both tn
eapedieney and constitutionoHty of the Ma
eional Bank. In 1880 the noble Mays
vile road veto burst upon the country;
measure that struck death blow to tn,
mammoth schemes for internal improve
ment, involving an expenditure of millions
ofpublic money, and to the unparallelc,
log-rolling corruption of the day, 1t wa
then that the union of the moneyed inter
est and ambitious politicians made thei
first onset upon the hero of New orleans
MIR Polk did not finch from the contest
but distinguished himself by most able
and triumphant defence of the exercise
of the veto power. In 1882 Mr. Polk was
appointed one of the committee of ways
and means, and drew up another mos
conclusive report exposing the corrup.
ton Of the bank. For this he found, or
his return to his district that the bank
power had arrayed itself against him
and was pouring upon him calumny
and misrepresentation. The bankites, OF
wings held meetings to denounce him
but after violent contest, Mr. Polk was
reelected by three thousand majority
In 1888, after the intrepid Jackson hat
removed the deposites, Mr. Polk, on ac-
count of his courage and splendid talents
as debater, was selected for the respon-
sible position Of chairman of the committed
of ways and means. 1t was time for a
man of nerve to show HIMSELF most glo-
riously did James X. Polk meet the en-
pectations of his friends. This was the
panic session--a session destined to be
ever memorable in congressional annals.
Then the bank was putting forth its whole
strength. Committees were then waiting
upon the president-petitions and memo
rails were pouring into congress-paid
advocates Of the corrupt institution were
proclaiming that these were revoutiona-
ry times in the streets of our citics-a
factious press was calling upon the peo-
pie to strike blows for liberty-calumny
and Misrepresentation were the order of
the day-a wing senate, as iactious as
the wing press, was proclaiming that a
revolution had begun. 1t was at such a
time that James X. Polk was selected as
the organ of the administration in the
house of representatives. His speeches
were most powerful, and his resources
ineXhaustible; even the wings in open
debate bore honorable testimony to the
great abilities of the chairman of the COM
mittee of ways and means. He then
shone forth as a moral hero, defending
the Liberties of his country against a cor
rupt and internal enemy, and as worthy
to wear uniading laurels as the military
hero who fights the battles of his coun-
try.
In 1885 Mr. Polk was elected speaker
OF the house of representatives.. He
proved one of the most able speakers
that ever presided over the deliberations
of this body. He presided most SUCCESS
fully through the siormiest sessions, dis
charging its responsible duties with une-
qualled dignity, promptitudc and Impair
TALLY. Members of the opposition have
borne testimony to the rare sagacity and
GOODNESS of Mr. Polk on trying emergen-
cies; for he is not merely an able speak
err, but eminently man of business, and
always sustained himself with surprising
success.
In accordance with the wishes of his
political friends Mr. Polk, in 1888, an
nounced himself candidate for the office
of governor of Tennessee, and accord
ingly took leave of congress in a feeling
and manly valedictory speech. The con-
test that ensued was most spirited one,
with tremendous odds against him. Mr.
Polk changed the political character of
the state, and was elected governor by
twenty-five hundred majority. His mes
sage in 1889 was noble onc-democrat-
Ic to the core. This year the legislature
of Tennessee presented his name as
candidate for vice president of the Uni
ted States; but Gov. Polk subsequently,
in a patriotic letter, declined allowing his
name to be used IN connection with this
office. The great 1910 hard cider cam
paign succeeded, when calumny and de-
ception carried the day. The whirlwind
did not pass by Tennessee. Gov Polk s
defeat in the next gubernatorial election
only served 10 raise him higher in the es-
imatlon Of the democracy; it was owing
20 causes for which his administration of
he affairs of his state was not responsible.
Since that time Gov. Polk has remained
m private life.
Such has been the consistent, straight
Onward career of james X. Polk. When
ever he has been called upon to act, he
has proved himself to be no ordinary man.
His profound acquaintance with the prin-
,iples of our constitution-hls readiness
o meet emergencies-his gallant bear
ng in political contestants pure private
iie-his sound political principles-all
pointed TO him as n candidate in ,vbom |