The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-06-14
wooDsFIELD, OHIO, FRIDAY. JUNE IA, 1914

lie commenced his professional career In the coun-
ty of Maury, with great advantages, derived from
the connection of his family with its early settle
ment. To this hour his warmest friends are the
sharers Of his fathers early privatons and difficult
success was due to his personal qualities still
than to extrinsic advantages. A republican in
habits as well in principles, depending for the
maintenance Of his dignity the esteem of others,
and not upon his own assumption, his manners
conciiated the general good will. The confidence
of his friends was justified by the result His
thorough academical preparation, his accurate
knowledge of the law, his readiness and resources
in debate, his unwearied application to business,
secured him, at once, full employment, and in less
than year he was already leading practitioner.
Such prompt success in profession where the
early stages proverbally slow and discouraging,
falls to the lot of few. ~. ''''i f-- 'i.'h" "3'''
Mr.. Polk continued to devote some years excu-
sion, with progressive augmentation of reputa-
ton and the more solid rewards by which il is
accompanied. In 1928, he entered upon the stor-
my career Of politics, being chosen to represent
his county in the State legislature, by heavy
majority over the former incumbent, but not
without formidable opposition. He was, for two
successive years, a member of that body, where
his ability in debate, and talent for business, at
once gave him reputation. The early personal and
political friend of General jackson, he was one of
tboca phn il of IloJ ~,
distinguished man from his retirement, by electing
him to the Senate OF the United States; and he
looks back with pride to the part ne took in act
which was followed by such important consequent
ces. In August, 1925, being then in his thirtieth
year, Mr. Polk was chosen to represent his district
in Congress, and in the ensuing December took
his seat in that body where he has remained ever
since. He brought with him into the national
councils those fundamental principles to which he
has adhered through all the personal mutations of
party. From his early youth he was republican
of the "straitest sect" He has ever regarded the
constitution of the United States as an instrument
OF specific and limited powers, and that doctrine
is at the very foundation of the democratic creed
Of course he has always been what is termed
strict consructonist, repudiatng above all things
the latitudinarian interpretations of federalism.
which tend to the consolidation of all power in the
central government. He has signalized his hosti-
ity to these usurping doctrines in all their modes
He has always refused his assent to the appropria-
tion of money by the federal government, for what
he deems the unconstitutional purpose Of construct
ing works of internal Improvement within the
States. He took ground early against the consti-
tutionality as well as expedienoy of national
bank; and in August 1929, consequently severs,
months before the appearance of General Jackson's
first message, announced then his opinions in
published letter to his constituents. He has ever
been opposed to an oppressive tariff for protection,
aud was at all times, the strenuous advocate of
reduction of the revenue to the economical wants
of the government. Entertaining these opinions,
as we shall have occasion to illustrate, and enter
ing Congress as he did, at the first session after
the election Of the younger Adams. he promptly
took his stand against the broad and dangerous
doctrines developed in the first message of that
chief magistrate, and was during the continuance
of his administration, firmly, and resoluteIy, but
not factiously, opposed to its leading measures.
When Mr.. Polk entered Congress, he was, with
one or two exceptions, the junior member of that
body. But capacity like bis could long remain
unnoticed In consequence of the papable dsre-
gard of the public will, manifested in the election
by the House of Mr. Adams, together with the
means by which it was effected, proposition was
brought forward, and much discussed at the time,
to amend the constitution in such manner as to give
the choice Of President and Vice President imme-
diatey and irreversibly to the people In favor of
this proposition Mr. Polk made his first speech in
Congress, which at once attra ted the attention of
the country by the force of its reasoning, the cop-
business of its research, and the spirit OF honest
indignation by which il was animated. 1t was at
once seen that his ambition was to distinguish
himself by substantial merit, rather than rhetorical
display, the rock upon which most young orators
split AT the same session. that egregious meas
ure of political Quixotism, the Panama mission,
which was proposed in contempt Of the sound
maxim to cultivate friendship with all nations, yet
engage in entangling alliances with none, gave
rise to very protracted debate in both houses OF
Congress The exploded federal doctrine was
upon this occasion revived, that, as under the con-
stitution, the President and Senate exclusively are
endowed with the treaty making faculty, and that
of originating and appointing to missions, their
acts upon that power become the supreme law OF
the land, nor can the House of Representatives
deliberate upon, much less, in the exercise of
sound discretion, refuse the appropriations necessa
ry to carry them into effect. Against doctrine
so utterly subversive of the rights and powers Of
the popular branch Of Congress, as well as Of the
fundamental principles of the democracy, Mr.
Polk strenuodsy protested, embodying his views
in a series Of resolutions, which produced in
tangible shape, the doctrines on this question of
the republican party Of 'ss The first Of these
resolutions which presents the general principle
with brevity and force runs thus That il il the