Arkansas intelligencer., 1844-12-07
WHO is JAMES X. POLK

There will be no need Of this query when pres.
ent evcnts shall have become history. The name
of Polk will then be found chroniced with those
of Washington, Jefferson, jackson md Van Buren,
all men Of tried. true, and firm democracv--
j. o. lovers of that government which protests the
greatest number.
Who is James X. Polk ? He is the stern oppo-
nent of the Bank in 1881 when such men as Nc
Duffe, Adams, and Birney were its advocates. -
tie IS the man who as speaker Of the House, guild
ed It's deliberations, during the sormiest Session of
our American Congress, proving by his conduc,
that he was able well to control the strongest and
widest ebullihon of passion. and to follow un-
swervlngly the dictates of sound and cool iudp.
mcnt, amid tho turmoil and tumut Of fiery de-
bates. He is the man who presided as chairman
over the committee of Ways and Means at all
times an arduous and responsible position, bu,
douby so at that session, which forms an epoch
in the political annals of our country. Few pub.
lie men have pursued frmer course than Mr..
Polk. Upon several emergencies. he has sternly
adheredt to conviction Of duty, though threatened
by the tide Of opinion, preferrng to sink ,ciih his
principles, rather than rise by their abandonment
Can AIR. Clay say as much {! Alas, no His
sPien talent and commanding eoquence have
been prostituted-he has left The early path he
trod so truthfully, and forsaken its lowery wa VS..
lost the laurels that upon it he would have gathered
and he has bitterly reapod his reward. To the
grave ust he CO. with the unalterable truth stamp.
ed on the page History, that three times have our
people condemned his early apostacy, and the high.
handed, exclusive, an,-repubcan, and mona rch.
cal measures ho has so long and zealously advo
Gated. But again, who is James X. Polk I? LIE,
US hear What Mr.. O'Sulivin said of him in in 1898
when there was then existing no motive to give
him other than his just dues. ''IIe IS "frs rato''
man--Grst rate in ability first rate in dignity OF
character and conduct-irst rate in purity oil
constitutional principles, according to the funda
mental doctrines of the Republican party. Tho
MIR. Folks talents as orator may not in some
mems estimation quail those of Clay's yet he
lar transcends him in those qualities we love more
than the glitter Of greatness viz: Truth, Firmness
Honesty, and Consistency-men possessing these
traits tho men Democracy chooses for its lead
ers. But lastly, who is James X. Folk He is
the President of these United States, elected by
The voice of large majority of our Anne rcan
people-elected by the omnipotent free will Of
freemen, in opposition to all the coonery, Clay
clubism, chicanery, bribery aud money of the
wing party. lie IS the man who has signally tri-
umphed, as the representative of republican prin-
! siples, freedom for mankind as the representa-
ave'.s bose who offer home and hand to the
Y oppressed os'al cmes. over Henry Clay, the rep.
Ev.,..s;n, ~ OF Monopoly, Restriction,
!, ...,. y, '.. >><epr>seniative Of those
.ned fo,e;oner f,on, ~ ,.sSae->aQd :. burd.
:oor,o, ..,to. or ~ s'ea' olessn g vasss
" '"s Declarasaon OF lndepenSs
eos9' - - tights Of al
y torated Federalism in its worst fos1sj2t T,ssSa