New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-07-20
The Polks inrhe Revolution.

! ballot.
The Folks in the Revolution.
The Meckienburg JeGerSOnian attempts to
contradict the statement that Ezekiel Polk, grand
father of James h. Polk, was Tory in the Rev.
olu,ion. Let US sec what fist it makes OF il:
I'VE So that Ezekiel Polk wns not a Tory during the Rev
dictionary War lac did fight far Independence: that he
did the DecI,!non Of ndependenee made n Charlotte on
Gssc o as "ar friends can grcre Terrsc he
Cornwall wa. Meeklenburg Ezekiel Polk Pennsyl-
vunu and therefore did not take protection under the crown
Here is a parade of positively contradictlng
what nobody asserts, and under cover of this to
slip by the vital point Nobody doubts that Eze-
kiel Polk profcssed TO be Wing at the outset Of
the Revolution, and was active on that side, if you
please but it is charged by the Wing papers OF
North Carolina that he apostatized when the
British had defeated the Wings in several battles,
and became partisan and spy in the service of
the enemy. Now the Jef1ersonian says it can get
as rood cridence that this i1ds not 50 as the
Whigs can bring on the other side Indeed
Why, sir, your own story condemns you. You
say "at the time Corvallis ,ods in Mecklen-
burg Ezekiel Polk 1cas in Pennsylvania" Very
likely But why not tell us Aow Polk came to
ieare North Carolina about that time, and wheth-
or he did not start off rather abruptly, and in the
shudiest hours of night Omr old Carolinians-
Wings then and Wings now-say that he went
off because he could not conveniently stay for the
MeckIenburg Wings had detected him in treason
able correspondence with the enemy, and come
within an inch Of hanging him of,hand by his
own door. stone Now let US hear the "as good
evidence on the other side' Of this statement,
which will explain the considerations Of health,
or convenience, or comfort, that sent old Polk
out OF Carolina in such hurry. We have no
doubt that it was & perfectly judcious and salu-
tary step on his part-but let us have the Loce-
Foco reasons for it.
Let US state, once again, that we do not OPP
pose James Il. Polk for what his grandfather was
far from it. But if his supporters will keep abu
sing the Wings as British Tories or descendants
of Tories We shall compel them to face the music.
The Power of Removal from Office.
To The Editor ot The Tribune:
Knowing that you have often thrown important
light upon Constitutional questions, am induced TO
ask your opinion 10 which this community
are deeply interested al this moment. | aludc TO
the gross usurpaton Of power on the part OF the
Executive, in removing tried and faithful men from
office, only 10 fill their places with plant tools for
selfish and party purposes. The Constitution pro-
vides for the remorai OF Government officers only in
cases OF treason and other high misdemeanors and
empowers the Executive 10 fill only such vacan
cies may happen during the recess OF Congress.
How is il possible 10 put such construction upon
lis language as 10 empower tho President 10 make
nj his option, and Sill them al his pleasure
l. il not obvious, that lis true meaning is only 10
clothe him with authority 10 meet such ext gencies
the acts oil Providence, delinquencles, nc. may
present lfprecedents are urged as authority, pre-
cedents may be found for almost any outrage upon
the Constitution and laws in the last fifteen years oil
iniSrule and tyranny. Is il not time that check
should be placed upon this abuse OF power, by car
rying the question 10 the proper tribunal should
not the present incumbenls in this CITY, who ure
threatened with removal, be advised and encouraged
10 contest the constitutional right OF The Executive
TO dispose of them in this summary manner1 Your
views these questions will interest many this
time and mucn obise the INQUIRER.
.Ntic fOrk jHRf -, ie+i.
IL We have no doubt that the removal OF
capable, faithful officers, whose terms have not
expired, for the sake putting the partsans Of the
Executive in their places, is gross outrage on
the spirit of the Constitution, and utterly INSANE
toned by It's letter. But we have no faith in the
practicability of any correction by appeal to our
Judicial tribunals. How is a suitor to prore to
such tribunal that he was removed for psrty'S
sake, and not for valid cause? Shall he summon
the President into Court and compel him to dis
close on oath the considerations which impelled
him We think not
The worst OF this usurpaton is that, having
become an established wrong, it will require much
forbearance and sef.denial to put i. right. Sup
pose President, on being inaugurated, finds
nearly al! the Offices filled with party hacks, thus
uaworlhily thrust into office for four years to
come-Shall he allow them to enjoy the iniquity
aud TO flourish TO the end Ii he rebukes i, by
turning out these adventures, does he not seem
to initiate the original usurpauon We do not
clearly sec what should be done in the premises.