The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1845-04-30
PRESIDENT POLK.

The question which the wings used Ignorant
ly to ask during the canvass of IA, must we
suppose be varied TO suit the times. 1t is no
longer who is Polk, but who loas Polk
A very satisfactory answer to the latter ques-
ton has been pointed out 10 us by friend, in
for the l7th of March, 1888. 1t is as follows:
The speaker of the House is, considering the
high station he occupies, young man: his age
is between forty and forty-6ve. In his person
he is rather spare, and about five feet nine in
ches in height. His hair is dark, with light
sprnkling of grey about his temples. His coun-
tenance is very expressive, and, except when
something occurs TO disturb his e1uanimity, is
indicative of good nature, and very ofeAlght-
\ ed up by a smile. His eyes are bright and scar
ching, and an excitement within is more visible
through them, than through those of almost any
individual within my knowledge. AS debater,
on the floor of the House, he always acquitted
himself well; energy and quickness Of appre-
henson are his characteristics, and, as chairman
of the committee of Ways and Means, he had
ample opportunity to call all his talents into re-
Iquisition. Any subject which he undertakes 10
Investigate, he enters into with all his powers;
and it is never left until sfted TO the bottom. In
I debating, rhetorical figures are seldom resorted
to by him--poetry and flourish are left for those
. who wish TO tickle the magination-while he
contents himself with sound and convincing ar
gument, plainly, but forcibly put forth; and he
: never loses sight, for moment, of the point in
S issue.
: Since he has occupied the Speakers chair,
r his efforts have been untiring to perfect himself
in parliamentary law, and to administer it with
impartiality; and, while he presides over the de-
" lberations of The House, with all the dignity due
the situation Of presiding officer, over the repre-
d sentaives Of great and free people, there /;
k mingled with his manners plain, unostentatloui
:, bearing, which does honor to himself, and is il
keeping with the true principles of republican
II government. That pharisaical pride which ex
IS claims--"our eyrie budeth in the cedar's top
is belongs not to James X. Polk; he is a Demo
e crat Ill principle and in practice, and every maj
4, who has had any personal intercourse with him
will agree with the writer hereof in the opinion
o that honesty Of purpose, uprightness of princi
ir pie, and an exalted sense of moral responsible
ty, are the beacon-lights which guide his course
across the ocean of existence.
e He was elected Speaker, it is true, by party
e vote, and is, as the Speaker of the American
House of Representatives must always recessa
rily be, party man; and under the peculiar cir
r. cumstances of his election, the place, during th
4 first session which he filled it, was rendered Il
embarrassing as possible. Questions OF orde
III were multiplied upon him, and he was called up
on to give constructions TO the lea parliGmrnt0
Il rie upon every occasion where, by possibility,
d question could be started. He passed through
s. the trial, however, with honor to himself, an'
= with satisfaction to those who elected him; ant
f. his urbanity and gentlemanly bearing were such
as TO disarm even his opponents of their rancor
y Though, at times, Colonel Polk may appear
ii 10 his political opponents, to be governed by pal
10 ty feeling in the course he pursues in dschal
a. ging the duties of Speaker, do not believe an
- consideration would tempt him, Intentionally, (
y swerve one hairs breadth from what he honestl
re believed 10 be his duty be the consequence
- what they may, he will ever be found pursuin
III that which he thinks will result most hor
ia orably to his country