Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-01-13
THE PRESIDENT ELECT.

State, think our brethren throughout the
Union must admit that the Democrats have
fought the good fight. In 1910, the ma
jorily against as was 12.0O0; in 1s43 we
reduced it 20 5000; and in 1914 we have
brought it down TO lib. Does no, this
show both steadiness and infexibilty of
purpose on the part oil the Democracy
and are not The indications Of glorious
resurrection in our next summers contest,
bright, cheering, and palpably certain?
1t is now twenty-five years since first
became acquainted with James K. Polk.
He is a native Of North Carolina, though !
raised las we back woods men say) in Ten
nessee. He, however, finished his educa
ton al Chapel Hill, in the former State.
He sprang from good stock aud though
his parents dwell in the humble walks of
life, yet no family in Tennessee were more
respected. As regards worldly goods, al
though not in afiluent circumstances, they
had sufliciency 10 give to all their children
the best of educatons, and sufficient start
with which TO begin life
James X. Polk can boast of classical
education as highly finished as is taught at
the University Of North Carolna-and no
young man has ever left that respectable
establishment who has taken more pains to
build upon what was there given TO him.
He studied law in the town Of Nashville,
under The direction Of that distinguished
lawyer and statesman FELIX GRUMPY, with
whom he was always Il (avorite; and it may
be well asserted, that under his patronage
the seeds Of Democracy, which doubtless
were sown in him very early in life, were
TO take deep and vigorous root. Oh! that
his carly tutor had bul lived to see the dis
lngushed cminence to which his ravor,e
pupil has arrived. do not think that Mr..
Polk remained at the Bar more than seven
or eight years before he engaged in public
life. His success as lawyer was every
thing he could wish.
His first public employment was that Of
chief clerk 10 the Legislature Of Tennessee;
and, according to my best recollection, he
was twice returned as member of that
body, by the county Of Maury-the county
in which his father first settled in Tonnes
see, and the county in which the son has
ever since resided About this time he
married. He married the daughter of Joel
Childress, Il merchant Of Rutherford coun-
ty, Tennessee. Mr.. Childress was born
and raised in Campbell coanty, Virginia
and there are persons, perhaps, still living
| in Campbell, who will remember Mrs.
Folks grandfather, as he truly was a hard
| fighting soldier Of the Revolution. So. You
will perceive that that famous sod mother
Of States'-though not as Byron says, "thc
lone mother of dead empires''-has deep
interest in Mr.. Folks family. Her anna
| blliiy of character, intellectual accomplish
ments, and suavity Of manners, will secure
her the affection Of all who NAV cultivate
her acquaintance.
| think il was in the summer Of 1925,
that Mr. Polk first became member of the
Congress Of the United States-in which
body he was continued by TIE same const;-
tnency for fourteen years--at the end or
which time he voluntarily withdrew from
that body-became q candidate for the
office Of Governor Of Tennessee, and was
elected. 1t is known, too, that he was
twice elected Speaker Of the House; and
as his public services in the Councils of the
nation are too we'll known TO need recapi-
tulation from me, shall pass them over
without remark
With regard to Mr.. Folks private char.
acter, it is purity itself. Against that, no
one has ever uttered even a suspicion. /
cannot better develope the estimation in
which he is held al home, than to state the
| fact, that in the recent election in his own
county, near SO persons, who voted the
Wing ticket last year, came forward and
voted for him. His private affairs he ma
nages with prudence and economy-he
always eschewed speculation and debt
and, though moi wealthy, has still pro-
perty amply sufficient 10 sustain his family.
and to dispense to his numerous friends
abundant and generous hospitality He is
distinguished for his plain, agreeable and
atfable manners. During the recent can
yass, his enemies charged him with ,imidity
and want Of personal courage. 1t is true
Mr.. Polk is not brawler If he ever
came in personal contact with any one Of
his species, it has escaped my knowledge
But that fact fixes no stain upon his firm
ness; for believe may safely say, with
the exception CT the affair ol Mr.. Wise, |
have never heard Of a personal insult being
oilCicu hiui' l/oeS Uot tillS speak tnuCD IN
favor OF The character of one who, for 20
years, has been engaged in much Of the
| political strife of the day?
| The public career Of Mr.. Polk, according
TO my view of ii, gives strong evidences Of
his ffmness Of purpose, Of his unwavering
consistency, and his personal courage, too
Fourteen years in Congress, during period
Of wonderful changes, and vicissiiudcs, ard
mighty events; yet the doctrines with
which he started, the positions which he
! first TOOK, he maintained and occupied to
the very end! Look at many who started
with him in Congress -where are they?-
They have boxed every point Of the pol.ii-
cal compass! They canno, tell either their
latitude or their longitude whilst the same
star Of Democracy has continued to be his
polar star throughout the voyage Whilst
he was Speaker, did the rancor of the op-
position dive him from his proprie,yl DID
the political friends of Judge White sue
coed in driving him, against his will, into
the ranks Of tina. partya The very Office
he now holds shows that they did not
I Lxy II. al Il al =