Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-12-29
From the Petersburg Rcpnblicn

Under this head, the editor OF the WASH
ington Union, in his Wednesdays paper, pub
fishes the following just and eloquent tribute
10 the ability of the present Chief Magistrate
of the Union. We entirely agree win lne
opinions which have been so Oeauuiu''y anu
forcibIy presented by the veteran anu @''oA'
,1;shod editor. and we venture the assertion |
that they fully represent the feelings and
views OF every democrat IN the land who has
had the pleasure of peruslng this the last and
the greatest production Of our democratic Pre-
sideDt All of his annual communications to
Congress have been marked with unusual
abiIity-they have borne the most honorable
and gratifying testimony alike TO his high tai
ents and his devoted patriotIsm-his wisdom
as i statesman, and his f:mness and fidelity as
the Chief Executive officer Of free and great
Republic. But this last production of his pen
is greater than any of its predecessors-the
nobest of them all "a sort Of mirror which,
while it exhibits the greatness and the glory
of his country, the splendid achievements of
her arms and the almost exhaustless magnfl
Cence of her resources, at the same time ne.
cessarlly reflects the consummate skill and
ability which so successfully directed the in
tricate machinery of Government and produced
such happy and splendid results. The admin
iStration of James K. Polk, ilIustrious as it
has been for its energy, its patriotism, lis sa-
gacity and lis brilliancy, deserved close just
such as this unsurpassed state paper will give
to ia manly and complete justification Of
those great principles OF democracy which
have been his faithful guides, noble and in
valuable legacy for his successors, and splen-
did eXempIilication of the high enlowmenls Of
his own head and heart
His marked ability is placed, by his own
administration, beyond the possibility of Sc
rious doubt, and they, and they only, may
question his integrity and his patriotism, who
shall successfully point TO the living states
man who has been more intrepid in the dis
charge of his duties, Or more constant in his
devotion 10 all the interests Of our great and
beloved Republic. Truly, in the appropriate
language of Mr.. Richie, may Mr.. Polk cap
peal to the sober verdict of the American peo-
ple.' That ''verdict," if just to them must be
gratifying TO him nor are we yet prepared 10
say that, in the fulness of time, {" that same
free people, Will not call him again from his
hOnored retirement to reume that national
glory which has been so splenlidly illustrated
by his Presidential career.
But, 10 the extract from the Union
IF the wings, with State paper in THEN
hands from the Presidents pen which puts
their arguments to silence and to shame, ant
leaves to them only the weapon of abuse anC
vtuperation 10 WELD against, because it pa
ces upon the impregnable ground of consiitu
tionaI right and high public expedcncy the
great principles and truths Of the democratic
policy-if under such circumstances the wing:
choose to make an issue as to the President's
ability, we certainly shall not argue that is
sue with them. Let that matter all speak fol
itself. The President is on record, and the
record will stand. There is the history of his
administration There is the array of the Diff
ticulties which it has surmouned. There are
It's mighty achievements, and their grand re-
suits. And there, too, are the successive
State papers of the President, in which a!
these things and the policy from which they
sprang, and the grounds of that policy, are
set forth to the people. If these things bea
witness to the Presidents abilty-if they ties
thy to his forecast, energy, wisdom, states
manship-then is this paltry wing detractior
not only lmpotent, but ridiculous, undeserving
alike OF refntation and of notice But where
did the wings find out Mr. Folks want Of
ability? Was it when he took the ead-ves
10 nd limit oil InoII -, fl,o I
tlves-llrst as chairman of the most import
ant committee, and then as Speaker, for ses
sion after session, during the stormiest time
of General Jackson's administration Wa
Mr. Folks position then second in any res
pect TO that OF any man in that House? Dit
not the very brunt of high and arduous publ
duty fall upon him; and was it not in tn
sight of all men most ably and manfulIy borne
Did the wings find Mr. Polk wanting in abil
Ity, when, after he left Congress, seeing tn
State OF Tennessee in wing hands, he wen
through 1t as a candidate, opposed by tn
aoieSt wing champion, and, meeting the PEG
pie lace TO lace, IN a single canvass wrested
ny the main force of argument and elOQuenc
from wing sway' At these periods, if we re
member, 1t was not even the wing fashion t
deny Mr.. Folks ability. In order TO do this
they have waited till he has produced a mes
sage which is too conclusive 10 be answered
too formidable TO federalism to be neglected
and which, therefore, TO the end that its eAec
upon the popular conviction may be partI,
averted, must be cried down and disparage
by reckless and vulgar abuse of the inteiec
tual power which produced it. They drea
what they defame. If Mr. Polk had write
weak paper for his last message-if he ha
made the ayowal of his principles less manfu
or me Vlndlcatlon OF them less triumphant
the wings would have spared him all the com
pllment OF their vituperaton What is nov
Mr.. Folks lot in this matter, was the lot G
Mr. Jefferson before him. His npn TOO ,1o
cried down by the federalism which il over
threw, as the pen of reckless and rantin
demagogue Mr.. Jefferson has found his con-
pensation and Offset for the SANDER, IN the a,
mlratIon and reverence of the American pee
pie. 10 the sober verdict of the same fir,
people, MIR. Polk may we'll appeal-appeal
The calm confidence inspired, not less by Il
character and the results of his administrator
than by theavictorous ability with which,
TINS his closing annual communication 10 Co
gress, ne has laid before them an irrresistib
Vindlcaton OF the old time honored principl
of the Jettersonian pa.iorm."
0TD DIT Coon o,..