Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-06-26
EX-PRESIDENT POLK.

Our exchanges, from all parts of the coun
try, come 10 US with columns darkened by sable
lines expressive of the deep gloom that enve
lopes the spirits of his countrymen, as news o.
the death OF ex-Presdent Polk spreads with tn.
lightnings flash over the nation We could FL
our entire paper this morning with evidences O
the profound sensation which has been produ
ced in the public mind, and expressions of re-
greet from all parties, showing The estimation il
which the deceased ex President was held, on
account OF bis unblemshst character, even BY
those who were most strongly opposed 10 the
measures Of his Administration. We have
room, however Tor only few of these we'll.
timed, well. Inherited, patriotic illusions
The Baltimore American 70 warm Wing pa
per) expresses itself as follows:
death OF EX-PRESIDENT POLK
The announcement of this event comes with
sudden and painful surprise. The youngest OF
all who have occupied The Presidential Chair
since the beginning of the Government, it was
natural TO expect for Mr.. Polk prolongation of
life for years TO come. But he has gone, and
at short warning II was but recently that we
read in Nashville paper an account Of his
improved health-the tranquility Of his retire.
ment having apparently served 10 restore sys.
ten enfeebled BY the labors of public life.
mo man who has ever risen 10 the elevated
post of the Presidency of this Republic can be
regarded afterwards as an ordinary man; and
whatever diversiies Of political opinions may
exist among free people, the mantle of the
Chief Magistracy, once worn by the chosen of
the people, must ensure him always the respect
full consideration of his fellow citizens while
living, and impart associations Of regard to his
memory when he has departed
1.-THE events Of Mr.. Poks Administration
mark an important period in our history. This
is not the occasion to speak OF them in detail,
nor has the time yet como when they can be
spoken Of with entire impartiality. OF his own
characteristics as public man there will also
be differences oil opinion, according as they are
judged Of by friends or BY political opponents.
For ourselves, We can only bear in mind at pre-
sent that he was human, aud is dead"
In the Philadelphia Ledger we 6ud the fol-
lowing sketch of MIR. Folks political career !:
st is written, (sa,s the Ledger by one who
was opposed to him in politics, but the liberal
and impartial mind of the writer enables him
to do justice to a distinguished citizen, who,
whatever may DO said of the motives aud OBJ
jecis of his public course, posterity must do
him the justice TO say that no President ever
filled the highest Office Of the nation with more
success, better maintained the
dignity and honor of the country, or raised it
to higher point of power and pros
perity.
"Andrew Jackson stated, 10 l644, that he
bad known James X. Polk from his boy hood and
that "a citizen more exemplary in bis moral
department, more punctual and exact in busi-
ness. more energetic and manly in the express.
not live" Mr. Polk had no children. His wife
survives him. She is daughter Of Joel Chill
ders Of Tennessee. Mr. Polk was member Of
the Presbyterian Church.
fFor the Philadelphia Ledger.l
THE LATE JAMES X POLK.
The private lille of the late President was
above reproach. His public career was, for his
years, long and even,ful one. Not TO refer 10
his Craftsmanship aud the results Of his admin
i.ra,icn--oi which contemporary iudgmen, may
not, perhaps, be freely expressed witacus scuir
degree OF party bias-we are quite sure nc was
one OF the most remarkable politicians o! his
day. Remarkable for extraordinary industry,
un,iring perseverance and thorough knowledge
OF The masses. These qualities conioined with
an impressive, not TO say captivating oratory,
and the most perfect familiarity with The history
of parties and OF legislation from the formation
OF he government; rendered him al once power
tul advocate on the huslin9s ana formidable
leader in The halls OF Congress.
Our earliest recolections Of Mr.. Polk Ale con.
necled with his Congressional canvas>es in Ten
nessee. In his own district he was ever omnipo-
Isu under every phase oil party, under every
combination of The counties constituting The dis
lricl and against every species OF opposition,
personal or political He could, AMI did oulspeak.
outUrie, and 0utride every opponent lha, had
The ,emerily 10 take the field against him. he
was instant in season and Out OF season. WIN
social qualities by no meals oblrusive. with the
habits OF The student rather than the companion,
he seemed 10 take hold OF The prelndices, partial
ities and even the affections OF his constituents
and aided by his address on the stump, 10 sway
them al will. He encountered various personal
opposition al time when there Was little or no
division OF polilca! sentiment in the Stale or dis
trict. This he met with admirable lacl and uni.
form success, according to the temper OF his op-
ponen, The violent he toied by imperturoable
GOODNESS and selt-possession. The moderate he
"silIed with kindness" and counter. moderation.
His ready command Of facts made him terror
10 The iyro 10 politics, while the veteran lawyer
or Judge who ventured 10 leave his books or the
bench Tor The fields OF party strife, were made TO
feel tina, he was omnipotent before The Jury oil
The people"
Alter the division of tbe old Jackson party in
Tennessee, in 1885, MIR. Folks position became
changed, and al the same time somewhat embar-
RAISING. He maintained himself in his own dis
tricr but The State was lost TO his party 10 1889
he let Congress, avowedly 10 revolutionze The
politics O; Tennessee, by thorough stump can.
vass for Governor. In this he was successful.
Single handed he encountered majority OF ~,
600 and turned it into minority OF 2 500-and u
is due 10 the State administration which succeed.
ed, TO remark that il was essentially moderate and
conservative Mr.. Polk made good Governor
strict in his du,ies and remarkably for his in
dustry.
The Two Stale canvasses which followed in
lS4l aud l843 we're distinguished by grea, abi-
~ on both sides, particularly the las and il is no
dscredit to the popular talents we have already
awarded 10 Mr.. Polk, that he was defeated IN
each. He found in yonns Governor jones "a
loeman worthy Of his slee." The intellectual
Conflicts in which they met, were perhaps The II
nest, IT, point OF ability, The most equal 10 thelf
results, ever witnessed in this country. MT Jones
was young man, fresh from the people, an I'M
pretending farmer, with no extraordinary adYan.
tases of education bu. with quick sasacily, an
iGuitive knowledge OF men, and lund OF hu-
NOR that rendered him every way match Tor
the veteran csmpaigner. Mr.. Polk had lhe ad-
vantage in information Mr.. Jones in CELEBRITY OF
argument. They made each more han hun
dred speeches, replete with political statistics,
in ls43, in the Spring and Summer months
They spoke together 10 mixed assemblies, gene
tally in the open air Their lame brought out
voleis by thousands, and ladies BY hundreds 70
witness their ,ornays, even in The most sparsely
populated mountain counties. The results were
various, victory perching on the lance OF one
to-day, and Of The olhcr tomorrow. Their
short replies and reoinders not unirequenly rose
TO The highest flights of rhetoric, or were made
radiant by The finest flashes OF vii and satire. :
Each had the confidence OF his party both the
respect OF The people. Mr.. Polk was defeated
though only 10 be elevated to loilisr station The
following year. After an evenhul term a
Washington he retired 10 Nashville, where hi: