Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-06-29
From the Washington Union.
MR. POLK.

Mr.. POLK.
We had reserved for ourselves the melancholy
duty Of preparing a succinct sketch of the life
Of the late ex-president, whose unexpected and
uutimely decease the nation now mourns but
we have been anticipated in part in the task which
we had appropriated to ourselves, by the follow
ing full and authentic sketch which we find in the
Pennsylvania. and which we take pleasure in
transferring to our columns. This admirable
sketch brings the life of Mr.. Polk down to the
commencement of his administration, in March, |
l845. We reserve to ourselves the melancholy |
Office of sketchins the evenIful and glorious mea-
sures of that administration, which but few days
ago we conscientiously pronounced to be the
most brilliant which has grsced our annals
We have had full opportunity of studying the
whole character of James X. Polk. We have
seen him nearly every day for four years, amid all
the cares of office-when laSoriously engaged 10
considering and cOncocting those great measures
which have excited the establishment and admra-
ton of the world-and we do not hesitate 10 pro-
mounce him of the ablest statesmen, if not the
ahlest, whom we have ever known, He bad all
the elements of great statesman. He had tha,
strong Common Sense which sppreaehes its high
object calmly and eompgshenSjvelv, regards ii in
sll It's lights and traces lis reaaest consequences
10 the germ ITSELF He toaS his coarse Ascending
to the democratic principles with which he had
long been deeply ima0ea, and kxed his eye upon
the good of his country alone, Il was his high
off, l. ~ >
Having made Up his decision nc had the frmness
to adhere to his measures, The ciano=s of the
opposition 10 OF out of Congress aud the lhunders
of the press, and even their pursuasions and re-
monssraneeS, could not shake him from his pur-
pose. No maa- governed him. On the contrary,
such was the clearness of his views, and such the
frmness of his character, as he went on steadily
in the path which he had marked out for himself,
that even his anxious and doubling friends were
frequently inspired with new energy, and confess
sed the superiority of his judgment Along with
these elements of real civic greatness, Mr. Polk.
combined another of the high and rarest qualities
of a staesman-that magnanimity of character
which forgets wrongs, and does justice even TO an
enemy. We have seen Mr.. Polk tried in various
situations but amid all the BOOKINGS of the bat
tlements-amid all the storms of party-amidst
the various questions which he had to meet, in
peace or in war, greater 10th in interest and varie
ty than has probably occurred to any other Pre-.
silent. he lost that ciearness of spirit and
eqoanimity of temper which The occasion required
It was thus that he communicated confidence &c
l. l. E. Al.
his enemies, and confirmed the propriety of hi,
course by the brilliancy of his success. We
have uniformly expressed these opinions of Mr.
Folks Abilities and OF the value of his administra
ton; and we see no occasion to withhold them
now that this distinguished man is no more, when
our motives cannot be assailed, nor
"Fattery soothe the dull, cold ear of death''
Would that his precious life could have been
spared longer to his country! Would that he
could have had more extended opportunity Of
enjoying the "reminiscences of the past, and the
gratitude of the people! And, above all, would
that the cherished partner of his bosom, who had
been bound to him for so many years-who had
shared all his fortunes and all his sympathies-
whose superior mind had enabled her to assist hi
own Judgment and to throw such tender AM
exquisite grace around the Office to which he hat
been elevated by the voice Of his country, couIt
have been spared the nexpressibe pain of This ear
ly, fated separation. But we must not murmu
against the dispensations of Providence; and re
ligon will descend, with healing on lis wings, t.
soothe the SORROWS of the friends whom he ha
left behind him.
The public voice is already expressing the sin
cere respect which is felt for his memory. Public
honors will be awarded TO the deceased patrin
President; and orators will not be wanting to d.
full justice to his merits, and among them thos
who were personally and best acquainted will
him-who intimately understood his whole char
acter, and the whole scope of his glorious admin
istrat;on.