The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-06-19
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
] MES KNOX POLK,
Late President Of the United States.

~~~O
James Knox Polk says the staesmans Manual was the
eleventh President Of the United States the oldest
OF ter children and born the second Of Novem
Der, 1875, In Mecklenburg county. North Carolina HIS
transition, assumed it's present form emigraed in the
early part of the eighteenth century from ireland.
was born and married in ireland; his wife, Magdaen
! Tusker, was the heiress of Mowning Hill They had
tor Of James Knox Polk thu fifth son; he married
a Miss Outlet and removed to America Ezekiel Polk,
the grandfather Of James X. Polk Of his
The Polk family settled in Somerset county, on the
eastern shore Of Maryland where some of their de-
scendants still sojourn Being the only democrats Of
note in that county they wore called the democratic ia
mily The branch Of the family from which the Presi
dent is descended removed TO the neigh borhood Of
Carlisle, in Pennsylvania and thence to the western
frontier Of North Carolina sometime before the
mepcement of the revolutionary Some of the
Polk family honoraby distinguished in that event
full struggle On the 10th Of May 1775 con
more than twelve mont his anterior to the declaration
Of of the 4th of uly 77o the
inhabitants Of Meeklcnburg county publicly absolved
thu selves from their allegiance to the British crown,
and Issued a formal manifesto Of Independence, in
teims Of manly eloQuence, similar To some Of the
presSions in the declaration Of the American Con-
gress, adopted more than year afterward Colonel
Thomas Polk, the prime mover in this act Of noble
daring and Of the sgners of this first declaration
OF Independence the great uncle of the PRESIDENT
and the family is also connected with the AeXanders,
ct Altman and secretary Of the meeting which adopted
the declaration, well as with Dr. Ephraim Brevard,
the antbor OF the declaration itself
The father of James X. Polk farmer Of
Stunning pretensioDs, but enterprising character
Thrown upon his own resources in early fe he became
TIT architect OF his own fortunes. He was
supporter Of MIR Jefferson, and through life firm aud
undertaking democrat. In the autumn of 1906 he re-
moved with his family Of ten children from the home
stead in North Carolina to Tennessee, whe re he
Of the pioneers of the fertile valley of Duck river
Q branch of the Cumberland. then a Wilderness but
now themost fourishing and populous portion Of the
State In this region the subject of this sketch resided
until his election to the presidency that he may be
said, lii orally, to have grown with Its growth, and
strengthened with Its strength. or course in the in
fancy it's settlement the opportunities for nstruc
tion could not be great Notwithstanding this disad
vantage and the still formidable OF painful
affection from which after years OF suffering, he
finally relieved by . surgical operation acquired
the elements of good English education Appre-
hendng that his constitution had been too much im-
paired to permit the confinement of study his father
determined much however, against the will of the son,
to make him commercial man. and, with this view,
He remained a few weeks in a situation adverse to
his Wishes and incompatible with his taste Finally,
his earnest appeals succeeded in overcoming the
sistance of his father and July lsl3 he placed
first under the of the Rev. Doctor Henderson,
and subsequently at the academy Of Murreesborough,
Tennessee then under the direction Of Mr.. Samuel r.
Black justly celebrated in that region as classical
Of o one srans no in bsn TWO
years and half thoroughly prepared himself to COM
his collegiate course being then in the twen-
Mr. Folks career at the university was distinguished
At each semi annual examination he bore away tho
first honor, and finally graduated in 1918 with the
highest distinction of his class aud with the reputa-
tion II being the first scholar in both the mathematics
and classics OF the former science he passion
sely fond though equally distinguished as lingust.
His course at college marked BY the assduity
and studious application which have since distin-
guished him His ambition to excel was cqualled by
his perseverance alone in proof Of which, it is said
that he never missed recitation nor omitted the
punctilious performance Of any duty Habits of close
application at college apt to be despsed by those
Who pride themselves bri!lisncy of mind as II they
were incompatible. This IL q melancholy mistake.
Genius has been defined the faculty of appre-
citation The latter is at least something better and
more available So carefully has Mr. Polk avoided the
pdtry of classical display which is the false Of
day and country almost to hide the acquisitions
for the useful subsantia indicated by his youth
full passion for the mathematics has made him select
style Of elecution which would perhaps be deemed
plain by the admirers Of hashy declaration
From the university he returned to Tennessee with
health impaired by application, and in the beginning
of the 1879 commenced the study of the law hat
profession which has furnished nine Of the eleven Pre-
sdents Of the nited States in the Office Of the late
Felix Grundy, for many years representative and
senator Of Tennessee In Congress- under whose
pcss he wasadmitted to the bar ut the close of 1870
lie commenced his professional in the county Of
Msury with great advantages, derived from the
neeton OF his family with Its early settlement His
prvations difficulties and the associates Of his
own youth. But his success was due TO his personal
qualities still more than to extrinsic advantages A
republican In habits well as in principles, depending
for the maintenance Of his dignity upon the esteem Of
others. and not upon his own assum pon, his manners
concilated the general good will The confidence Of
his friends justified by the result HIS thorough
academical education his accurate knowledge of the
law, his readiness and resources in debate, his I'M
weacied application to business secured him, at once
full employment and in less than year he was already
|
ME- Polk continued to devote some years exclusively
TO the prosecution Of his profession with progressive
augmentation Of reputation aud the more solid re.
wards by which 1t Ia accompanied In 1929 he entered
upon the stormy career Of politics. being chosen to
present his county in the State Legislature by heavy
majority the former incumbent, but not without
formidable opposition. He for two successive
years member of that body; where his ability in de-
bate and talent for business at gave him reputa
ton The early personal and political friend Of Gene
raj Jackson he was enc Of those whs in the session OF
lB33-24 called that distinguished man from his retire
mt, by clectuR him to the Senate of the United
in August 1925 being then in his thirtieth year. Mr.
Polk chosen to represent his district in Congress-
and his seat In the national councils in
following He brought with him those Fundamental
principles to which he has adhered through all
Sa,ions Of party From his early youth he was de-
mocratc republican Of the strctest sect lie has ever
regarded the constitution Of the United States
insrument Of specific and limited powers and he was
found IN opposition to every measure that aimed to
ty and legitimate functions Of the State
He sigpalized his hostility to the doctrines Of those
tutisn, in all their modes He always refused his as
to the appropriation OF money by the federal
vcrpment for what he deemed the unconstitutional
purpose Of CO nstructng works Of internal improve
within the States He took ground early against
the eonttitutionality as vel as expediency OF ma;
months before the appearance OF General Jackson's
fret message announced then his opinions In pub.
lshod letter to his constituents He has been op
posed tariff for protection and At oil times,
the strenuous advocate Of reduction Of the revenue
to the economical wants Of the government. Enter
tanning these opinions and entering Congress, he
did the first session after the election OF John uin
stand against the doctrines developed in the message
Of that chief Magistrate and was, during the con-
tinuance Of his administration, resoutely opposed to
its leading measures.
When MIR. Polk entered Congress he was, with one
or two exceptions, the Junior member Of that body:
His first speech was In favor Of proposition to amend
the Constitution In such manner as to prevent the
choice of President Of the United States from devoiv
ing on Congress In any event. This speech at once
public attention by the force of its reasoning
the copiousncss Of it's research and the spirit Of indg