The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1849-08-08
The period of.he late admiaislra,ion has

lutionary spirit. Almost all the govern
ments OF Europe have been overturned, or
shaken. will not say that our own, as
great example, has been the cause of all
this; but no doubt. like a city set upon hill,
1t has shed abroad it's light:-and when the
oppressed Of other governments. having sui.
tered to the last degree ofpatience. have ris-
en- to vindicate their rights, no doubt the
united otates have been, to them, q source
of instruction and Of hope.
Mr. Folk warmly sympathised with every
struggle for freedom. He didsnot wait to
see which ofthe antagonist powers would tri
umph, and then offer the homage Of the syco-
plant to that which might be in the ascen-
can't; but the Representatives Of this gov
ernment were instructed to extend the right
hand OF fellowship to the rising genius Of
freedom, whatever doubts, or dangers sur
rounded it.
but II requires powers more aknto prophe-
cY than any possess, to discern what will
DC the precise workings ofthis government
upon the old thrones and the iron institn-
tons OF other countries. No doubt the
millions who are oppressed by them. will
look for relief in the tight Of our example;
and yet they may greatly mistake the real
causes OF our prosperity They lie deeper
than written constitutions or equitable laws;
they lie in the moral sense. in the educa-
ton o. conscience, and as much room, as
there is for improvement; herein consists
the salt Of our institutions
Our people understand and practice for.
bearancs. they bow with submission in
rightful defeat, and gather new energies
for new conflict, TO be conducted in the
spirit end by the forms of law. There may
sometimes be a mob abou, . play actor, or
native Americanism, or some other hetero-
doxy. but thsy will scarcely produce more
excitement than the pebble upon the smooth
surface Of the waters.
But must confess that have but di-
minished hope in the success Of self-govern-
me Mt by that people which holds it's univer-
cal suffrage upon the consecrated Sabbath;
amongst whose leaders prevail rivalry, i'm
prisonments and prosecutions.
Nevertheless it is right that our rulers
should extend to them the voice Of enconr-
agement andtcounsel; and am sure they
Will bear testimony to deep, lively and
open sympathy in the late administration.
We have now done with the public acts
and character of Mr. Polk. He came to
the administration Of the government with
no reputation for exalted genius or endow-
monts. 1t is true that bis-fwere not the
powers of mind to dazzle, but to benefit
His were the powers to analize, to bring
forth and settle the foundations Of truth.
lie wrought on, his great and noble and
immortal deeds, in the exercise ola strong
mind; sound discrimination; Judgment
that seldom erred; extensive and varied
Mr.. Polk g moral character vas without
reproach and may eyer eg eer be quoted with safe
y "Ssa q lnodelfUr all in stations Influence;
1t is bright jewel i'll the coronet of his
Neither the ambler's board nor
the drunkard's debauch were ever graced by
his presence -surreg1ness OF domestic
faith md love, were to him an updefied
sanctuary. But the attainment and preser
walton OF such a character, so unble mished
IN ITSELF so attractive to the pure, is not all
due to himself. There was another, who
moved in his whole circle Of private q public
lie. Of gentle but pc erful influence, -oEe
who not only invested MIN with the breath
lngs OF pure pe,s ,nal devotion but with
the affections purified in the fountain of in
finite refinement. She cast around him the
restraints and prompted him with the ener
gies Of heavenly love. She sought not only
to give him !avor in the eyes Of men, but in
the eye Of Hun, "Who see;h not man
seeth.' Her light was not that of the mete-
or, which comes in its obliq1e course, to
dazzle for season and 90 out; but it was
that ofthe morning and the evening star,
which shines and continnns to shine In its
place, whether it welcomes the approach of
the rising sun, or fingers to impart it's cheer
ing blessings as he departs in his setting
course.
Mr.. Polk came to his end, if not with the
bright evidences as to the future, which arc
exhibited iE the departure Of him, who has
long tested his life and his faith in the ser
vice of christianity, yet not without hope.
He bore testimony to the truth Of its great
: teachings, in the RECEIPT ion of its consecrat-
ed rights in the open acknowledgement Of
its renovating power. Better, without doubt
it would have been to have secured TO him
self at an earlier period, and to have extend
cd to others, in the influence of a silent.
yet eloquent example, the benefits of those
doctrines which have overcome, and will
swallow up every system, WHICH processes
to cast light upon the duty of man, and to
teach him how ne may be justified with his
maker.
But better even in his dying hour, the
hour which strips life off its deceis, thus to-
have borne test imony, than that.his life and
shis'death should have been blank IS to the
hopes and fears Of Immortality. s
Was it not ascene Of interest 70 behold
the minister ofSreconcilia there bythe
bedside Of the dying man-the manswho had
spoken to sovereigns in tones OF authority
sealing upon hinl il the sprinkling Of water,
the sacrement which all ought 70 receive,
receiving the testimony, which all ought to