The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-11-10

ing kindness and Confidence. L.
Daring his collegiate course. he dlsnng uishea "
an unwearled devotion study, unbroken
OF the laws OF the institution. and srel ~ ~ -
all his duties he won the friendship a IN ISIS he
fellow students and when. on graduauns ~ iolo, Ss
highest COLLEGE bonors were awarded TO him. all conceded
that they were Justly due TO his ripe scholarship ana us
W., ~ sbssnss Of twenty nine years. he visited bis
Alma Ma,sr was one Of bis companions, and recall
with melancholy satisfaction s and uon,s
cunning as when in youth he had lett her halls: but IN
other respects how different When he went forth from
~ auie shades OF the venerable seat OF learning, he
Was unused 10 the struggles OF life unveIsed In the
of men and he shank from the contemplation OF the fu
ure. with underlined and uncertain hopes OF success ne
returned al her invitation, honored by the confidence OF
his great country with reputation established, the Just
reward of long and meritorous public service and Milling
the highest civil Office known TO mankind With the
affection OF dutfu son, he knet her affairs and CRATE
fully acknowledged that to her. and 70 her training, he
owed in large measure the success OF his life
With all the distinction which a student can win, he
returned his home in the West and, adopting the law
bis profession, he prosecuted his studies under the d.
rection of that distinguished statesman and urst Felix
through life In the year 1870 he commenced the prac
ce and engaged in the stern realities Of the actual bust
But he did not relax his habits Of study Incessant in
his application business mild and conciatory in his
department, identified with the people, and mixing with
them with feelings OF kindness and unaffected respect
and confidence he in short time occupied high rank
in his profession. and realized large reward the
business OF The courts would warrant His fellow citizens
ing him 10 the State Legislature in 1923 and IA and
1895 he became their representative In the Congress OF
the United States That relation he honoraby sustained
for fourteen years, and enjoyed the confidence OF those
generous constituents as long as he lived
He brought with him into the halls of the national le
gsaiure the habits OF business and OF patient labor and
of thorough investigation, which his early training had
given him. and he very acquired the respect Of all
his associates, and the confidence OF his political friends
in ordinary degree. He often participated in debate,
and by his full comprehension of the subject, the result
OF careful and dispasslonae examination, and by his ia
milsr acquaintance with the business of the-House,
rapidly rose in reputation AS debater, he al ways
ready and effective. He did attempt rhetorical dis
plays his efforts not characterized by the rich ina
sy Of fancy or the dazzling Of genius
judcioas and forcble in his arguments He had, from
deep and unchanged conviction, adopted the political faith
construction OF the federal constitution claiming to limit
as far was consistent with the performance of its le
climate duties and functions the powers OF the federal
government, and leaving all others to the States and to
the people. He was enthu sast, but he impressed
with the tenes OF his political creed, almost with the
hrmness OF religious faith. With exemplary personal
habits, unremng in his attendance at the sttngs of the
House. assiduous IN informing himself on the subjects of
ITS business, and with ability and with powers of debate
it ne matter Of surprise thai he received Ike bqhes
hoGors which his friends could confer After perform
ing with unprecedented labor and distinguished
the duties OF chairman of the Committee of Ways and
Means, he elected Speaker of the House of Repre-
sentatves the third if the second Office in dignity and
importance bns s under our omx
this highly responsible office in times of ordinary po-
ica excitement Il was not to be expected that in the
House oil Representatives, constituted was and often
dashed into furious agitation by heated debates the pre-
siding officer would be equable and vigiant
avoid complaints OF departure from equal and exact
cult position, he felt justified in addressing the House,
which had thanked him fer the in which he had
performed his duties, in the following terms;
high office ,s Of Espest. to which !. has twice been
times Of labor and responsibility. 1t has been made
and order many Of them Of complex and dcul. aSarse
ter arising often in the midst of high excitement the
sovsrnnsns Thl. House has uniformly sustained m ae
Without Distinction OF the political parties of which is
IN March, 1889. MIR. Polk retired from Congress- with
ngn nauonal reputation, enjoying the undminshed
confidence of bis immediate constituents the esteem and
friendship Of prominent citizens throughout the Union
and especially OF the political party with which he had
He elected governor OF Tennessee under circumstan
ces IN high degree faiterng TO him and gratifying 10
his friends. And although he subsequently twice
defeated IN contests for the same office those results may
well be attributed other than the want of CONN.,
de1ce in his integrity or ability.
On retiring from the Office OF governor Of Tennessee
ne resumed the practice OF his profession and while en-
gagged IN the trial OF In one OF the inferior courts of
the State, be received the unexpected thai at
National Conver.tlon of his political friends he had
the United STATES the highest Office known to our insti.
uhons and not inferior dignity any known TO man.
KIM His competitor OF the most distinguished
o. our counymen, whose long life had been illustrated
oy brilliant displays OF talent and conspicuous public SER
nee, and who was enthusiastically supported by pow
u political party The election resulted in the choice
OF Mr. Polk, who thus called the performance Of
the highest and responsible duties at an age CON
sdenby short Of that OF any OF his strous predeces
eos But his judgment was MATURE and he bad a large
experience, derived from lone service In the various pub
INC trusts 10 which he hsd been called by his country
Ine presidential 5rce though limited in its authority,
ma nougn eeenaly executive, from the peculiar frame
OF our government invested with large powers sensiby
II not materially influencing, the important
nfess OF the country Our foreign relations and inter.
course conf led TO IFS manag ement and our domestic
policy II often shaped by the Presidents recommenda-
TONS or by the agency In legislation conferred him by
the constitution. The power OF appointment TO official
employment brings him into immediate with his
fellow citizens and, in the eager for such employ
men there Is great difficulty In making the best seec
ions IN 50 widely extended country ours and many
must be disappointed The patronage OF the government
~ source OF weakness TO any administration But be-
SIDES the intrinsic difficulties growing out OF the magnitude
OF s responsibilities and the vast horizon OF its duties
on his accession TO the presidency Mr. Polk encountered
ohers OF no inconslderable Importance He had estab
hshed reputation for Judgment talent, industry, fidelity,
and OF the lave Of his county, and he possessed
the full confidence OF his political friends but he was com.
brilliant achievement which had given prestige TO his
pane. and even with HE political friends Il was known
that comparatively but few had regarded him AZ their first
choice for the high Office TO which he had been elected
Ne bad no such personal hold on hsiI a ssxo,s Ma.
essJksl desire without dissatisfaction which had been
eheerully accorded 10 OF his great predecessors
The success of his administration the refere depended