New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1849-06-19
Jame. Knox Poik.


duties Of his Office President Polk, Ia about three
months after bis term had expired Oh eleven
ex-Presideuts, Mesns. Van Blren and Tyler sooe
remain among Us. Mr.. Polk was the yoange"
man ever inaugursted as President only - years
and 4 months old when be took oh.ee. HIS con-
ner;on. were members Of the old Revolutionary
pa,tv who had aided and favored independence
bss.re sod during the " ar Of 1910.
J.xs. KSox Polk was born IN Mecklenburgh
County. North Carolina, Nov 2, 1925, and a. the
time eli his decease was 50 years aud months old.
Some accounts make his ancestors Insh, others
sootch-some say their Original name was Pc. ocH,'
Others tha, il was Polk. We think It probable
that they enigrstsd to the Colonies from the
North Of Ireland IL appears that bis branch Of
the family had resided ia Msryisod, 10 Psnnsylvs-
mis-, 10 NORTH. c arons, and finally removed y Ten
nessee. Andrew Jackson stated, in lS44, that ne
had known James K. Polk from his boynOod, and
that "a citizen more exemplary 10 his moral de
pertinent more punctasl and exact in business,
more energetic AID manly 10 the expression Of his
opinions, and more patriotic, does not live"
Mr.. Polks father is, we think, still alive-he
was farmer and removed TO Tennessee ia 1906
also said that he acted as surveyor and, with
bis family, had 20 toll hard Tor living in the valley
of the Duck River then q wilderness James K
10 the Oldest Of ten chdren-scquired the rudi-
meDts Of al English aud classical education near
bis home, and after years Of suffering from
very painful complaint, was relieved BY sur
gical operation. He gained high honOrs at the
University Of North Carolina--was assidoous,
persevering And regular IN his attendance
q good mathematical and classical scholar. Ia
1872 he began 70 study the law with the cele-
brsted Felix Grundy of Nashville, was admitted
az member Of the bar OF Tennessee in 900
and was well employed in his line He
served as Clerk To the Tennessee Legislature
was next a member for Marry, his place OF resi-
dence, aud ia 1925, in his 3Oth year, elected to
Congress. NJ was opposed 70 National Bank
he hesitated - express that opinion for the first
two years in which he sat in Congress. but after
Mr.. Van Buren, went 70 Washington as Secreta-
ny, to wit in August 1880, Mr.. Polk began 10 give
the Tennesseesns some hints about "the monster.
Upward OF twenty four years since he married the
daughter Of Joel Chiders, Esq amerchant Of Ruth
erfDrd County, Tenn. Mr.. Polk bad no children
was uDostentatious, quiet, domesticsDd religious
NOT fond of show dancing, dissi patton and late
hours Mr. Polk was member Of the Presby ter
ian Church II is greatly TO his credit that he has
the reputation of being no due.t. no gambler, but
n steady opponent to speculation. He was fourteen
years in Congress, and two three Of these years
Speaker, having been chosen in December. s35
and in September 1897. No more thorough going
party man could be fou nd than Polk-he was very
industrious, and while on the H)or of Congress
reported never TO have missed a vote. As he re
ceived a vote of thanks at the close of the session
OF 1881, for his impTtiaty as peaker 1t may b.
inferred that he had great control over his temper.
He was a ready debater delivered long aud ami.
mated speeches and was one OF the few hard.
working Legislators in his day. To those who saw
him when on a visit TO this City, during bis Pres
dental term, his cOuntenance aud manner bore
the impress of anxiety and care. In his inter
course with the public he afabe and cour.
teous his voice was strong bat unmusical he
was clear headed, and capable Of erasping, com
bending and explaining, complicated matters Of
public interest a polite and attentive listener ,
and so regular and devout in early life that Gov
Branch sfirms that during the four years that
he was at college he Mr.. Polk never once missed
prayers.
His personal character was irreproachabc.
"Of Mr.. Polk as private gentleman. aud as
known to us in his iocial and domestic relations,
said the Editors Of the National IafeligeHcer,
eve have no dispo stion to speak otherwise than
with entire respect
To sum up tho character of President is the
work of an impartial historian in future years.,
h. G,llx At N pip he
instant the telegraph announces bis demise-but
there is much ia Mr.. Folks conduct to which 1t
will be difficult to give so favorable interpreta
tion as might be wished. His manner of acquir-
Ing the Presidency was about as bad as the uses
to which he applied the high powers OF that othce.
Sllas Wright a Northera man OF much influence,
waived bis own far stronger claim To the Presi-
dency; gave Mr. Polk his powerful support, and
thus secured his election. Both are gone 20 their
last account both were born in the same year
both died cnildless; but only one oil them was
grateful, and that was Mr.. Polk.
We did not wish to see Mr. Van Buren, elected
President ia is4t but surely his claims were inf
nitely stronger than those of Mr.. Polk. whom not
one town or county in the United States had nom.
mated yet when Mr. Van Buren, had not only
uCquictCtu III tnC uuMluhtiou " tuc ACuuVssNah,
bat actually exer,ed himself in his behalf, under
the war cry of 54o 40, Oregon and Texas, &c. the
new incumbent turned short round upon his sup
porter, aud exorted himself to the very utmost to
defeat his prospects of becoming his successor.
Even Mr.. d. F. Butler WAS removed from the
District Attoroeyship here.
While Jacksons popularity was doubtful, Mr..
Richie held him up to the public asa monster unfit
TO live. ave would deprecate his election as a
curse to our country" said Mr.. r., yet he fawned
on Jackson when his popularity became boundess,
but was looked upon as his sanderer aud not
trusted by him.
jackson was Polk's patron and firm friend. The
moment he got power. however, he turned out Ct
Office Ms. Blair, 10 whom his aged friend had Oh
unbounded confidence. and Mr.. Richie, in whom
he had none, became the public printer.
We do not ,hiak it manly course to get into
power by using deception. A true patriot when
asked what policy he would pursue if elected.
would answer frankly and without equivocasion,
aud disdain to use language which permitted the
inference that he WAS in favor OF that which he