The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-11-07


sion. This the crisis in his political life II was to
test the soidiy Of his character and his capacity
statesman and = party leader.
All eyes were turned upon him. He was no longer
merely prominent member OF great political party and
local representative OF particular district or State He
United States, and held in his hands for time its des
the success Of its principles ana tne late oil the ad
minsiraton. He more than realized the hopes Of his
with he
His readiness debate-his intimate knowledge OF all
the affairs OF government IN every branch Of the public
rendering satisfactory explanations in the minuest de-
tails OF appropriations and expenditures, together with
his perfect selfpossesson in the midst OF Of
unph which inspired the confidence and admiration Of
his friends, and struck his antagonists with amazement
and confusion.
distinguished services had enshrined him in the hearts Of
his political friends, and indicated him as their chosen
leader IN future contests even until he should attain the
highest honos within the gift OF free and grateful peo
pie.
In 1885 he was elected Speaker Of the House Of Rep
resenatves and continued in that distinguished position
by reelection for four years Here the nature OF his du
ties was entirely changed From having been the leader
Of the House, and prominent and distinguished actor in
all the debates and scenes during that memorable period
whose duty TO enforce the rules, preserve
der and pose the scales OF justice in their exact balance
ad Of shade & h.s onn
messed the effort know how difficult is the task Proba
bly, man was an active participant IN the stirring
for moment, imagine that injustice had been done him
by the presiding officer. When the strongest passions Of
our natures are arousedwhen political parties are ar
rayed in deadly strife-when momentous consequences
supposed depend upon the issue, who hold the
ens OF power, check the curb OF the fiery spirits, and
bring them hack within the bounds Of moderation and
decorum, without mourning their impetnous resensnts
and sometimes snbjecting himself to momentary
suspicious of unairnessl Time, however soon removes
the COMPASSION subsdes-reason is reinstated, and
matte FIJI tod ha
comes in your favor tomorrow, and then its pro-
prety is indicated II is but faint praise to say that Mr.
Polk discharged the arduou and delicate duties OF Speak
er with singular ability, hrmness, impartality, and court
esy Ii has been my fortune TO be associated with those
who in the habit of protesting with bitterness against
MI FOLKS asspoc rule N Inc Speakers k ena and 70
express their deep regret that could not find another
like him TO preside over our deliberations
AT the close OF the long session of 1880 Mr. Polk de-
clned reelection, and retired from body with which
he had long been associated and from which he had
received and could continue to receive, its highest hon.
ors. @t
His reasons for this step commend themselves to our
consideration characteristic of his principles Of action
and an index TO the aims and objects OF his life His
party had been in overwhelming majority in his
State from his early childhood up to 1896, when eleven
out OF the thirteen members Of Congress, together with
large majority OF the leading politicians of the State de-
National Convention for the presidency OF the United
States. and rallied under the banner OF distinguished
Senator Of Tennessee as the opposing candidate This
new organization OF parties, as might have been
peced, reduced the democracy of Tennessee 10 small
mnority and semitic Congress- with two excep,ions)
Van Buren,. Mr.. Pix, and his late Postmaster General
Cave johnson, were the only ones who were able to
weather the storm and maintain their ascendency in
an election for governor. in which the opposition
candidate had hiumphed over General Armstrong,
the democratic nominee, BY more than nineteen thou
governor in 1882 and the popular incumbent of the Office
was then candidate for election, with what seemed
to be reasonable certainty Of an equally triumphant
lority. Mr. Polk had no wish TO be governor; but he
had still less desire to hold Congress- while his
principles and friends were In minority at home. He
therefore declined Ie,eecnon to Congress where tn
where success seemed hopeless from no other motive
than that Of devotng his best energies to revouozing
his principles and his party. or Of sinking with them be-
meath the general wreck. The was conducted
by physical and intellectual energy, attended with IA
tgues and exposures and exhibiting power OF endur
ance almost incredible He Iaversed the entire State
speaking by day and travelling by night and ceasng
in his Efforts until the polls closed He the
nineteen thousand against him al the outset and til
umphantly elected by than thousand majority,
thus exhibiting the confidence OF the people in the prnc
Pies character and integrity oil this distinguished citizen
regret that have not been able to lay my hand upon
the inaugural message OF Governor Polk. recollect
well IFS character Ii made deep and lasting mpres
as one Of the clearest and most beautiful exposons Of
The principles OF that political creed which he held in
common with all the disciples OF that school OF politics
to which he belonged and the advancement OF which
AL the energies Of his mind for the greater portion Of his
The next year General Harrison reversed the majority
and carried the State against Mr. vaa Buren, by
than twelve thousand Thus Mr. Polk was subjected 10
the modification OF seeing his principles, his party and
his friends FRUSTRATED beneath majority great that il
seemed quite hopeless 10 attempt 10 them second
time. His health bad become much impaired from the
effects OF the previous contest. which, connexion with
the duties OF the Office, would deprive him Of the power
oil making another 10 vigorous Besides the
politics of the State had become at least for a time
hmly established in favor OF adverse doctrines Accord
ingly he was defeated in 1871, and again in ls43.
IL 10 strange, under these circumstances, that the demo-
cratic party Of the nation should have appreciated his
character, and have remembered his services when
pose OF nominating candidate for the presidency True
although equal ~ experience, he younger than any
man who had been elevated that exalted station
and therefore could abide his me until the country had
awaited itself OF the Of those OF rper years SO
he thought, and thus thinking, refused to allow his i'm
convention, and would instantly have Withdrawn it,
when presented from distant portion OF the Union had
he been present He ardenily attached TO the meas
ures and principles OF Mr. Van Burens administration
and thought at that time that the party ought TO be re
stored to power under the lead OF the man with whom
and without whose fault il had been temporarily paral
yzed.
The convention, however, after mature elaboration.
and for reasons which they deemed valid. decided other
wise and he in accordance with those principles which
had ever controlled his political action yielded implicit
obedience 10 call which he did consider himself nj
Liberty to disregard That election with all its attendant
msances and incidents, is so fresh in the ecollec
ton OF all 10 require particular notice this occasion
sufcient that he was elevated by the free SURFACES
oil free people 10 the highest position OF dignity and
fulness that moral could bestow.
on The 4th day OF March, 1s45, Mr. Polk was naugu.