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

Esogism By Senator DouGLAs, upon me iae II fTss-
dent Polk. dsiipersd at Chicago. Ill.,, an Jwyfas
Death always inspires the living with serious and sol
emn reflections When il invades the family circle Of an
as., 's Ss sO1s 'sss
tons honored son. the circle - enlarged but the inten
sity OF the affection is not diminished we nave assem-
OF our hearts, for the purpose Of manfesng sincere and
appropriate tokens Of respect for the memory, and grief
for the dscease. OF an eminent American citizen
giant praise even OF the lusrious dead The simple and
truthful story Of his evenfll life is his best eulogy The
will be competent to write with fidelity and imparaliiy
the history OF those great public events, which impa
Immortality % the name Of the late President. JAMES
PoLK and will render his fame enduring that OF his
country, to whose service his life was dedicated
The occasion, however, requires brief alusion 70 lhe
principal incidents Of his life in order to far and Just
appreciation Of bis character am not lnsensble 70 the
decacy and difficulties attending this portion OF my duty
resulting from his long continued and active participation
in the excting-scenes OF political controversy 70 within
to refrain however any observations, illusions
Of partisan nature, which not deemed essential to
the eucdaton Of the principles and motives BY which
James Knox Polk was born in the county Of Mecklsn-
burg, in the Stale Of North Carolina, on the I'd Of No
yember, 1885, His ancestors emigraed from Ireland
something more than century ago. and settled in the
ants shil reside. William Polk the grea, grandson Of
Robert, who was the pioneer and common ancestor OF
the family in this country, removed from the eastern
shore Of Maryland to Carlisle. Pennsylvania, about the
year i122. and subsequently q Mseklenbasg county
lished, and its branches became numerous and dsn:
guished long before The American revolution. Ezekiel
Of the famous declaration Of Independence
Ezekiel was The grandfather OF the late President and
commanded company OF North Carolina Rangers during
the revolution His brother Thomas was at the same
time the colonel Of the county and it he who issued
the order the several captains belonging to his
mand to have an election BY their respective
fhaf nf
pose Of absovng themselves from their allegiance the
British Crown. and asserting their right to immediate
The Alexander, who officiaed as selecmen and sec.
rotary OF the meeting, and Dr. Brevard, the author OF
the declaration itself aso connected BY blood and
marriage with the Polk family 1t was there, in the
county OF his nativity, and from meeting in which the
principal his relatives that emanaed the FIRST
formal declaration Of American independence, than
year in advance of the national declaration by the
Continental Congress The father OF the late President
respectable farmer in moderate circumstance, and
Of modest and unasslmng pe,enslons In 1885, he re-
moved with his family 10 the county OF Maury, in the
State of Tennessee.
With constitution naturally fra Mr. Polk, in early
YOUTH afflicted with painful disease from which he
suffered long. and eventually relieved by an excru
tating surgical operation His father desired him
upon mercantile life but ne s'adoss habits which he
for books and learning, rendered him any pur
suits in which his tastes in this respect could not be
81 july lsia he was placed under the care Of the Rev
Dr. Henderson, teacher OF youth in the vicinity and sub
seQuenfly the Academy at Murfreesborough
In August, 1875 having in the mean time become thor
tered the University of North Carolina, al Chapel Hill
His collegiate career miniature picture Of his sabse
quent life and furnishes the TO the eminent
which has crowned all his efforts He stood high
in his class, missed RECITATION, and always received
for the regularity Of his habits for his faithful obedience
10 the rules OF the institution, and his exemplary depor.
ment among his fellow students.
Method was part Of his nature, and exhibited itself in
his every act each day Of his life He had his stated
hours for sleeping, for eating, for labor for study and
recreaiion and event short Of provdenal nierposi
ton could induce him 10 dispense with these infexble
rules His PASSIONS naturally strong and impetuous
were subdued and scduced to the nnressting dominion OF
his judgment His bold and vigorous intellect
trained and disciplined be under the entire control
Of his iron will This, the greatest Of all human achieve
ments-a mans triumph over himsef-was attained in
early life. He accomplished in his youth what most
fail 70 attain in lifetime. Hence when he exchanged
the quiet and peaceful groves oil his alma dfer for the
more active and exciting scenes OF professional and Po
lcal fe he possessed advantages which gave him the
mastery all competitors who his equals in other
respects Graduating with the highest honors Of his
s. N S H. ne ~ s 70 os % and shortly al
dent at law In 1870 he admitted the bar, and
commenced the practice Of bis profession in the county OF
10 the presidency His quiet and aabe manners and un
assuming preensions drew hosts OF friends around while
his extensive legal and scholastic attachments and indie
fagable industry secured him eminence in his pro-
fession with its corresponding emolumenis
The political career of Mr.. Polk dates from 1873. at
which time he elected representative 10 the legis.
lature OF Tennessee. He established his reputation
ready and able debeef and useful practical legis.
laor. The personal and political friend OF General Jack
son. he was OF those who, during the session OF
iS2324, called that distinguished patriot from retire.
eni, by elecng him TO the Senate OF the United States
a. preliminary step TO his elevation TO the chief mags
tracy OF the nation. He continued a member of the
legislature, by reelection until in August, le25, when
he chosen represent his district in the Congress OF
the United States He took his seat in the House OF
Representatives in December in that year, where he con-
unned, BY successive elections, for fourteen years
Notwithstanding Mr.. Polk was, with one OF two ex.
datey assumed an active and prominent participation in
the debates and proceedings of the body His first speech
evnced decided ability. research, and reflection Ii was
IN favor OF the proposition 10 amend the constitution OF
the United Stsies allow the people TO vote d..
really for President and Vice President instead OF the in
direct system. which now obtains, Of choosing presde
hal electors for that purpose.
At the same session he introduced series of resou
tons, mbodyng his views in relation to the famous
Panama missiop which gave rise 10 OF the abl.st
mcst proacted and exciting debates that has ever arisen
in the American Congress
"From this time" says his biographer, "Mr. Folks
history Is inseparaby interviewer with that OF the House
He is prominently connected with every important ques
non and upon every one, ss By an unerng instinct OF
During the whole period OF Gen Jsckson's admnisra.
hon ne was one OF It's leading supporters, and at tines
and on certain questions Of paramount importance its
chief reliance"
The limits 10 which the occasion properIy re-
srcts me, will not admit Of detailed notice OF the nu
merous reports speeches. measures and Of his four.
teen years OF ncessanf labor in the Congress Of the Uni
ted States. To do The subject Justice would require
full history Of nearly all the great national questions
foreign and domestc-which eD1rossed the attention Of