The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1849-04-25
From the Norristown (Penn.) Register.
JAMES K. POLK.

The period has not jet arrived when JUST
history of Mr.. Folks erentfll administration
may be written. The billows of party violence
have no, yet subsidized into calm-'he mist and
darkness Of party prejudice have not yet been
dispelled-and whether the task were attempt
ed by friend or foe the result would he equally
impotent and unsatisfactory. But the Time VIII
come when an impartial historical review oi the
past four years can be taken, and posierlty will
do ample Justice 10 an administration which was
characterized by tie occuricnceof m"re re-.
markable events than marked the course ol
any that ever preceded it. 1t seems as though
destiny had crowded into the brief period OF
time between the 4th of March, lS45, and the
4lh of March, lsi9, sufficient number st
subjects of grave deliberation, actions OF eScIt.
ing interest, and incidents of romantic and
thrilling effect, for the space OF half century.
The future historian will pause in wonder, as
he attempts to delineate them. and unborn gen
erations, as they read the record of the mighty
past, viii deliberate whether the pages they
are devourinn witt; eager interest contain mat
tiers of vertable fact. or aic filled WIN inc OUT.
uouring< of 6c,:onist's attractive pa' mercy
imaginative conceptions.
But, as we have already said, full and ample
Justice will be done to Mr.. Polk and his admin.
is,ration in future time. 1t will he seen that all
its measures were directed to the promotion OF
the public welfare, and that all its energies
devoted to the maintenance of the national
honor. That such legislation only was recon-
mended and approved, as had tor its object the
equalization, alike, of the public burdens and
blessings; and that the integrity OF purpose,
which was leading trait in the character OF
the head of the government, difiused its spirit
throughout the entire system. The trials and
peculiar difficulties to which MIR. Polk was sub
iected during his official term, seemed but 10
awaken new energies in his nature to meet
them appropriately, and the prudence and
forecast which marked his original selection OF
cabinet advisers, gave him associates and friends
worthy of reliance, and whose counsels. united
with his own talents, enabled him to bring the
ship Of state safely to anchor in 'snnS harbor,
under the protection of the constitution.
The state Of public affairs, when the ex.
President laid down the insignia OF office, was
as remarkable as it was happy. The financial
condition of the country was sound-its repu.
ta,ion was "blazing in brlliancy"-it had con-
quered one nation, fed another, and spread It's
own fame throughout the world: there was no
open question left for prospective arrangement
nor was there to be seen in the political no.
rizon even little cloud mo bigger than
mans hand" to lead TO future troubles and col.
lisons. All was calm, all tranquil prosperous,
and happy. The pro'Idrst monument OF good
administration is TO be found in the prosperity
of the people governed. Such monument
was reared by Mr.. Polk, and his wise. patriotic
and sagacious cabinet, and it will live long,
very long, after his revilers have 'Srulted their
brief hour" and passed away and been for.
gotten.
The ex.Presilent surrendered the trust which
the people had confded to him, in safety and in
honor to his distinguished successor. May that
successor be irnbued with the same spirit which
animated The retired Executive, and stand. like
a vgilant sentinel, on the ramparts OF the
constitution. to guard the rights and interests of
the people, and maintain, in all its dignity and
glory, the proud and unsullied honor ol the
American name and character.
THE OLD CABINET AND THE NEW.
The following article from the Burlington
Sentinel refers 10 an essential distinction be.
tween the elements and composition of the old
cabinet and the new. Mr.. Folks was an una,
in the true sense OF the term Gen. Tayor's,
on the other hand, although it may not already
have broken out into dissensions is made up OF
too discordant materials for any spirit OF com.
promise to knit them firmly together. Take,
fer example, one Of The questions to which the
Sentinel refers: and see how Mr.. ReverJy
Johnson (thc new Attorney GeneraD agrees
with Mr.. Collamer, (,he new Postmaster Gen.
eral.) Mr.. Johnson declared in one of his
recent speeches:
"The spirit Of abolition is like tho tabled
hydra. You may cut off one of his heads; but
the oathsome, Shiny serpent still exists, and j:
ete rnallY Kissing and throwing out bis thousand