The North-Carolina standard., 1849-08-29

o.
the great events of life spent in the fields of pol
ltcal warfare, and to pronounce panegyric on the
deeds of one, who when living was the leader of a
political party, and DYING leaves the nation still ag
was illustrated by his life. After centuries shall
have passed away, and all our passions and preiudi-
ces, with bodies shall have died and been forgot
ten, then and then only, may trust the philoso-
phlc historian to record the of this age. 1t
is different with military hero. When chieftain
dies who has led armies through the storm of
tie to victory, in recalling his deeds, all feel
like immediate sharers of his glory; stand with
him upon the battle field, and behold the un-
urng of the stars and Stripes gather around that
sacred standard, where political differences, the very
ofwhig and democrat, drowned in the SWELL
ing tide of patriotism On the other hand, the life of
the politician is made up of principles well
tions. And unfortunately, perhaps fortunately,
we all differ in opinions, of those great princi-
Piles, by which our statesmen are guided. We con-
tend warmly under the banners of respective par
ties. And the great trumphs our leaders achieve,
are oftentmes the triumph of party, and pos
teriy alone decide who is the champion of truth,
and who the deluded apostle of error. Therefore if
in gancng at the incidents which mark the political
career of Mr.. Polk, should touch cord which
vibrates discordantly with those emotions which har
monZe with this solemn OCCASION it may be attribu-
ted to the delicacy of task the strong bias of
political friendship.
Mr. Polk belonged to the Jackson school of polit-
cians. AS as he entered the halls of Congress-
he took active part in opposing the administration
of John Quincy Adams. His course was firm, steady,
and unyielding; his first speech was in favor of the
proposition so amend the constitution, to prevent
in future the election of President, any event. de-
volving upon the House of Representatives. This
speech at attracted the attention of the nation
and from this time forward for several years. his his
tory becomes Intimately associated with that of the
House. He served upon its most important commit
tees. His name is connected with every important
measure. And upon all he took bold and decided
ground.
In December 1885 Mr.. Polk was elevated to the
Speakers chair: The duties of this position of
the most responsible and delicate nature. The laws
which govern parliamentary proceedings are various
and complicated and he who administers them must
possess mind active, comprehensive, and firm. The
sessions of Congress were stormy ones. The war
of debate waxed fierce: Appeal after appeal was
made TO the speaker. And it is high, but a just
compliment TO say, his decisions were prompt and
uniformly sustained by opponents. Amidst
the angry passions that reigned around, his mind was
calm and serene. And the faithful and able discharge
of his duties, secured 10 him the unanimous thanks
of the body over which he presided, in all but one
instance hch was one of those occasions, which
the spirit of party usurps the scePtre OF courtesy
In 1889, Mr.. Polk declined reelection TO Con-
eress. He was then brought forward by his friends
as a candidate for Governor of Tennessee, to which
honorable office he was elected. During the same
year, or shortly afterwards, he nomintted by sew
eal States candidate for the chair Of the Vice Pres
ident In the following elections for Governor,
he was defeated by Gov. Jones' After which, he
retired into private lfe where he probably expected
to spend the remainder of his days, beloved by his
friends, respected by al honorable member OF an
honorable profession, with political reputation sui
fcent to satisfy moderate ambition.
But on the 29th day of May, 1914, Mr.. Polk re-
ceived the nomination of the Democratic convention
for President of the United States In obedience to
this call he forward in opposition to one OF the
most distinguished gentlemen America has ever pro-
duced-a man high in the of his friends, and
respected for his eminent talents and public services
by his political adversaries. The result was Mr.
PoIk's election. And on the 4th of March, 1845 at
the eastern end of the Capitol In the presence OF the
two houses of Congress, the judges and high digni-
taries of the State, the representatives OF foreign
Governments and thousands of his fellow citizens,
he took the oaths prescribed to the President OF the
Republic.
He assumed the reins of government at crltI-
cal period Every foresaw, that his administra-
ton would be an active and important one. In the
protracted discussions upon the Oregon boundary,
Great Britain began to assume wariIke attitude, and
stood upon the verge of open hostities. The
summating the admission of Texas into the Union,
brought the armies of Mexico upon our Southern from
tier with threats of invasion. Those great questions
which had for years agitated the political world, and
shook the foundations of social fabric, about
to he brodght to close if not final ISSUE Each party
gathered up its strength, and buckled on its armor
for the contest. For the next four years the Office
of President would be no sinecure. He who filled
it must be statesman of extraordinary sagacty-a
man with far-seeing eye and steady hand. The
crisis, one after another, came And the conduct of
the President say the least, strengthened the
fdence of his friends and raised him in the estima-
ton of the world.
The performance of great actions with success
either on tie moral, physical political arena, the
world looks upon as the best assurance of great
man. And it was not to be forgotten, that under the
auspices of Mr.. Polk the dispute with England in
regard to the Oregon boundary settled with hon.
our to our country. The diplomatic talents of our
statesmen receive the commentator even of the Eng
lsh Lords and Commons; and the clouds of war that
hung over the north dsspated by the benign iniu-
ence of peace that promises long duration.
The war with Mexico opened, and conducted
with an energy, brilliancy and success without
parallel. Victory after victory covered our armies
with imperishabe renown. Fortresses, that We'd
in strength with Gibraltar, captured. Armies,
posted in positions pronounced impregnable gave
way before the irresistible daring and energy of
American soldier. City after city surrendered until
finally our flag waved in triumph the proud and
ancient city of the A1tecs Hero after hero appear
ed who illustrated the skill and enterprise of the
American warrior. Upon the battle fields of Mexi-
CO was developed the high military character of that
distinguished soldier, who now presides over the
destines of the Republic. And, side by side, with
him fought another gallant officer whose name should
not be forgotten in like this. And while
hearts are turned to sorrow, we may weep over the
grave of the lamented Worth. He was brave and
Gallant gentleman, and with his we'll tried
Blade, carved his way to fortune and to fame. He
entered the army subatern, where he attract
ed the attention of his commander and received the
sword and epauette of an officer. In the of 1912
he was on all occasions true to his duty, and promo
ton rapidly followed. The Mexican war found him
a General of brigade. He shared with Gen. aylor
the honor of the capture of Monterey. And having
ioned Gen Scott's army at Vera Cruz participated