Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-06-29

Notwithstanding this disadvantage, and the
still more formidable one of painful affection,
from which, after years of suffering. he was
finally relieved by surgical operation. he &C
Quired the elements of good English educa
lion. Approaching that his constitution had
been too much impaired 10 permit The conhne-
ment of study, his father determined. much,
however, against the will of the son, TO make
him commercial man and, with this view,
placed him with a merchant.
He remained few weeks in situation
adverse to his wishes. and incompatible with
his taste. Finally, his earnest appeals sue
ceeded IN overcoming the resistance of his IA
Their, and in July, 1913. be was placed, first
under the care of the Rev. DR., Henderson, and
subsequently at the academy of Murfreesboro,
Tenn then under the direction of MIR. Samuel
P. Black, Justly celebrated in that region ms a
classical teacher. In the autumn OF 1915 he
entered the university of North Carolina, hav-
ing in less than two years and a halt thorough
" prepared himself to commence his collegi-
ate course. being then in the twentieth year
of his age.
Mr.. Po'k's career at the university was dis
! tmguished. At each semi.annual examina-
lion he bore away the first honor, and finally
graduated in 1918, with the highest dlstlnc.
| ton OF his class, and with the reputation OF
| being the first scholar in both the mathematics
and classics, OF the former science he was
| passjonstely fond, though equally distinguish
| ed as l(nguiSt His course at college was
marked by the same assidui'y and studious
/ application which have since distinguished
/ him, His ambition TO excel was equalled by
| his Perseverance alone; in proof of which, it
/ is said thst he never missed recitation, nor
omitted The punc,ilious performance of any
duty. Habits of close application at college
are apt 10 be despsed by those who pride
/ themselves on brihancy of mind, as if they
were incompatible. This is melancholy
mistake Genius has ever been defined the
faculty OF appreciation. The latter is, at least,
something better and more available So care
fully has Mr.. Polk avoided the pedantry OF
classical display, (Which is the false Ease OF
our day and countTy,l as almost to hide the
acquisitions which distinguished his early ca.
reer. His preference for the useful and sub
stantial, indicated by his youthful passion fol
the mathematics, has made him select a style
of elocution which would perhaps be deemed
too plain by the admirers of fashy declama
ton.
From the university he returned to Tennes.
see with health impaired by application, ant
in the beginning of the year 1919 commenced
the study of the law Chat profession which
has furnished nine OF the eleven Presidents o
the United States) in the office of the late Fe
lix Grundy, for many years a representative
and senator of Tennessee in Congress. unde
! whose auspices he was admitted 10 the bar
+. at the close of 1920. He commenced his pro
fessonal career in the county of Maury witt
great advantages, derived from the conneXior
of his family with its early settlement. Ei
: warmest friends were the sharers Of his ia
0 theirs early privations and difficulties, and tht
# associates of his own youth. But his success
i was due 10 his personal qualities still NOR
than 10 extrinsic advantages. A republican
in habits as well as i'll principles, depending
: for the maintenance of his dignity upon III
: esteem of others, and not upon his own as
n sumption, his manners conciliated the genera
goodwill The confidence of his friends wa
justified by the result. His thorough acade
mical education, his accurate knowledge o
the law, his readiness and resources in de
, bate, his unwearied application to business
secured him at once full employment, and il
= less than year he was already leading
practitioner.
e Mr. Polk continued to devote some year
i exclusively 10 the prosecution of his PROBES
] sion, with progressive augmentation of rep
! utation, and the more solid rewards by whc
it is accompanied. In 1923, he entered upo
: the stormy career of politics, being chosen i
IS represent his county in the State Legislature
d by heavy majority ovel the former incum
d bent, but not without formidable opposition
! He was for two successive years member @
that body, where his ability in debate and tai
+ ent for business al once gave him reputation
IT The early personal and political friend of Gen
T1nl- ho 0F -bn
. session of 1924, called that distnguishe
=. man from his retirement, by electing him +
% the Senate of the United States.
In August, 1925, being then in his thirtiet
: year, Mr.. Polk was chosen to represent hi
c district in Congress, and took his seat in tn
!, national councils in December following. II
: brought with him those fundamental prime
y plies to which he has adhered through all tn
e mutations of party. From his early youth h
h was democratic republican of the strictes
T. sect. He has ever regarded the constitution
J. Of the United States as an instrument of spe
cific and limited powers, and he was found il
opposition TO every measure that aimed t
consolidate federal power, or detract from tn
K dignity and legitimate functions of the Stat
E governments. He signalized his hostility t
the doctrines of those who held 10 a NOR
It liberal construction OF the constitution, in a
n their modes. He always refused his assent t
j. the appropriation of money by the federal GO
: vernment for what he deemed the unconstitu
), tional purpose of constructing works Of inter
d nal improvement within the States. He too
Il ground early against the consttutionaEty a
e well as exEediency OF national bank an
=, in August, 1929, consequently several month
S before the appearance of General Jackson
# first message, announced then his opinions i
o a published letter TO his constituents. He ha
If ever been opposed to a tariff for protection
: and was, at all times, the strenuous advocat
of reduction of the revenue TO the economi
:. cal wants Of the government. Enterainin
these opinions, and entering Congress, as h
+ did AT the first session after the election c
e John Quincy Adams to the presidency, h
: promptly took his stand against the doctrine
l. developed in the message OF that Chief Magis
= trate, and was, during the continuance of hi
lie administration, resolutely opposed 10 It's leac
l. ing measures.
d When Mr.. Polk entered Congress, he wa
y with one or two exceptions. the junior men
If Der of that body. His first speech was in ia
k vor of proposition to amend the constitntio
1t in such manner as to prevent the choice c
), President of the United States from devoirln
= on Congress in any event. This speech {
e once attracted public attention by the force c
Is its reasoning, the copiousness of its research
d and the spirit of Indignation with reference I