The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-11-17


foothold on the western continent Great Britain was
struggling maintain the mastery over the commercial
world which she had enjoyed with undispued sway for
ages She saw gigantic rival rising up In the west ana
she saw with CONSERVATION that thai rival guided BY
counses OF slalesianshp, which would win from her
the sceptra of commerce, unless ihwared by her active
interference The superior craftsmanship which
fixed its eve upon the trade of the East, the grand
object OF lis policy saw thai TO make that policy com
psiely SUCCESSFUL, further European colonization
should be tolerated on the western continent Time
will attest the sagaciy of President Polk in pr?caimng
this NOBLE doctrine TO the powers of Europe II Il shall
be maintained with unshnnking fmness in the future
ac9nsowedged colossus Of sations dispensing CONNER
cal law 70 the world radatng the benign influence OF
its free institutions to every quarter OF the globe, and
rs own N s ssssaus o. sum
and upon the eest the happest and the most pow
erfu people the face Of the eartha people in whose
heats will be forever ebamed the name and memory OF
James X Polk. Of the putes patriots wisest states
men, and greatest benefactors OF our country.
The administration, Of which have attempted give
mere outline came TO close on the AZ Of March, isa9
The entire work chaked out for execution IN Mr. Folks
inaugural address, and even more, had been accom-
pshedL-h5lhing that he had undertaken was left un
finished Or incomplete Our difficulties with tofegn ia,
tons had all been amicaby or honoraby adusted and
were at peace with the world whilst prosperity and
happiness prevailed throughout our own country
With the witness OF good conscience attesting that
he had faithfully discharged his whole duty, Mr.. Polk
with unaffected cheerfulness resigned the insignia OF
office, surrendered the helm to his lusrous success.
or, and descended into the ranks private citizen
His journey homeward was marked by succession
Of enthusiastic demonstrations Of popular appreciation
and attachment, which gave to it more the appear
ance OF victorious military chletain returning home
covered with aurels than OF private citizen seeking
the retirement Of quiet home.
No man ever sought the happiness Of private life with
better prospects Of finding il than did Mr. Polk With
cely and eompanonshp ii Vile whose superior intel
lectua endowments, combined with the choicest gfaces
and virtues Of female excellence. qualified her to shed
usire upon public station Or e lnfqse contsniment and
sdn he would have been to our immediate society where
he had determined to spend the evening Of hts life, all
who have appreciated hs eminent private virtues w
mild and forbearng in his temper, kind and soclabe In
his dispositions liberal and tolerant in his opinions, &C
cessble and easy in his intercourse Tree and lively IN ms
the social circle, whilst his habtual and coscien
tious regard for virtue and morality in all his conducts
combined with his uniform rsverenai respect iof y,
the influence OF his example He was regular reader
of the Bible, and constant attendant upon divine wor-
ship As illustrative OF his private habits and opinions
in come zion With religious subjects, may be INDUCED
in quoting entire memorandum made by him his if
tieh birthday, and left amongst bis papers i is as fol.
lows; SUNDAY, Noy 3, TENDED the Methodist
with my private secretary, Knox Walker L was an in
clement dayhere being rain from an early hour in the
morning Mrs poE and the ladies SD e my household
Der Of the Presbyterian Church, generally attend that
church with her. though my opinions and predictions
are in favor OF the Methodist Church.
"This was my birth day-being fifty years od-hav-
ing been born according TO the Family Register in the
Family Bibe corroborated by the account given me by
my mother, on the I'd Of November, 1895,
"Ihe text to-day from the Acts OF the Apostles,
chap IT. verse 81, Because he hath appointed day in
the which be will judge the world in righteousness by
the man whom he hath ordained 1t was communion
day in the church, and the sermon was solemn and fcrc
ble II awakened the reflection that had lived nifty
years. and that, before fifty years more would expire,
would be sleeping with the generations which have gone
before me- thought OF the vanity OF this worlds hon.
orshow little they would profit me half century hence
and that it time for me TO be putting my house in
ORDER"
domestic and social circle in his retirement he had deter
mined to employ his leisure hours in literary pursuits and
arranging, dgesng, and preparing the ample materials
his possession for historical review OF the political
events OF his times. With such hopes and ancpa-
tons he had looked forward with pleasure 10 the ermna
ton Of his public career as the commencement OF new
OF domestic and social happiness in his retirement
To the enjoyment of such retirement he strongly
invited by the precarous condition OF his physical con
suton which had been greatly enfeebled and SKATER
ed by the excessive labos and of public life When
he returned amongst were all struck by The marks
OF premature old age in his personal appearance -Four
years BEFORE we had seen him standing erect in our
midst in the prime and vsor OF manhood, receiving the
congratulations OF his neighbofs and friends upon
his elevation to the highest Office in the world II was
my fortune TO be the organ through whom these congra
ulaons rendered TO him. How little did then
suppose that, the end of four years. should him
return with locks vieing in Wilderness with the snow,
and his body bending il under the age OF many years
Much less did II occur TO my mind that in short time
should be called to stand at his tomb and the
virtues ana services OF his fe But such has been the
will OF an all wise Providence, and we bow TO II with
becoming submission He returned among us literally
out in the service OF his country; and instead OF
finding the years oil happiness which he sought in his
beautiful retreat, he returned only TO minge for few
days with his friends, and then lind early grave. The
dread summons, however, was not unexpected 10 hun,
nor was he unprepared 10 meet il; The conviction
been erased, had he abandoned the resolution then
formed-he had "put his house in Order" and, through
faith in the blood OF Redeemer he had made his peace
with his Cod and prepared TO pass through the dark
valley OF the shadow OF death without fear After at
tachEg himself to that branch OF the church for which
he had long cherished and expressed his prediction he
waited with calm resignation and composure the approach
Of death Watched over and consoed in his expiring
by the partner OF his BOSOM whose society for
more than twenty years. had thrown around his life its
purest enjoyment; and by the venerable mother who
gave him BIRTH whose prayers then, during long life,
ascending 10 God for his choicest blessings her
son. together with many other and dear relatives
and friends, he sunk gently and quietly to sleep the
18th OF June, 1919, TO wake more until the morning
OF the resurrection He had lived the life OF honest
man, pure patriot, and virtnous satesman-he died
the death OF true Christian. For the former he had his
reward in this wordfor the latter far richer reward in
the world 10 come.
He's gone TO his homo, like well rpend sheaf,
The ear in its fullness, and scar in It's leaf;
The angels have borne him with JOY 10 the skies,
The portals OF Heaven have closed on their prize.
He's gone, like the sun the dying Of day.
When shades veil the earth as its light fades away.
In greatness he ruled, and IN glory he rose,
When ca'd by the Saviour from this world Of woes