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

7: Sciuioi! elIoW cltlZenS, worth IS no more. He
oleo wlth.hls iaurels green upon his brow, not as
soldiers love to die upon the battle field beneath the
snadow OF his eountrys flag but far away upon our
Wld southern frontier, engaged in an arduons dutv
Fesulence made him her victim. He died in the
arms OF his weeping wife and daughters, whom he
has left inheritors of his fame, and objects of ma
TONS sympathy. - ... -.
With Generals like this, the Mexican war was
enlnently successful, and stamps President Pok's
administration with fame almost without a paral-
lei In the history of nations. Peace brought large
acquisitions of territory. And the world looked on
with envy, the late administration brought under
our dominion that rich slope which sweeps from the
Rocky Mountains down to the Pacific country
whose wealth, prosperity and vast commercial i'm
Portance, no human mind can foresee. -
During these eventful four years, also settled,
probably finally, those great questions of internal
economy, which have fixed the financial policy of the
country. Without and within the government reap
! ed success. And how noble and sublime sight to
behold the man who was the focus of the power
whence emanated all these great events the Presi-
dent OF twenty millions of free people, met by foreign
enemy abroad, and internal discord at home; sup
ported at times but feebly by who ranked among
his warmest friends checked by opposition cele-
brated for lis talents and unring energy; his body
emacialed and worn down by fatigue yet there he
tolls, day after day, night after night, the great eng
neer OF that mighty machine, the government of this
great republic. -
Mr.. Polk brought to the administration of affairs,
that same energy of character, that same watchword
of onward slow but sure, which thirty years before
had distinguished the youth at the University. 'The
boy was the father of the man." The mind we'll
disciplined in youth, guided by the lessons of moral
virtue, and enriched by experience, was equal to the
task OF controlling those great events that stamp the
era OF the late administration. MIR. Polk has estab-
llSheo his character as great statesman. Under
"DlVlne Bengnlty" during his administration
country took giant strides in the paths of prosperity
There have been added her, all those character
istics which dignity and ennoble naton,-wealth,
population, rich territory, extended commerce, and
military renoWn.
With splendid reputation, having stamped his
name indelibly upon the age in which he lived, Pres
dent Polk the fourth of March lS49 accordance
with the beautiful theory of our constitution, descend
ed from that high eleva ion to which his country had
raised him. He was once more private American
citizen. On his journey to his home in the West,
he and the distinguished Lady who had shared and
graced his honorS, were received everywhere with
out distinction of party, with cordial respect and at
tentlon. He reached his home. New scenes of
happiness spread out before him. He had mingled
successfully in the turmoil of life. He had attained
the highest honors to which noble ambition could
aspire. Yet, he was comparatively a young man.
and life had much to promise. 1t promised a long
repose from successful labors. 1t promised dgni-
fled retirement that carries with it the good will and
Venerailon humankind. II promised serene old age
crowned with honors, and the blessings of free peo
pie. But alas upon the very threshold of these
grateful anticipatons lay the shadow of death
Disease laid her cold hand upon him. Tie felt
that he approached that unknown country, beyond
whose veil alone can penetrate the eyes of faith.
And Earth, with all her empty honors and vain
hopes faded from his vision, he leaned upon the arm
of Him, who alone could support him through s. the
valley and the shadow of Death. His Mother, she
who had cradled his infancy, guided his footsteps in
youth, and with mothers pride watched his lofty
career, now knelt beside his dying beds and as the
curtain of eternity lifted from before his eyes,
she breathed prayer to the King of Kings TO receive
his spirit
'Wherc Seraphs gather Immortality,
From lifes fair tree fast by the throne of Cod
James X. Polk died June 18th, 1s49. He was
tombed with Masonic ceremonies. He was men,
Der of that ancient and venerable order which has
braced within its brotherhood Washington, and
still embraces many of the wisest the best and
blest of mank ind. And his death, have wit
messed has called forth this occasion, that beau
tfu tribute of faterna and respect which is
paid by the Masons alike to the rich and the poor,
the high and the low.
Thus closes, Fellow Citizens, this book of life.
On its pages are written many lessons to instruct to
guide, and to encourage US. We taught that he
who would reap honors in manhood must sow the
good seed in the spring of life that the surest
foundation, on which to build honorable reputa-
ton, is industry and virtue We learn the value of
sefreiance, and that indomitabe energy that moves
on despite all obstacles, the mark that is set be-
fore it. We are assured, that he who consecrates
life of labor and virtue to the public service, with
eve single to the glory and honor of his country, WILL
in this life, meet his reward and be remembered after
death by grateful posterity. We are taught still
solemn lesson, that however exalted the station
to which we may attain, though we sound all the
depths and shoals of honor,'' the grave is her
tage and that should spend our lives, that
when "Death, the great proprietor of al,'' shall
summon US from earth, say, we have served
our country and we have served our God.