The North-Carolina standard., 1849-09-05

arT--
republican party, pancsicken Sy the novel and ex-
citing scenes around them now gathered up its scat
tered forces, closed upts columns in firm array and
ine result was triumphant vote against the Bank.
FROM the position of Chairman of the Committee
OF Ways and Means, Mr. Polk was, at the session
OF 1885, elevated to that of Speaker of the Houses the
third station in point of dignity in the Union. To
native dignity and suayity of manners, he added
profound knowledge of parliamentary law, and the
readiness and promptitude in the decision of points
OF order, indispensable in presiding officer The
duties of Speaker were discharged by him for five
sessions with rare ability, and at time when party
the governments 1'5 = a@i
After service of fourteen years in Congress, Mr..
Polk in 1889, declined reelection from district
which had so long sustained him.. Retiring from the
turmoil and strife of eventful public career, he
sought repose in the bosom of his family-happy in
the society of troops of warm and devoted friends,
and thrice happy in the proud consciousness of an
honest and faithful discharge of duty. But that
pose so desirable, destined be of short dura-
ton. He was again called from retirement and ptac-
ed in the attitude of candidate for Governor of his
adopted State, and after animated canvass was
ieeted-overcoming heavy odds against him.. He
filled the Office of Governor for two years, with dis
unguished credit and ability.
Wehave traced Mr. Polk through period
of fifteen years of laborious public servce-a period
pregnant with great events and marked by greater
acerhly of political feeling than any that had prev-
ousy existed First the delicate and thoughtful school
boy at Chapel Hill-studous, sober and discreet
punctual in the discharge of every duty surprising
all in the race for distinction, and winning the high
est honors in his GLASS; then the trusted representa-
tive of his county in the State Legislature, winning
the regard of all by the suapity of his manners and
deep devoonsto his duties then the honored repre-
sentative at his district in Congress, and by his abil
lty IN debate and great business capacity, placing
himself In the front rank of its leading members
Chairman OF the most important committee of the
House, and the chief prop and support of his party
at most trying period; then Speaker of the House
l2nI and IINy afk II
all these positions he the same sleepless sen-
mel upon the watch-ower, the tireless watcher
OF the public interests, the faithful guardian of
the public trusts committed to his Nor is this
all. 10 the execution of these duties he brought
ability rarely equalled, energy tagging and
sincerity of conviction and honesty of purpose
er questioned. Office he regarded as sacred trust
to be exercised for the benefit of those comforting it,
and not bestowed for the mere qualification of empty
pride, or vain and ostentatious display. 20
we have hitherto considered Mr. Polk in sphere
comparatively narrow and contracted, yet exhibiting
abundant evidence of capacity for the highest We
come now to regard him the Chief Magistrate of
the only free Republic earth. Faithful over a
few things" the public voice decided that he should
be ruler over many" No President has entered
upon the duties of the office under circumstances less
ausplclous-Done with greater number Of complex
questions of solemn public import meeting him at the
threshold. None ascended the platform of pow
er with deeper or more abiding sense OF the vast
responsibility of his position-none was ever AMI
gaclty. The youngest in years OF those who had
preceded him. he felt the solemn nature of the trust
committed to him, and summoned all the vast ener-
gles of his mind and body for the trial. Like the
rusty warrior on the of BATTLE he grded all his
aImor around him and awaited with calm composure
the coming conflict.
The string events of his most remarkable admin
istraton are too fresh in the recolleconof my hear
ers to require extended comment. brief glance at
the more prominent is all that the occasion demands,
the hurried nature of this sketch will allow. 10
history will belong the task of recording the giant
strides which the Republic made to honor and re-
nown during the period of his service-how arms
trumphed, and how the bounds of the Republic were
extended-how commerce fourished, and how new
impulses were given to every branch OF science and
the useful arts:
The system of policy which brought Mr.. Polk into
power boldly and openly proclaimed, and after
a tremendous struggle trumphed. 1t is needless to
say, that it had his most unqualified approval. lhey
the principles to which he had devoted the best
powers of his early manhood, strengthened by the
convictions of his riper years. They had grown with
his growth and Strengthened with his strength,
and never did honest public servant address himself,
more faithfully to the task of carrying them out
He called around him constitutional advisers, men
eminent for wisdom, talent, and distinguished pub
lie service, toassist him in the arduous and untrIed
duties of his position. And more-that cabinet
was unit, and moved together as one harmonious
whole. -
Not the least embarrassing of the many perplexng
questions which met him at the outset OF his admins
This question, which had baffled the Diplomacy of
previous administrations, and been postponed from
time to time under agfeeinent OF jont-occupancy
with England, now assumed threatening aspect.
The migratory spirit of our hardy and enterprislng
people, had studded the valleys of Oregon with
teeming population. Looking back far over the de-
sert wastes through which they had passed. and with
hearts full of aectionate loyalty to the land OF their
BIRTH they called npon the Government to terminate
the fatal union and give them the protection Of Amer
lean law. The appeal struck responsive cord IN
the bosoms of the masses. Without descending to
details it is sufficient say, that all previous nego-
tiations between the two governments had been bas-
ed upon the principle of compromise, and In that
spirit the parallel of 49o had been twice rendered by
US to the British government and twice refused
This was the state of the question upon Mr.. Folks
advent to power. In Difference to the action OF his
predecessors alone, he caused the same offer to be
again made, and it was third time refused. The
offer was then Withdrawn, title to the whole
off. Themessage of Mr.. Polk communicating these
facts to Congress- produced the most profound SEN
sation throughout the land. 1t was his first annual
message and the bold and manly tone it assumed
struck upon the popular heart War--Immediate
war, and war with the greatest power on earth
seemed inevitable. The pride of Great Britain. 1t
was said. would never permit her to yeld point
upon which her honor was staked. But the result
proved far otherwise. In a short time negotiations
were renewed, and Great Britain made us the iden-
teal offer she had thrice refused-wth the addition
al and unlocked for concession of strip of territory,
lvinp north of the PARALLEL three times large the
State of New York. This bold stroke of policy on
the part of Mr. Polk, resulted in the full and ample
concession of all our demands; and his frmness ex-
torted from England that measure OF ]nsuce which
had been long withheld and thrice openly refused
sI.- sc hfc oriaAi