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

man of genius is left far behind in the race.
Returning again to Tennessee, with his constitu-
ton greatly impaired by excessive application at the
University, he commenced the study of law in the
once OF the late Felix Grundy. At the bar he rose
rapidly to distinction.
In 1923 he entered upon the stormy career of pof-
cs being elected to represent his county in the State
Legislature. He was again elected a second time
and by his talent and devotion to his duties gave
unerring promise of those great abilities he was des-
tined to display on higher theatre. -
In 1926 being In the 30th year of his age, in the
full and rich maturity of all his powers both physical
and mental, he was elected to represent his district
In the Congress of the United States. He brought
with him into public life those fundamental principles
of political action to which he adhered through good
and evil report, and through every mutation of party
From his early youth he was republican of the
g straitest sect" He regarded the Constitution of
the United States as an instrument of specific and
strictly delegated powers and this formed the ground
work of his political faith. In word, he was op-
posed to the assumption and exercise of all doubtful
powers, loose and latitudinous construction of
that instrument. =,
Mr.. Polk was elected to Congress for seven con-
secutive terms, and served unnterruptedy for four
teen years.
1t was Mr. Polk's fortune to be in public life at a
most eventful period of our history The times were
the energies of the politician. The very atmosphere
was rife with great events. 1t was the end of the
old and the beginning of the new order of things
The younger Adams had fallen back before the dis
Jackson had risen triumphantly upon the shoulders
of the people. Mr.. Polk was the warm, ardent, and
enthusiastic admrer of Jackson, and never did man
manifest his faith by more able or devoted service
Nor that service unappreciated The of
ttiFon will - reposed confidence in his friend and
leaned his great arm trustng upon him. His abil-
ity in debate, energy. and great business capacity,
soon attracted the attention of the House; and he
was, by the consent of his party, assigned
to the position OF Chairman of the Committee of
Ways and Means-the most important committee of
that body. From the nature of its dutes this COM
mittee is always the organ of the Administration in
the House. Under its supervision have to pass all
estimates for the public service romprehendng every
question of finance. To attack it, then, is 10 attack
and embarrass the Administration through it.
At period of his course does MIR. Polk occupy
more commanding attitude. The Premier of England
holds not position more proud than this. AT the
head of the Committee of Ways and Means, in the
full and vigorous maturity of all his faculties, the
acknowledged organ and leader of the Administration
and possessing its fullest conference.-the friend and
admrer from principle of the illustous Jackson and
loved and trusted by him in reurn he stands before
the master spirit and embodiment of his party;
and like Saul among his brethren, looms " head and
shoulders above them all =" Twas this period, too
and in the bitter school of scandal and personal viu-
peEaton which marked the hour, that Mr. Polk learn
ed those lessons of calm, hrm and determined self
possession and reliance under the most trying cir
cumstances, which made him impregnable as leader,
and prepared him for the stirring of his own
after and eventful Administration.
and unequiYocal enemy of the United States Bank.
In his rst annual messageto Congress, he announce.
ed it to the assembled representatives OF the people,
and declared that under no circumstances, could
bill for its re-charer receive his constitutional sane
ton. The charter had five years yet to run. In
September, 1885, indignant at the unblushlng corruP
tions practsed by the Bank, he determined upon the
salutary measure of removing the public money from
its CUSTODY. A measure summary and so bold,
produced the profound sensation throughout the
country and then commenced scene of turbulence
and political violence without parallel in our previous
history and which has been fifty styled in the pollt-
ica parlance of the day, the Panic Period The Bank
boldly took the field and strove to wiring charter
and the restoration of its deposites from the agonzlng
cries ola suffering people, But little did It dream
of what stern stuff he was made, who stood at the
helm of State. The who had faced the conque-
rors of Napoleon the plains of New Orleans, and
showed himself in sheet of fire " in the thckest
of the Fray not to be turned aside from his pur
pose by the senseless rawlings of political gamblers
and stockholders.
In anticipation of the dread sentence that had been
pronounced against it, the Bank had stretched its
Communications the utmost tension. The country
was flooded with fictitious wealth in the shape of bank
promises to pay. Now the opposite policy was pur-
sued. The marble mother at the centre gives the or
DER and forthwith its branches, stretching
like the arms of the tabled Byareus into every State
in the Union, answer back the appeal. rapid con-
traction of the circulating medium commences. From
period of great apparent prosperity, distress and
dismay overshadow the land. Property fell enor-
mously in value and man lost confidence in his fell
low man. Nearer and still nearer did the Bank aP-
proach it's intended victim. Steadily and yet more
steadily did it contract the coil of its circulation, when
by one spasmodc effort it stTove like huge serpent
to crush the commerce of the country in its snuous
folds- universal cry of waiIing went up from the
land. Man stared at his fellow man with wild af-
fright and universal bankruptcy seemed inevitable.
It was the struggle of deah-the last effort of expr-
inc vitality Deputation fter'deputation waited up
on Genl. jackson, and besought him to restore the
deposites The stoutest hearts gave way-the stern
est resolutions were shaken. CONSERVATION seIZed
upon the Republican ranks, and the tlnd OF his own
party friends fatered and fell back But calmly and
serenely the old man stood amid the raging elements
around him:
"Like some tall cliff that lifts its awful form,
SweIIs from the vale and midway leaves the storms;
Though round its breast the rolling clouds spread
Eternal sunshine settles on its head
r. Nor prayer nor entreaty could shake his purpose
or change his determination. His word was the fiat
of destiny His band of faithful friends, like the
OLD Guard of Napoleon, closed in firm and stern
raw around him, and shielded him from the raging
storm without.
Amidst this scene of universal panic and alarm,
there was one who quivered not IN the blas-who
stood ununoved amid the storms of political adversely
That man was James K. Polk. Nobly and faithful
ly did he redeem the confidence Teposed IN him
ably and eoquently did he stand up and battle tor
the rigbt While friends were falling round him and
treason lurked in every bush, his manly form-llke
the tall plume of Murat at the battle of Eylau--was
every where seen in the hckest of the fght eneoqr
aging his followers stand firm and stemmlng with
his giant arm the reversed tide of battle - aa
"Among the faithless-faithful;
Among the innumerable false-unmoved unshaken, un-
seduced unterri6ed; -rt .-..-