The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-07-27

united wit their fellow citizens y ilsstptoa Of his
heart Summoned. fellow citizens. By instructive pa
he virtues q he sssa s 81 %Sssss1 msS
sssnssmsn Due a. 'i : Ss from sas the iu as
nous departed, il Is equally honorable to the human
heart and worthy Of The character Of our glorious
Honoring. and fully participating in the sentiments
which govern YOU il win be my purpose, yosr Organ
TO- discharge the duty assigned me in such manner as
y Of the occasion shall not be violated by lberal crit
cism on men and measures OF the past
The late President, James Knox Polk was born'on
the I'd day Of November, 1885, and the eldest Of ten
children His gryatgrandfather was among the earliest
Of those who sngraisd 70 this country in the beginning
siton and intelligence, and brought with him to the
shores Of the Chesapeake did others Of his day. those
habits Of thought and that mness Of parpose which so
o 81 s early L SS
Of the American mind Most Of them were thoroughly
81 s sSs
consecated by the blood, OF the vanes the Elos and
the Hampdens during the 18th century They sought the
efnemens Of an old and cultivated society," but because
God in the unresirained ardor Of their spirit and to en-
II The control Of mean and prosecuting tyranny ''N'''u
The branch Of the family from which the aie Presi-
dent Immediately descended removed from Maryland to
western Pennsylvania. and thence, time before the
American revoution 10 the western frontier Of North
Carolina. ltwas in the county Of Meckienbufg he first
drew the breath Of life-a fitting place for the natal
home OF such man ltwould seem, indeed, that the
spirit OF freedom, towering that sacred SOIL there
shed upon, his infant mind the holy influence which
censscrated ! throughout after life @ AZ The purposes
sumed the manly attitude which wisdom saw would
at no distant time be taken by the colonies Upon the
soil Of Mecklenbg eternal separation from the mother
manded less by the inherent and ndeeasble rights OF
man than punishment to perdious government for
775 the people Of Mecklenbug formally and publicly as
solved from all allegiance TO, and dependence
on the British crown, and declared to the world, in manly
This occurred more than year before the position
Colonies IN 81 e1 ps sessa
picuous, his great uncle Col Thomas Polk, being the
chief supporter of this noble act Of resistance whilst an
other of his blood was it's author Looking back to the
history Of those days. and contemplating the unparalleled
growth OF the country since, in population, wealth. ex
tension, enterprise, glory and happness-how profound
ought our admiration to be for the wisdom and patriotism
Of that chosen few, who, governed by unsesh and
lofty impulse oresaw our present happiness and strength
and to which, for and the millions coming alter
u.s. staked their all the issue of the errhcay fearful
contest their unparalleled resolution invoked Green in
deed should their memories be kept in the hearts
pie" Let the time never come when the heritage they
have left us shall be lightly valued or their patriotic viz
tues diminished by the ungenerous cavls Of the pedan
treacherousy brought into question by apologss for
tyranny Their earthly career is over and we know its
history, for
-- % True indeed IL is
That they whom death hath hidden from our sight,
Are worihest OF the minds regard with them
The future cannot contradict the past.
Il undergone"
SPrngng from such race. and reared in the principles
OF christian piety and republican simplicity nothing could
De wanting to make bis life distinguished and useful but
talents and energy and with both, he most boant-
varied and illustfions career abundanfy establish
In the year 1896, his father, of enterprise re-
moved with his family of ten children to Tennessee
his elevation to the presidency Mr. Polk continued to re-
side In the same place. At the time OF his removal there
that portion OF Tennessee little more than wilder
but long snce under the fostering OF industry
il has become the abode of wealth. OF genuine refine
ment and OF numerous population, comparing not I'M
isyctaby with that Of any other portion Of our land in
worth. Amid such people his infancy and youth were
passed and all who know aught Of the character Of OUT
Gst.sn NEED mol q tod ,ns ns
Try, peculiarly sgnazing them in all the congregations
OF men This perhaps l. owing in great degree to the
,S scale On which are al things round and
and OF invgoating enterprise in their pursuits of life
distinguishing them as rare and valuable people. Sub
grow to manhood unblessed BY beneficial impressions
on the contrary In every act OF his life he exhibited con-
vncng proof that he felt and thought with the same
been cast
In newly settled country. the advantages of educa.
ton are, oil necessity limited. and that 10 which the
President had been taken by his father did not constitute
an exception Small, however, these were, they were
cheerfuly accorded by the parent and ayaed OF by the
son TO the extent OF acquisition Of the elements OF
sound English education. The assiduty with which he
devoted himself to study, added to distressing physical
affection under which he labored near terminating
in boyhood life destined, however, as the sequel
proved, under the experimenting care OF Providence
TO be preserved for the future benefit and glory of his native
land Until some time after his relief by surgical opera
ton, his weakened frame and PROSTATE health required
total abstinence from all indulgence OF studous habits
80 soon, however, as he partially restored to
the vgor OF health he resumed his studes-frst, under
the direction OF distinguished divine then the principal
Of the academy Of Murreesburg, and then under Mr..
Black, justly celebrated, IL is sad, in that region as
fine classical scholar: by him he prepared to enter
the University Of North Carolina, which he did in 1875
being at that time in the twentieth year OF his age For
three years he remained al the university acqutng him.
self in manner TO give the highest satisfaction to those
having il in CHARGE and reflect the degree of credit
on himself II is said that at this early period OF e the
conspicuous then fully oedand 90 attentive was
he 10 his collegiate duties that he missed reca-
ton II Is also established of him. that at each semi.
annual examination, he the first honor and graduated
with the highest distinction OF his class, leaving behind
him the reputation Of the first scholar in classics and
mathematics
Thus graduated, in 1878, he started for his home in
visited his Alma Mater her guest He eit her in his
youth with the highest honors she could bestow and all
fairly won BY unfalterng perseverance, and faithful
discharge of every duty He returned in the calm me-
rdian Of life clothed with the highest honors man can
receive on earthhose OF the presidency Of the United