The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1849-08-08

when he was elected Governor of Ten.
nessee. But at the recurrence of the
election in ls4l and ls43, although still
clung TO as the champion Of his party, his
competitor, MIR. James C. Jones, on boil
occasions prevailed.
1t is enough, felow-cilizens, to have
glanced thus briefly at tho incidents OF
this comparative seclusion. Imust has.
ten to follow the quick flight of time, in
order TO bring the lamented patriot once
more from the recesses OF his happy home
into the blaze Of his fame.
The nomination of Mr.. Polk for the
Chief Magistrucy, in May, 1914, was, at
the moment, unforeseen, but far from uu.
acceptable. There had suddenly arisen
aquestlon or point ofpolicy which quick
ened the pulses and divided the scni.
ments Of Democratic citizens. That
question, whose magnitude and urgency
were conceded, seemed for the time 10
domincer over all other considerations.
The republican convention which assem-.
bled at Baltimore, swayed by resisllcss
and patriotic desire for the annexation Of
Texas, withheld their choice from one on
whom it would otherwise have fallen, and
conferred 1t on one 10 whom it was who'll.
~ unexpected. The sterling merit and
substantial services ofthe candidate were
however speedily called to mind-,hc
hesitation inspired for an instant by an
abrupt proceeding was dispelcd-,he
ranks OF his party became serricd and
MIR. Polk, after on unusually animated
canvass between himself and Mr.. CLAY,
wCs elected.
The powers confdcd by the constitution
OF the United States to the incumbent Of
the Presidential office are large and innu-
ential. The manner in which they arc
exercised never has failed, and never can
fail, greatly 10 affect, for good or for evil,
the contentment and interests of the pco.
pie, or the reputation and resources Of the
nation. Hence the immens,y OF the trust;
and hence the vast reward Of gratitude
and rcnown bestowed on him who, at the
end OF his term Of service, is discovered
10 have SO used his public functions rs TO
leave his country tranquil, prosperous,
honored, and strong. This is, in fact,
the only standard which the ardor Of our
political controversies suffers 10 remain
unqucslionable. Governed by this stand.
ard, fellowcilizens, and casting u rapid
thought upon the condition Of America,
tell me whether the scpulchrc oflhc late
President should no, be hallowcd by your
reverence and affection.
The glory Of every administration con
ccntratcs upon lis chief. He i, is, and
he only, that the elective franchise has
lifted from the common level 10 the Fix.
ectlvc-lo carry with him into govern
mcnt The authority he has derived by that
process, accompanied by the Instructions,
wishes, and principles Of his constituents;
to viviiy, supervise, check, control; to be
d'sgraccd by failures, and to wear the
Iaurcls Of success. Aided as he ncccs
sarily must be by associates and agents Of
his own selection. the lustrc Of tn, ir limi.
ted dsphcrcs combines for the ctlulgcnce of
his bonndlcss one; and brilliant as the
subordinate executions Of duty may be
everything is so consitulionally and cs.
scntially dependent upon the offspring Of
the popular suffrage, and his truth 10 his
mission, TINT he rghtfully bears the palm
achieved by united excellence. The
American people will hereafter rank
among the most effective achievements Of
the late President, the discrimination with
which he chose, and the wisdom with
which he impcllcd, the variousIy gifted
counscllcrs Of the Cabinet. * j. -
The admission Of Texas as State of
the Union, upon her acceptance Of Ger.
tain terms, had been provided for bv IL
JOINT resolutions of Congress, passed bu,
three days before he took the oath of Of.
flee; and nothing was left to be done bu,
to expedite the proceeding, so as to fore.
stall the perplcXi,ics which might spring
from foreign inlcrmcddling; and TO make
such military arrangements as would
protect our new frontier from nrouds.-
These duties were promptly and sklfully
discharged. The people Of Texas held
Il convention, rcmodclcd their consti,u.
ton, submitted it to the inspection Of Con.
grcss, and became, by law, an integral
part of our confcdcracy before the year
elapsed.
should deem it ill-timcd and mspla.
ccd to trace tho causes, or to vindica,c
The right and the cxpcdicncy of this cxtcn.
sion OF our Republic. Perhaps dclca,
OF the Democratic party at the election in
the OF 1914 would have discouraged and
thwarted that movement. Their success
on The contrary, proved how fixed hold
it had upon the popular judgement; and
recommended it TO more Legislative favor
than it before enjoyed. Certain ii is, tha,
the Incorporation took place only after the
will Of the American people, and the
sense OF the American Congress, had been
tested aud recorded ngrccaby to the forms
of the American Constitution: and that
every national tunc,ionary, especially the
President who cmDhaticnllv ush>U t,Ec