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

hedft yet am bold to say, with a fuii sense ofhe
responsibility of the declaration, that the annals of
history may be searched in vain for an exam
pie of war more just in its inception, vigorous
inits prosecution, and glorious in its termination.
Prejudice and pride of opinion do not always per
NIT to be just, mach less readily to admit con-
clusons even when convinced, which make against
our sef-esteem; but when the passions of the
hour to which this conflict gave rise shall have
died away posterity looking back to the events OF
our times, through the sobered and melowed lights
of the past wiwonder the delusion which dictated
such tanatlcal opposition. From its commencement
to Its conclusion, from the first blast of the bugle at
Palo Alto, which sounded the onset to arms-to the
unfuring starry banner upon the halls of the
Montezumas--Hota a false step was made-not re-
verse encountered. Every where, from the fertile
valley of the Rio Grande the golden shores of the
Pacifc-fron Vera Cruz to the capital-our invinei-
BILE banner doomed up in the fght-f'not star be-
dImed In its aZnrefeid, single stripe obscuFed.
When tits remembered too that thewar found who'll
unprepared; that our army had to be raised equip
ped, and sent distant field of operations much
OF the nGeei for its prosecution had yet to be cre-
ated the long lines of neatlon to be kept up,
and lastly unvaried and uninterrupted success
In thirty pitched battles over AN enemy superior in
numbers and position, the result is almost without
a parallel in the history of the world: r--s
Had the war resulted merely in the punishment of
proud and pusillanmous neighbor, for numberless
insults to flag then would its objects have been
accomplished and the national honor amply vindca-
ted But it attended with consequences far high
happier LIdn LneSe. IL developed In an eAtTd-
ordinary degree military resources and the mar
tial character and energies of people, 1t enlarg-
ed the bounds of the Republic, and gave en-
pire equal in extent to the original thirteen States 1t
has impaired civilization to Mexico: 1t has elevated
the national character abroad and secured against
future aggressions upon our rights. Nay, more. 1t
awakened spirit of inquiry among the down-trodden
masses of other lands, aroused their dormant ener-
ges into actonand sent the ball. revolution bound
ing across the plains of Europe. Her sovereigns,
startled by the sound looked with straining eyes far
over the wide Atlantic and heheld with rising jea-
ousy the onward march of the model Republic of the
II orth to honor and renown-they gaZed in silent
wonder upon the moral sub!imity presented by the
brstling bayoncts of sixty thousand volunteer free
men. all animated by common impulse of patri-
otism, marching merrily to the fight, and descend
ing like reapers to the harvest of DEATH
But if the war was glorious, how much of the crc-
dit is due to him whose giant guided the helm
of State that perious period, noted with swelling
pride every and sent the message OF hope
and consolation the heart Of the dropping soldier,
in distant climel Never the darkest hour of day,
did he fater in his purpose of accomplishing the OBJ
ject of the war. Never, when an iniuriated oppos-
ton assailed him at every point-when the halls OF
Congress rang with lmpasSloned defamation against
the Justice of the war, and when the proposition was
boldly and unblushingly made to withdraw our gal
liant army from the scenes of its toll and bloodshed
with arms reversed and banners trailing IN the dust
never did his frmness forsake him. His great and
patriotic heart turned with ineable from sug
people, and the stout hearts and strong arms of those
who sustain their country honor in the honr of per-
il, gathered around its flag, and cheered him in his
onward career.
The campaign in Mexico, in the brilliant and star
Ting nature of its results, finds its parallel only in
that of the young Napoleon in Italy. Nor are the
authors and chief actors of the respective theatres
altogether unlike. Both men of bold and strik-
ing characteristics. Both were endowed with pro-
digious energy of character, and uncommon person
al sagacity. Mr.. Polk was in the cabinet what Ma
poleon was in the camp-hold, yet cautious and wary
laying his plans with the utmost GOODNESS and COM
posure tracing all the details to their remOtest con-
sequences awaiting calmly the propitious period, and
when arrived, striking home with such fearful and
terrible energy to disarm his opponents by the
very snddenness Of the attack. Both possessed an
almost lntutive knowledge of men. Napoleon rails
ed his officers from the ranks, and conferred upon
them the Marshal's baton, when they had won it by
their skill and personal prowess Mr.. Polk selected
MS CIVIL agents from among those who had won their
way to prominence and position, by their force of
character, talents, and moral worth; and it is
small compliment to his sagacitv, that of the two
thousand officers whom he sent TO Mexico during the
period of the war, half of whom the crea-
lures OF his appointments, one ever dishonored
his countrys flag, proved recreant in the hour of
peril Both were the authors and finishcrs of their
own1fortune-both fill a premature grave. But while
the characteristics of the two in many respects
similar, In others they totally dissiGiar. Mr..
Polk was entirely free from that unscrupulous ambi
ton and that great codness and selshness of heart
which marked the career of Bonaparte. All his pur-
poses were pure, patriotic and noble; all the " ends
he aimed at'' were his ''conntrys Gods and truths.
And more-his great heart embraced within its COM
prehensive beuevolence, the interests of universal
humanity.
But the events of his great administration are
ended, and he retres to the bosom of his beloved
Tennessee. The people rise up in to do him
homage he passed, and his homeward journey is
like that of the conqneror marching the path
way to power, than that of plain citizen of the Re
public, divested of the patronage of Office retiring
the walks of private life. 1t was the grateful tri
butte paid by the national heart, to purity and nteg
rity of purpose. <- .a.@
But the hand of death is upon him Around his
bedside gathered the devoted family circle-his
faithful domestics, his aged mother and she who had
shared the fortunes and vicissitudes of his evenu
ife-smoothed his rugged path way to renown, and
shed exquisite genteness and grace around the
to the last. Not murnur, not regret escapes
him; but calmly and serenely the great man dies,
like one who had fallen asleep! What am impress
sive commentary is here presented upon the empti-
ness of all human ambition-the vanity of adj human
pride-and how strikingy illustrated the truth that
The path of glory leads but to the grave. ," &
Quis desiderio sit pudor aut Inodus 4 =
Tam chari capitis4 =. = .,.f e-ss...a- Is i.s,e
Cu pudor ct JustitiR soror .. a..
Incorrupta fdes-nudaque Veritas!
Quando ullum iveniet parem! ~ s5'
Mothers! If you would teach yonr the true
pathway to honor and useful nessif you would learn
them lessons of humility and deep flial devotion,
point them to the example of James K. Polk. His
honor was never impeached, his integrity never ques
toned. He was most unpretending citizen; he was
a most dutful son. &c Mother, have obeyed you In
all hngs--were among the last words OF the dying
Ex- President. Cherish his memory. 4s 7i lssr :.
Soldiers! He gave to the profession of arms what