The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-06-22

MIR. Polk.
We had reserved for ourselves the melancholy duty of
preparing succinc sketch of the life of the late ex
President, whose unexpected and untmey decease the
nation now mourns but we have been anticipated in
part in the task which hal appropriated to ourselves
by the following full and authentic sketch which we
find in the Pennsyuanian, and which take pleasure
in transferring to columns. This admirable sketch
brings the life of Mr. Polk down to the commencement
of his administration in March, 1915 We reserve to
ourselves the melancholy Office Of skechng the event
full and glorious Of that administration which
but few days ago conscientiously pronounced to
be the brilliant which has graced our annals We
have had full opportunity of studying the whole char
acter OF James K Polk. We have seen him nearly every
day for four years, amid all tha cares of oice-when
aboriousy engaged in considering and concocng those
great measures which have excited the establishment
and admiration OF the word-and we do not hesitate to
pronounce him of the abes statesmen, if not the
abest, whom have known. He had all the ele-
ments Of great statesman Hehad that strong Common
Sense which approaches its high object calmly and compre
hensvey, regards in all its lights and its reno
consequences in the germ itself He took his course
according TO the democratic principles with which he had
long been deeply mbued. and fixed his eye upon the
tain 'nobe ends by noble means" Having made up
his decision, he had the mness to adhere to his meas
The camors of the opposition in or out of Con-
gress, and the thunders of the press, and their
persuasons and remonstances, could not shake him from
his purpose No man governed him. On the contrary
such the clearness of his views and such the firm.
ness OF bis character as he went steadily in the
path which he had marked out for HIMSELF that even his
anxious and doubling friends frequently inspired
with new energy, and confessed the superiority OF his
judgment Along with these elements of real civic great.
ness, Mr. Polk combined another of the high and rares
qualities of statesmanthat magnanimity of character
which fogets wrongs, and does justice to an enc
my We have MIR. Polk led in various situations ;
but amid all the BOOKINGS OF the battlenentsand all the
storms of partyamdst the various questions which he
had to meet, or in greater both in interest
and variety than has probably occurred to any other
President, he lost that clearness of spirit and
|equanmiy of temper which the occasion required Ii
was thys that he communicated confidence his friends
commanded frequently the respect of his enemies and
confirmed the proprety of his by the bancy Of
his success. We have uniformly expressed these opn-
ions of Mr. Folks abilities, and of the value of his al.
minisration; and occasion to withhold them
now that this distinguished is more, when our
motives cannot be assailed,
'FIaery soohe the duh, cold ear of death"
Would that his precious life could have been spared
longer TO his country. Would that he could have had
more extended opportunity of enjoying the
of the past and the gratitude of the people And above
ALL would that the cherished partner of his BOSOM who
had been bound to him for so many years--who had
shared all his fortunes and all his sympathes
superior mind had enabled her to assist his own iudp
men, and to throw such tender and exquisite grace
around the Office to which he had been elevated by The
voice OF his country could have been spared the nexpres
sibe pain of this early ated separation But we must not
murmur against the dispensatons OF Provdence and re-
gion will descend, with healing on its wings to soohe
the of the friends whom he has left behind him.
The public voice is already expressing the sincere re
spec which is felt for his memory. Public honors will
be awarded to the deceased patriot President and orators
will not be wanting to do full justice to his merits and
among them those who were personally and best ac
quainted with him-who intimately understood his whole
character, and the whole scope of his glorious admins
tration.
Biographical Sketch