Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-03-02
THE FOURTH OF MARCH. 1s49


Before we again enjoy the privilege of ad-
dressing our readers, the administration OF
JAMES K. Polk will be closed-the present
Executive will have resumed, in retirement,
the duties of private citizen. His name may
indeed, be long familiar sound,-(for what
name, associated with events so startling and
important, is not immortal ')-but it will be-
come, henceforward, thing of The Past-to
be lauded, or to be censured, as shall be de-
creed by Posterity. Towards that august tri-
bunal, Mr.. Polk is now approaching! If the
policy he has thought proper to pursue, in
administering the government, has been un-
productive of benefit TO the country~-if, during
the last four years, in consequence of the
measures he has recommended, our happiness
at home, or our public character abroad has in
any degree suffered, If there has been any vio-
lation by him, of the public faith, or the pub
lie liberty ;-if through his instrumentality,
the destiny or the progress of this republic,
has been suddenly arrested,-there needs no
Pythia to prophesy his fate.-Not all the intel
Iect of Webster, the genius of Calhoun, or the
eloquence of Hannegan, can influence or avert
II! Should it be found, however, on an i'm
partial survey of his whole administration,
that, due allowance being always made for
the infrmties of human reason, he has con-
trlbuted by his counsels to our advancement
and prosperity that, in times pregnant with
political mischief and evil, with firm hand
and happy skill. he has guided the ship of
State unframed, through all dangers, and eve
~ emergency, the sneerng partizan may de-
cry and undervalue his public servlces-inso-
lent mediocrity may question his intelligence
and capacity, but the unerring finger of Truth
will point TO the fourth day OF this month as
the closing scene OF the most brilliant chapter
in our history.
in the estimation of the great Grecian law.
giver, that man was only happy, whom Pro-
violence blessed with success 10 the last. Il is
possible, that in the few days which remain
of his term, Mr. Polk may commit some er.
ror, but it must be deep indeed, and irrepara-
Bile, that will dim the lustre of his career, or
make the American people forget the benefits
and the measures of his administration A.
mong them may be reckoned more prominent
ly the following: /. The Oregon boundary
treaty, definitely marking the claims of Eng
land upon this continent for the first time since
our independence. 2. Treaties of commerce
with New Grenada, Peru, the Two Sicilies,
Belgium, Hanover, Oldenburg, Mecklenburg
Schweri1, Saxony and Nassau, opening the
way to an extension of our commerce with in.
terror Germany; and the postal treaty. with
Great Britain. 8. The Mexican treaty. bv
which California and New Mexico are acquir.
ed. A. The admission of four new States
Texas, Florida, Iowa, and Wisconsin-intc
the Union, and the erection of Oregon into q
territory. 5. The abandonment of the pro-
tective principle" which has haunted our Tar
III laws for thirty years, and the establishment
OF the revenue od Ualorem principle, by which
the credit OF the country has been restored
and the revenue, which had been deficient
from 1887 to 1S45, raised to the current ex.
pendlture. s. The establishment of a ware.
house system, of nature similar to that which
IN England has drawn the carrying trade Of
the world into British vessels, and by which
renewed impulse is given to those causes If.
ieslsh0ly in operation to draw Canada peace.
1U'y mo the Union. Z. The separation oil
Oa"A and State, and the establishment and
successful operation of the constitutional trea.
su'y' .. The commencement of ocean steam
naTsa'l0n 10 Bremen and California 9. The
establishment of cheap postage
These measures viii speak for tbems.lv..