New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-27
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ABOUT PRESIDENT POLK.

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ABOUT PRESIDENT fOLk
TO the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: In the discussion OF " The TwoThirds Rule"
In this mornings Tribune there is careless express
sion which may tend TO confirm popular error con-
corning one Of the prominent names in American
history. 1t may be trne that the Objectionable RUE
gave the country Polk in 1s44 and Pierce I'm 1872"
but II Is true that they were both obscure ana
feeble noncntlties." They by no means a pair.
Whatever may be said OF Franklin Pierce for or
against him. Il very different estimate was fairly
earned by James X. Polk The popular notion con
corning him is pretty distinctly tiaceablc TO the repe
ton OF Whig campaign phrases by careless biographies
OF Wig statesmen like Henry Clay. one OF these,
notably, IS Mr.. Carl Schurz, who hOucltless permits
himself to inquire. with fppant Wing editors: % VINO
is James X Polk ?" The reply to that question seems
TO deserve giving. He WAS man whose service as
Member of Congress began In 1925 and ended In
1888 In the fercely contested struggle between
President Andrew Jackson and the United states Bank
Mr. Polk was Old lIickorys most trusted and capable
lieutenant In the House Of Representatives, Thomas
ii. Burton WAS in the Senate. Mr.. Polk 50 distln-
guished himself parliamentary leader that he was
made chairman Of the Committee of Ways and Means
and then was, twice I'm succession, elected Speaker.
He left his Congressional career IN 1888, 10 become
Governor OF Tennessee. a brief interval Of private
life, but not OF political inactivity followed his term
Governor During all this time he had so thorough
ly identified himself with the extreme Democratic
its exponent and representative. For this reason.
more than for any other he was made the candidate
of his party in 1874 and elected President that
lie might carry out in practice the fundamental doe
trlnes he long had advocated. In common with
many eminent American statesmen, not excluding
from the list either Daniel Webster John Quincy
Adams. Mr.. Polk refused TO acknowledge that spain.
after her, as heir OF her territory, Mexico, had
ever at any time, right to the region north OF the
Rio Grande. II is the custom to- DENY that there
were ever two sides to that question. but the view
taken by anne XatiOnistS found many able advocates
However ursts historians decide the questions
involved, Of law record, the consequences OF the
popular decision 1S44 in favor Of Mr.. Polk have
been tremendous, and have made his election and
Administration forever memorable. second In I'm
portance TO other In annals. without that cleo
ton, should have no Pacific Coast south Of
the oregon line, Gulf Coast north Of the sabine Pass
an exceedingly narrowed interior silver question
in politics, nor any gold crop to speak Of. We should
be Atlantic Coast republic.
That there grave causes for criticism Of Prcs
dent Folks Administration may be admitted without
describing IL feeble. 1t not and partisan
feeling may well be put aside. even by born Wing
and AbOtonist Ike myself. In reviewing historical
facts.
As TO the present criticism. would II hs day be
proper 10 describe any living American politician ne
"obscure" II, during Congress after Congress- he had
IL TO other debater parlamcnlai1An OF his own
party If he lad been the trusted adviser and riSht
hand OF Il President during two Presidential terms
II he had been chairman Of the Ways and Means Com
mittce. and twice speaker of the House, ana Then
Governor Of state And II thea the dominant party,
recognizing his ability and leadership. shouli elect
him It's candidate and make him President would
be well 10 set up history, or biography. or u I'M
press upon the popular mind. the idea that such a
career l., I'm tli, country. At all compatible with %
scuiity and fccbleless! II II l.. what general mess
of weakness have been the several Congress- in
Andrew .JackSOns time, Including himself. and what
peculiar people must We be now
WILLIAM o. sTODDARD.
NeW-York June TO- 1899.