The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-09-27
AN EssAY.
Our Lamented President Polk, by Miss
Ella Pritchett, Alliance No. 2,IoS.

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Ella Pritchett, Alliance No. 2,Io8.
president Z. L. Polk was one of the
greatest. grandest and best men OF
modern times; a man who held b
first place in more hearts among the
and laborers of America than
.anv other man of his day. The
Thoughts and words that r addressed
to the memory Of this great leader
must ever be of the highest praise and
most profound respect and reverence;
I feel that / may write for days ana
months and use all the words that
have control of and then say the halt
has not yet been told. He was the
friend and champion Of the poor ana
oppressed, and his sympathy always
went out freely for those In trouble
and distress. His oratory was or the
highest rank and enabled him to make
the most touching impressions on his
denraptured hearers in his God inspired
appeals for truth and justice. l heard
a ma saw that Col. Polk was the only
man that ever made him shed tears.
Col. Polk had a heart big enough to
love the world, and of too fine a tex
ture to ever admit an impure motive.
He was devoted to his country and
fellow-man, and would look to their in
terest sooner than his own. He was
not a worshipper of the rich dixie we
meet so often) no, he was too noble for
that. He was not content with doing
a little kind act, but climbed for the
top. For no other man In the nation
would so many tears have been shed,
and viii be shed, as for u dear de-
parted brother. President Polk had
more friends who loved him, more peo-
pie who trusted him, more citizens who
Ionged to crown his brow with a presi-
Dental coronet, than all the wealth
that Wall street could buy. The politi-
cal bosses tried their very best to SLAM
der him, but all will work out right to
the end to those who do right. Oh!
how we miss his golden words that we
used to read in our papers. Words
that thrilled our hearts with love for
him, and our fellow-man, who has to
undergo the hardships of this polluted
country of u
IF there ever was a period in the
worlds history when men ought to
think, talk and act to the point, it is
right now. Let is work to-day for we
will meet it never more.
We learn that President Polk never
saw the day when he would not drop
the most important private concern to
serve the people In any capacity. He
had a heart full of sympathy with the
disorganized and helpless. He was a
pure Christian and a good leader in the
church to which he belonged. A proper
conception of responsibility to God, of
duty to himself and fellow-man are our
essentials to a great leader, and Col.
Polk possessed them all in the highest
degree. He left behind him a pure
model, something better than all of the
wealth of this world. Yea it is not
bought with money, but with good,
noble Christian works. / wish all of
the good old Farmers Alliance would
pause and reflect and remember that
the highest tribute they a pay to
his memory is to emulate his virtues
by lifting their hearts to God In prayer
with the firm resolve that hereafter
each will lead a better and purer life.
May God deal nlercifully with the mil
lions of people who mourn the loss of
an able leader, a fearless defender and
as noble a man al yer breathed earthly
air. Our pen and tongue cannot give
even a faint idea of how the Farmers
Alliance will feel his loss. The loss
seems irreparable to us In his last
public speech rang from his energetic
voice, "do your duty" May we all
be nor and more for doing our duty
each day we live, and at last when the
summons is given may we be ready to
meet our dear departed leader above,
is the prayer of the writer.
"a noble man is missing from the front ranks in
the fight
A voice is hushed which lever spoke except for
truth and right.
His valiant form no more shall lead our forces
to the fray;
His forceful face in slumber sleeps, our chief
has passed away.
Yet while we mourn as mortal must for him we
loved to greet,
Well face the work he left to do, and trust
again to meet.
He lives though lost to mortal's sight; he acts
though naught we see;
He still inspires the gathering hosts ne helps to
make men free"
THE PTTRT TT Dit CT