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XV.
VoLUME
TffB Ar0RTH CAROLINA STANPARI-j
WILLIAM W. HOLDEN,;
EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
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Letters to the Editor must come free of postage. "
EULOGY
On the Life and Character of James K. Polk, de
livered in Tarboroujfh, on the 21th July, 1849 :
By WIXXIAM F. DANCY, Esq. ,
Solemn indeed, my audience, is the service we have
assembled to perform. James K. Polk, towards whose
dying coach a million American eyes were but yes
terday turned with painful anxiety, has gone down to
lhe grave. The Providence which bestowed him
nnonVis country has called him away." His -great
soul, freed from its prison-house of clay, has ascen-
Jed to tne ioa wnogave 11-nis oody mingles with
ts kindred dust. He who but yesterday stood upon
the heights of power clothed with all the insignia of
authority, and watching with eagle-eye the vast in
terests of this great Republic, has passed forever from
our midst. That eye 13 extinguished in the darkness
of death the trappings of office have given place to
the habiliments of. mourning: the laurel is -entwined
with the cypress the sceptre ha3 been exchanged
tor the shroud. While the nation , bows .its head in
mourning, and like a stricken mother-weeps in an
guish over her child, we, the humblest of his friends
and admirers, have gathered around his grave to-day.
to pay me last muuie ui iiuwuun luiuss uienjory,ana
to bedew his ashes with our tears. And it is meet
that we should do so. It is meet that we pay hon
ors to the memory of those who have been distinguish
ed in life by good and great deeds, or who have won
for themselves a name among men; for while it
hurts not the dead, who are insensible to the offering,
it exercises a hallowed influence on the heart. It chas
tens tin? affections, purifies them of the drossof time
and sense, and assimilates our natures to that spirit
which rules beyond the sky. Now, for the ninth
time, is the nation called upon to assemble "around the
grave of one of those whom it has honored, with-the
highest office in its gift. Washington, Jefferson,
Madison and Monroe, sleep beneath the sacred soil of
Virginia. Massachusetts guards with pious care, the
remains of the illustrious representatives of the Ad
ams iUmily. Harrison lies cjuietiy entombed upon
the banks of his own beautiful Ohio ; and Tennessee,
daughter of our own modest mother, claims the hon
oredaashes of Jackson and Polk. '
Were the subject of my remarks one who had
simply ruled the Republic and then descended to the
iraiv, a decent observance of his daath would be be
c omiji and proper. But James K. Polk had far high
er claims upon our gratitude and admiration. He
was in every sense of the term, a great man great
in word, thought and deed and greater still -in the
goodness of an unsullied heart -great in the- vast
nessand comprehensiveness of bis plans great in
the ghry and success of their accomplishment. Call
ed suddenly by the people fromr'that retirement he
had voluntarily sought, and clothed with the highest
powers in their gilt, we find him equal to every emer
gency in which he was placed. Heat once took his
position in the front rank of American statesmen.
The youngest in years- of those who had preceded
him in the pathway to power, he guided the ship -of
State with the skill and ability of a veteran. Falling,
33 his administration did, upon the most eventful era
which has yet mirked the career of lhe Republic
with delicate qaestions of foreign and domestic poll
er distracting our councils, he never, for a moment;
filtered or hesitated in his .course. His-great mind
toss with the crisis and adapted itself to the circum
stances by which it was surrounded. He was indeed
" the very age and body of his .time; its form and
pressure" the living image and representative of the
great American heart. Such men may die, but their
deeds are immortal ! - His great measures are stamp
ed in ineffaceable characters upon-his country's his
tory, and though his noble heart has ceased to beat,
and his manly form has faded from the sight of men,
his name is linked with thV most distant future ; and
posterity, looking bacfc tnrougn meuinr mists 01 ine
past, will wonder then learn and JoveJ .
To North Carolina belongs the proud honor of giv
ing birth to James K. Polk. On her remote frontier,
in the county ot Mecklenburg, amid the scenes of the
ever-memorable 20th Mayand on the very birth-spot
ot American independence, his infant eye first saw
the-light. Her hills witnessed his childish sports and j
pastimes her .values ung out wiui uie merry peai
of his boyish laugh i-and here top at the very foun
tain of freedomrhe imbibed his first lessons of patri
otic duty antTdevotion, as he hung with boyistj rap
tore upon the eloquent lips of the living actors iri
those scenes. - ' '
The family was Irish, and-came to America in the
early part of the 18th century. America owes an 1m-
.J . 1 . . . . -. 1" T i l II !!
perishable debtot gratituae toirejana. iierre-vivi-fied
spirit pervades the whole Republic. Irish genius
and eloquence flashr up from "every hamlet and hill
side in the land. Many of the most distinguished
names of our country are proud -to trace their origin
tJ the " Emerald Isle." Calhoun, Jackson, Polk,
and Gaston of our own State are familiar illustrations
of the fact. It would seem that Providence had cho
sen this free Republic for the reproduction on a new
theatre of that Irish energy and talent kept down by
organized oppression at home. ... , .
The year 1806 finds the stripling boy of eleven
threading the forest wilds of the boundless West,
whitherhis father bad gone, one of the earliest pio
neers of civilization, in that portion of the young and
growing State of Tennesnee. Here, in the bosom of
a lequestered valley, far up one of the tributaries of
the tortuous Tennessee, and amid the privations" of
the wilderness, the budding boy expands into the full
blossom of young manhood; and here loo were devel
oped those hardy" virtues of bis character, which dis
tinguished him on the stormy theatre upon which he
afterwards played his part. ''K ' '' ,
Time will not permit the delay of a minute detail
his early history. His father, we are toldj design
him for a merchant; and with that view,-placed him
in a mercantile establishment. ' ' What Strange desti
nes control our. lives I- And how often are oar best
aPpointed aims thwarted by the decrees of fickle for
tune! " There t a divinity which shapes our ends
Qgh-hew them as we may." :The genjus of young
Polk chafed like a caged tiger, beneath an' employ
ment so uncongenial to- his feelings, and incompati
Me with his taste. His great spirit panted for a more
aaiple and enlarged theatre for theTexereis of its pow-
fs- The predilections of the parent finally gave way
oefore the ardent wishes of tho son, arid he enters a
classical school preparatory ta college course,'
The fall of 1815 finds' h(m a student of 'our
University. His career. here was .brilliant, Each
Pi-annual examination witnesses, the triumph -of
jj geniua, and xhc close of bis college coarse crowns
with tbe highest" honors of: bis class; " Jq i the
field of nfAlltiiaL conflict he trod the undispui -
Victor! Twas here too he laid the foundation of 1
th8e habits of industry, perseverance and indomitable
energy, which distinguished him; throughout his sub
Jqoent career ; habits vhich.lii "the absence. of more
Pliant qualities, often enable their possessor to attain
See Append I tnW a
RALEtH,"
the highest posts of honor and preferment, while the
man of genius is left far behind in the race.
;. Retaining again to. Tennessee, with his " constitu
tion greatly impaired by excessive application at the
University, he commenced the study of law in tbe
uuice 01 me late reiix Urtmdy. At the bar he rose
rapidly to distinction. " ' , "
-; In 1823 he entered tipon thestormv career of fori-
ti.es, being elected to represent his county in th State
xjegiBiaiure. tie was - again elected . a- second time,
and by his talent: and devotion to" his duties." rave
unerring promise of those great abilities he was des-
unea 10 display on a higher theatre'. '
Iri 1825, being in the 30th;year of his age, in the
full and rich maturity of all hisjpdwyrs, both physical
and mental, he Was elected to represent his district
in the Congress of the United States. He: brought
with him into public life those fundamental principles
of political -action to Which he adhered through good
and evil report," and through every mutation of party.
From his early youth he was' a republican of the
straitest sect." He" regarded the Constitution, .of
tne united estates as. an instrument of specific and
.strictly delegated -powers, and this forme'd jhe ground
work of his political faith.- In a word,, he was op
posed to the assumption and exercise of all (Toubtful
powers, or a loose and latitudinous construction of
that instrument: -
Mr. Polk was elected to Congress for seven con
secutive terms, and served" uninterruptedly for four
teen years. - . -
It was Mr. Polks fortune to be in' public life ata"
most, eventfiil period of our history.' The times were
well calculated to develop the powers and quicken
the energies of lhe politician. The very atmosphere
Was rite with great events. It was .the end of the
old and the beginning of tHe. new order of things.
The younger'Adanjs had fallen back before the dis
pleasure of the popular power, and the lion-hearted
Jackson had risen triumphantly upon the shoulders
of the people. Mr. Polk was the warm, ardent, and
enthusiastic admirer of Jackson, and never did man
manifest his faith by more able or devoted service.
Nor was that service unappreciated." The man of
"iron will " reposed confidence in his friend, and
leaned his great arm trustingly upon him. Hi3 abil
ity in debate, energy, and great-1 business capacity,
soon attracted the. attention of the House; and he
was, by the common consent of -his party; assigned
to the position of Chajrman of -the Committee of
Ways and Means the most important committee of
that body, r rom the. nature ot its duties,this com
mittee is always the organ of the Administration in
the HouSe. Under its supervision have to pass all
.estimates for the public service-contiprehending every
qucstidn of finance. , To attack it, then, is to attack
and embarrass the Administration through it.
At no period of his course does Mr. Polk occupy a
more commanding attitude. The Premier of England
holds not a position more prood than this. At the
head of the Committee of. Ways and Means, in the
full and vigorous maturity of all his faculties, the
acknowledged organ and leader of the Administration,
and possrssing'lts fullest confidence the friend and
admirer from principle of the illustrious Jackson, and
loved and trusted by him' in return, he stands before
psas the master spirit and embodiment of his party ;
and like Saul among his bFelhren, looms " a head and
shoulders above them all." "'Twas at this period, too,
and in the bitter school of scandal and personal vitu
peration which ma'rked the hour, that Mr. Polk learn
ed those lessons. of calm, firm, and determined self
possession and reliance nnder .the most trying cir
cumstances, which made him impregnable as a leader,
and prepared him for the stir-ring scenes of his own
alter ana eventiui Aumini&iraiion.
Gen. Jackson came' ;nto power the bold, decided,
and. unequivocal enemy of the United States Bank.
In his first annual. message-to Congress, he announc
ed it to the assembled representatives of the peoplp,
and declared" -that under no circumstances, could a
bill for its re-charter receive his constitutional sanc
tion. The charter had five years yet to 'run. In
September, 1833, indignant at the unblushing corrupt
tions practised by tbe Bank, he determined upon the
salutary measure of removing the public money from
its custody.' A measure so summary.and so bold,
produced the most profound sensation throughout the
country: and then commenced a scene of turbulence
and political violence without a parallel in our previousl
history,. and wnicn nas Deen ntiy siyieu in me pip
ica! parlance of the day, the i Panic Period. The Bank
boldly took" the field, and strove to wring a charter
and the restoration- of its tleposites from the agonizing
cries of.a suffering people., Bnt lixtle did itdrearti
of what stern stuff he was made, who stood at the
helm of State. The man who had faced the conque-
mra of Xanoleon on the. plains of New Orleans, and 4
" showed himself in a sheet of fire " in the thickest
of the fray, Was not to be turned aside from his pur
pose by the senseless ravings of political gamblers
and stockjobbers".
In anticipation of the dread sentence that had been
pronounced against it, the Bank had stretdied its ac
commodations to the utmost tension. The country
was flooded with fictitious wealth in'lhe sttape of bank
promises'to pay. Now the opposite policy was pur
sued. The marble mother at the centre gives theTr
der, and forthwith its numerous branches, stretching
like the arms of the fabled Bnareus into every State
in the UnionanswSr back the appeal. A rapid conr
traction of the circulating medium commences. .From
a period of great apparent-prosperity, distress and
dismay overshadow the land. Property fell enor
mously in value, and man lost confidence in his fel
low mart. Nearer and still nearer did the Bank ap
proach its intended victim. Steadily and yet more
steadily did it contract the coil of its circulation, when
by one spasmodic effort it sove like a huge serpent
to crush the commerce of the country in its sinuous
folds.' A universal cry of .wailing yvent up from the
land. Man stared at h's fellow man with wild afr
fright, and universal bankruptcy- seemed inevitable.
It was'the struggle of death the last effort, of expir
inr vitality. - Deputation afierdeputation waited up
onGenl. Jackson, and besought him to restore" the
deposites. The stoutest hearts gave way the stern
est resolutions were shaken. Consternation seized
upon the Republican ranks, and the timid of his own
party friends faltered and fell back But calmly and
serenely, the old man stood amid the raging elements
around him :
'Like some tall cliff that lifts its awful form,
Swells from the valo and midway leaves the storuir
Though rpund'its breast the" rolling clouds are spread,
Eternal sunshine settles on its head."-" '
Nor prayer nor entreaty could shake his parpose
or change his determination.- His word was the fiat
of destiny. His -band of faithful frieods, like the
Old Guard of Napoleon, closed in firm and stern ar
ray around him, and shielded him from the raging
storm without. - - -m .
Amidst this scene of universal panic and alarm,
there was one who quivered not in the blast who
stood unmoved amid the storms of political adversity.
That man was James K. Polk. Nobly arid faithful
ly did he redeem the confidence reposed in him
ably and eloquently did he stand up-and battle for
the riht. While friends were falling round him and
treason lurked in every .bash, his manly -form like
the tall plume of Murat at the battle of Eylau was
every where seen in the thickest of the fight, encour
aging his. followers to stand firm and stemming. with
his giant arm the reversed tide of. battle :'.-,
"Amongjthe feitaless faithful;.
Among the innumerable false unmoved, unshaken, un-
'seduced, unterrified;
Nor number, nor example with hinT wrought to swerve
from Truth, - . "
Or change his constant, mindy though single.
, As Chairman of the Qommittee of Ways and Means,
and the acknowledged organ and leader of his party,
upon whom devolved the duty of rneeting. the power
ful array of talent and ability united in the opposition,
solitary and almost single handed,. and with an elo
quence and power rarely -equalled, did. the young
statesman of the west roll back the tide of panic, and;
alarm whieh threatened to ererwhelm.lhe . adouhls
tration. The timid took courage 4jr his bold example
NORTH CAROLINA, (W
the hesitating flung their doubts' fo the windsV TW
republican party, panic-stricken iy the novel and ex
citing Bcenes around them, now gathered up itscat
tered forces, closed -up ifs.columns in firm. array, and
the result was' a triumphant vote against, the Bank.
From the position of. Chairman of the Committee
of Ways and Means, Mr;' Polk was, at the session
of 1835, elevated to that of Speaker of the llousei the
third : .station in point of dignity in the Union . To
a native dignity and suavity of manners,-he added a
profound." knowledge of prliamentary law, and the
readiness' and promptitude in the decision of point's
of order, indispensable in a presiding officer. The
duties of Speaker were discharged by. hinivfor five,
sessions with rare ability, and at a time when party
excitement rose higher than at any former period Of
the government. - ' ' - V. . ;
After a service of fourteen years in" Congress, Mr.
Polkin 1839, declined a re-election from a district
which had so long.-sustain'edhim Reiiring from the
turmoil and. strife of an eventful public. career, he
sought repose ih the bosom of his family happy in
the society of troops of "warni and devoted friends,
and thrice happy in tbe proud consciousness of an
honest and faithful discharge of duty But.that re
pose so desirable, was destined to be of short dura
tion. He-was again cal.ied from retirement and plac
ed in the attitu.de of a candidate for Governor of his
adopted State, and after ah animated canvass was
elected overcoming heavy odds against him. He
filled the office of Governor for two.years, with dis
tinguished credit and ability.
We have now traced Mr. Polk through a period
of fifteen years of .laborious public service a period
pregnant with great events: and. marked by greater
acerbity of political feeling than any that had previ
ously existed First, the delicate and thoughtful school
boy' at Chapel Hill studious, sober" and discreet
punctual in the discharge of every duty, surpassing
all in the race for distinction, and wirininor the hio-h-
est honors in Tiis class ; 'then ihe trusted representa-J
nve 01 nis coumy in tne estate Legislature, winning
the regard of all by the suavity of his manners and
deep devotionto hi3 duties ;. then the honored repre
sentative uf his district in Congress, and hy his abil
ity in debate and. great business capacity, placing
himself in the front rank, of its leading members
Chairman of the-most important committee of the
House, and the chief prop and support of his party
at a most trying period ; then Speaker of the House
itself, and finally Governor of his adopted State. In
all these position's he was the same sleepless senti
nel upon the watch-tower, the same tireless watcher
of the public interests, the same faithful guardian of
the public trusts committed to his care. Nor is this
all. To the execution of these duties he brought an
ability rarely equalled, an energy never flagging, and
a sincerity of conviction and honesiy of purpose nev
er questioned.. Office he regarded as .a-sacred trust
to be exfircrsed for the benefit of those conferring it,
and not bestowed for the mere gratification of empty
pride, or vain and ostentatious display.
We have hitherto considered Mr. Polk, in a sphere
comparatively narrow and contracted, yetcxhibitinj
abundant evidence of capacity for the highest. We
come now to regard him as the Chief Magistrate of
the only free Republic on earth: " Faithful over a
few things," the public voice decided that he should
be' 44 ruler over many." No President has entered
upon the duties of the officeunder circumstances les3
aospiciou8--none with a greater number of complex
questions of solemn public import meeting him-at the
threshold. "Nonccver ascended the platform of pow
er with a deeper or more abiding sense of the .vast
responsibility of his -position none was ever atd-
matou by more elevated patriotism, or prorouna sa
gacity.. The youngest in years of those who had
preceded him, he felt the solemn nature of the trust
oommitted to htm, and summoned all the vast ener
gies of his mind and body for the trial. Like the
trusty warrior on the eve of' battle, he girded all his
ar,mor around him and awaited with calm composure
the coming conflict. " ,
The stiring events of his most remarkable admin
istration, are too fresh in the recollection-of my hear
ers to require extended comments A brief glance at
the' more prominent is all that the occasion demands,
or the hurried nature of this sketch will allow. To
history will belong the task of recording the giant
strides which the Republic made' to honor and re
nown during the period of his service how our arms
triumphed, and how the bounds of the Republic were
extended toow commerce flourished, and '.how new
impulses we're given to every branch of science and
the iseful arts.-
Thg system of policy which brought Mr. Polk into
power was boldly "and openly proclaimed, and after
a tremendous straggle triumphed. It is needless to
say, that it had his most unqualified approval. They
were the principles to which he had devoted the best
powers of his early manhood, strengthened by tbe
convictions of his riper years. They had grown with
his. growth and strengthened 'with his strength,
and never did honest public servant address himself,
more faithfully to -the task of carrying them out.
He called around him as constitutional advisers, men
eminent for wisdom, talent, and distinguished pub
lic service, toassist him" in the arduous and untried
duties of his new position. And more that cabinet
was a unit, and moved together as one harmonious
whole, - ' "
Not the least embarrassing of the many perplexing
question8.which met bim at the outset of his adminis
tration, was our unadjudicated clairn on Oregon.
This question, which had baffled the Diplomacy of
previous administrations, and been postponed from
time to time under an agreement of joint-occupancy
with England, now assumed a threatening aspect.
The migratory spirit of our hardy and' enterprising .
people, had studded the valleys of 'Oregon with a
teeming population. Looking back far over the' dep
sert wastes through which they had passed, and with
hearts full of affectionate loyality to the land of thefr
birth,sthey called npon-the. Government to terminate
the fatal union, and give them the protection of Amer
ican law. The appeal, struck a responsive cord in
the bosoms of the. masses. ' Without descending to
details it is sufficient to sny, that all previous nego
tiations between the two governments had been bas
ed'upon the principle-of compromise, and .in that
spirit thejjarallel . of 49 had been twice tendered by
us to the British government and twice refused.
This was the state of the question upon Mr. Polks
advent to power. " In deference to." the action of his
predecessors alone, he caused the same offer t6 be
again made, and it was. a tliird time refused. The
offer was then "withdrawn,-our title to the .whole
country asserted, and negotiations abruptly broken
off. The message of Mr. Polk, ; communicating these
facts to Congress, produced the-most profound wspn
sation throughout the land. It was his first annual
message, and the bold and manly tone it assumed
struck" upon the popular heart. War immediate
war, and war with the greatest power on earth
seemed inevitable. ' The pride of Great Britain, it
was said, 'would never permit her to yield a point
unon which her. honor was staked. But the result
nroved'far otherwise. , In ,a- short time negotiations
were renewed., and Great Britain made, us the iden-J
ticarofter'she had thrice refused with the addition
al and unlodked for concession of a: strip of territory,
lyin" north of the parallel, three times as large as ine
State of New York. This bold stroke of policy on,
the part of Mr. Polk,, resulted .in the full and ample
concession of all our demands ; and Jus firmness ex
torted from England that measure of justice which
had been long withhold and thrice-openly refused.'
i There is. no measure in the vast range of his varied:
duties and responsibilities as - President, -which ex
hibited in bolder relief the prodigious energies of hjif
character, or displayed in a "more eminent degree his
high administrative talent, man our recem connici
with Mexico. -j The policy and propriety of this war
haa T know been Questioned in-high quarters, and
its iuatness assailed,. Vtfith, a degree, of asperity rarely
eaualled and never. surpassed in this country..; .It has
........ . i . -- - - 1 1
stirred the deepest ana aarxesi passions m ine uumau
jSce appendix note b. "' ' -' v'-
SEPTEMBE R 6-s 1 849 i t
heart :-yet I -am bold to-'sa'yi' with full -sense 6f -the
Lreptiftbiiiry of the-declaration,: that" the' annals of
I . . 1 i j r
uibiory may..oe, searcnea. in. vain 1 iox-, an..eani
pie ot a. war more just its inception, vigorous
in?1 its prosecution,!'3md "glorious in its termination.
Prejudice and pride 'of Opinion do not always per-;
mit us to be just, mach .less raadiiy -to admrt con-,
elusions, even wheq convinced, which make against
ouf self-esteem"; ' but 'When the- passions 'of the
hour to" which this conflict' gave ".. rise shall have
died away, posterity' looking back Jo the events of
our. times, through-the sobered"' and mellowed lights
of the past, will, wonder at the delusion which "dictated
.such fanatical opposition. Fronilts commenceoient
to. its conclusion, from the fi'cst blast of the bugle at
Pala.Alto, which sownded,th"e onset to arms.-f4o the
unfurling pur . starry banner upon the ; halls , pf -the
Montezumas not.a.false step. ivas: made not a re
verse encountered. Every" where, .from the -fertile
valley of the Rio Grande to th&golden shores of. the
Pacific from Vera Cruz to the capital our invinci
ble banner gloomed up; in -the fight ."not a'star be-'
dimed in its azure-field' or-a single stripe obscured."
W hen it is reraenbered too that .thrrwar found ua whol
ly ..unprepared; that pur-army, had to be raised, equip
ped, and sent to a distant field of operations ; much
of the materiel for, its- prosecution had yet to be cre
ated, the long lines of communication to be kept up,
and lastly our unvaried and. uninterrupted success
in thirty pitched battles, overman enemy superior in
numbers and position,. the .result is ajlm'ost. without
a parallel in the history of theworld: ;
, Had the war resujted'merely in.the punishment of
a' proud and pusillanimous neighbbr,nfor numberless
insults to our flag, then would ks objects have been
accomplished and the national honor amply vindica
ted. But it was attended wth consequences far high
er and happier than these. It developed in an extra
ordinary degree our military resources and the mar
tial character and energies'of our people. It enlarg
ed the bounds of the Republic, and gave us an em
pire equal in extent to the original thirteen States. It
has imparted-civilization to Mexico- It has elevated
the national character abroad, and secured us against
fdture aggressions upon our rights. . Nay, more. It
awakened a spirit of inquiry among the down-trodden
masses of other lands, aroused their dormant ener
gies into actiorvand sent the ball-of revolution bound
ing across the plains of Europe. Her sovereigns,
startled hy the 6ound, looked with straining eyes far
over the wide Atlantic, and beheld with rising jeal
ousy the onward march of the model Republic of the
North to honor and renown they gazed in silent
wonder upon-the moral sublimity presented by the
bristling bayonets of sixty thousand volunteer free
men, all animated by one common impulse of patri
otism, marching merrily to the fight, and 44 descend
ing like'reapers to the'hnrvest ef death."
But if the w ar was glorious, how much of the cre
dit is due to him whose giant arm guided the helm
of State at that perilous period, noted with swelling
pride our every success, and sent the message of hope
and consolation Jo the heart of the drooping soldier,
in a distant clime ! Never at the darkest hour of day,
did he. falter in his purpose of accomplishing the ob
ject 01 the. war. ixever, when an inlunated opposi
tion assailed him at every point when the halls ofi
Cono-ress rano- with impassioned declamation against !
the justice of the war, and when the proposition was
boldly and" nnblushinffly made to withdraw our gal
lant army from the scenes of its toil and bloodshed,
with arms reversed and banners trailing in the dust
never did his firmness forsake him. His ereat and
patriotic heart turned with ineffable scorn from a sug
gestion so base. He boldly threw himself upon the.
people, and the stout hearts and strong arms or those
who sustain their country's 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
tling 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 were 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 Na
poleon was in the camp bold, yet cautious and wary
laying his plans with the utmost coolness and com
posure, tracing all the details to their remotest con
sequences, awaiting calmly the propitious period, and
when it arrived, striking home with such fearful and
terrible energy as to disarm his opponents by the
very suddenness of the attack". Both possessed an
almost intuitive knowledge of men. Napoleon rais
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
his 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 no
small compliment to his sagacity," that of the two
thousand officers whom he sent to Mexico during the
period of the war, one half of whom, were the crea
tures of his appointment pot one ever dishonored
his country's flag, or proved recreant in the hour of
peril. Both were the authors and finishers of their
dwrvfortune both fill a premature grave. But' while
the characteristics of the: two are in nTany respects
similar, in others they are totally dissimilar. Mr.
Polk was entirely free from that unscrupulous ambi
tion, and that great coldness" and selfishness of heart,
which marked the career of Bonaparte. - All his pur
poses were pure, patriotic and noble; all the 44 ends,
lie aimed at" were his "country's God's, and truth's."
And more his great heart embraced within its com
prehensive benevolence, the interests of universal
humanity. -
But the events of his. great administration are
ended, and he retires to the bosom of his beloved
Tennessee. The people rise up in mass to do him
homage as he passed, and his homeward journey is 1
more like that of the conqneror marching on the path
way to power, than that of a plain citizen of the Re
public, divested of the patronage of office, retiring
to the walks of private life. It was the grateful tri
bute, paid by the national heart, to purity and integ
rity of purpose. - - ' ... , . '
-J3ut the hand of dath is upon him ! Around his
bed-side are gathored the devoted family circle his
faithful domestics, his aged mother, and she who had
shared the fortnnps and vicissitudes of his. evenful
life smoothed his rugged path way to renown, and
shed most exquisite gentleness arid grace around the
various offices' he held. His faculties are unclouded
to the last. Not a murmur, not a regret escapes
him; but calmly and serenely the great man. dies,,
like one who had fallen .asleep ! -What an impres
sive -commentary is here presented upon the empti
ness of. all human ambition the. vanity, of all human
pride and how strikingly illustrated the truth that
" The "path of glory leads hut to tbe grave. 1 '
. , Quis desiderio sit pudor aut modus "''. -
,ViTam.chari capitis I., ..; .i- - ; : ... ...
, . . (Jui pudor et Justitfcp sorpr . . , . . .
" Incorrupta fide"s nddaque YeiltasT
Quando ullum iveniet parem ? - '
Mothers' If vou would, teach vonr sons the true
pathway to honor and Usefulness if you would learn
them lessons of humilityand : deep : filial devotion,
point them to the example of James K. Polk.; His
honor was never impeached, his integrity, never ques
tioned. He was" a most 'unpretending citizen; he was
a most dutiful son."'-"Mother' I have "obeyed you in
all things"T rwere among the last words of the dying'
Ex-President.; .Cherish his .memory J . :. r v -
" Soldiers!. He gaye to the profession of arms what
Decatur fitly styled as 44 opportunity"'' and its valor
covered our flag' with" iraperishableTglory. Guard
Well his feme"? '-' ' ''"'
Gentlemen o:the MasoniaiFtalermlvJ He'- Wa s -a
most worthy member of vthQ. craft, and by the unsul
lied purity of his life,' great faith. in man, and active j
oenevoience, iiiustrateu in an eiuiucni uegrcv ine car-
dinat virtues of yqur order. Honor his memory"? a.
, f. While stands the Coliseum; Rm shall rtand.'.
Such was the exclamation ot an enthusiastic Roman
in contemplating the future grandeur of the.44 J3ter
nal City." W'hile the Republic existswhile the
-
great .-Father -of -Rivera" continues" to poor his an
nual tribute to the .Gulf and while the events of his
day and generation ate not forgotten 1 the name and
fame of James K Polk will, live in the grateful hearts
of , bis countrymen ; "and will perish only, with the
44 last syllable of recorded Jime !"'?-i;- i'--;'"H'
';.. v.--.' -';-', IApptNDix No'fK... r.i - 1 i
j - .Honort to Mr JPolk. Now that this great rand pure
trjan , is gathered to the tomb of bis 1 fathers, every
tongue. is eloquent in his praise,-and in a . lew short
years the most bigoted partizan will accord to him
Ahat Justice which his great pri.vate worth and illus
trious public. services so eminently entitle him to-.
. At g ; recent ; meetingof. the peopleof .; Columbia,
Tennessee, (the old . neighbors of the lamented' de
ceased) Bishop Otey was invited, to preside, and on
taking the chair he made: some eloquent and appro
priate remarks, Among other things the. Bishop re
marked: 44 1 never heard lum (Mr. Polk) utter an
iinkind rword about z. ..political opponent;" and he
concluded his address with the following tribute to
the virtues of the deceased i -k " -
Tho. Bishop 6aid he felt a melancholy pleasure in
presiding as the chairman of that meeting a meeting
called to do honor, to the memory -of one whom he
felt it a privilege-to call his personal friend. : He had
known him for thirty-two years; their friendship had
commenced at an early period of life they had been
fellow students at the same college associated-as
daily companions, in. scenes and pursuits which'form
the oJiaracters and develop the qualities of both heart
and mind.. He. had subsequently known him long
and intimately iq, those social relationSjwhich faring
men together in private and familiar intercourse. He
felt a real satisfaction in giving his testimony on an
occcasion like the present. ; In the race for collegiate
distinctions, Mr. Polk's diligence-and application to
study, combined with vigorous - powers of -intellect,
almost distanced competition.- .He always received
the first honor and generally, if not in each instance,
it was a sepcrate "distinction. In his right and faith
ful submission to lawful authority and regulations he
had no superior in his intercouse with his compan
ions he was affable, courteous -and ' just. He was
never known to be absent from recitation, or other
duty or exercise prescribed by the college laws, unless
prevented by sickness. Through the long acquain
tance already mentioned, he- had never known him
perform an act, he hadnever heard him utter a senti
ment, the recollection of which might raise a blush
upon his cheek, or cause a sigh of regret to escape
from the bosoms of those who loved him. Well
might we lament the departure of such a man ! well
might we do honor to his memory ! well mingle our
sympathies and our tears with those of his friendsMn
mourning for a loss which they feel to be irreparable !
- " Note 6.
Industry and Application of Mr. Polk. The Wash
ington Correspondent of the New York Com. Adv.
-writes: 44 As a public officer he was one of the most
laborious men th.it ever lived. Some of his most
important messages to Congress were delivered in
the very form in which they came? from his hand, with
all their sins of omissions, repetitions, erasures and
interlineations, in his own writing. While Speaker
of the House he had to hear the brunt of a most vio-
lent and excited opposition, in which was intermin
gled a" feeling of bitter personal hostility; He had
to conteiid,againstmen thoroughly masters of parlia
mentary law, yet his decisions against theirdemands
were uniformly sustained by the House. ' His sup
porters and opponents "were alike astonished at the
promptness with which his opinions seemed to be
formed. They did not know that he frequently sat
up lhe whole night, studyingthe Tules and precedents
applicable to the expected business of the next day.
I have been informed, that on -one occasion, -after an
arduous sitting of the House, aTconUnuation of the
debate on the next day being expected, Mr. Polk s:it i
over his books, preparing for the ordeal which he-j
Knew awaited nun, until daylignt, and upon rising j
from his labor, fainted and fell upon the floor. It is
not to be doubted that the labors' of the President
impaired his health, and shortened his life."
Manufactures. Twenty years ago, Lowell was
an obscure villag-e on the Merrimac, in the State ofi
Massachusetts, numbering in population not more
than three thousand souls. W'ithin that period its
population has increased most rapidly, and at the
present day it is estimated at 35,000. The small
village has grown to be a wealthy and ' flourishing
city, and Lowell is now distinguished as the '.Manches
ter of America. This wonderful result has been
achieved by the industry and enterprise of her people
in establishing manufactories. This fact speaks vol
umes, and should serve to stimulate our own citizens
to make an effort at bettering their condition by en
gaging in similar schemes of prosperity. The facil
ities and natural advantages for manufacturing in this
State, are not surpassed, by any other in the; Union J
and it is matter of just surprise that so Utile progress
has been made by' us in this great source of natidnal
wealth. It is time, that our peoplehad thrown off
their lethargy and learned to live and act. We have
been loo long dependant, and too content to be mere
hewers of wood and drawers of water for the Jorth.
Virginia can never assume her pfoperrank in the
scale of her sister Staleslintil she fosters this impor
tant branch of.indiisiry. Unfortunately, we. .have
confined our attention too much to the single' pursuit
of agriculture, -to the neglect of 'thisgreat interest.
There is no location which could afford a" better
market for the manufacture of yarns and cloths than
Norfolk. True.", .we have not the convenience, of
water-power, but we can command, steam,.' which is
considered the cheapest of thVtwoi and-is gradually
superceding the use of .water, even at those paints
where it is'of ready access. It" is impossible for an
enterprise of this kind toYail with a suitable amount
of caoital and under iuflicions management.".
, In those States south of us, they have been cmi-1
nently successful. Without any assistance, from gov-,!
ernment, under the existing tariff law, numerous fac
tories have sprung up, as if by jnagic, in the States
of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee.;
and in their very infancy are, not only, successfully
competing with the long established manufactories of
New England, but are even driving their fabrics from :
. "... - - . ' -
their nwn nnnrs. in rnnspmipnp.flfit thfi nhe;i itnpyts and i J
-: 1-
quality of tho Southern arti
satisfactory result, andjfp
our xankee
possession of
have the eiiect; to iorce-these mrrable petm
the halls of . Congress to ' ask protection against the
44 peculiar instittitions':and other advantages' of the
South', as they-have heretofore done against" the pau
per laoor or jcurope. .- ; ... t
; .:t ' - - - ' i -
f Societt Upset in California
to be w hat the French call bvuleversement a contplete
overtarn of the usual arranorement of society at thef
gold region f tor a' specimen of which-see the follow
ing extract trom a San rrancisco fettejun Hie.Uoston
Courier: .-'- - '-- '
Since my arrival T have seen" a- lieutenanf of tho.
navy 'and a NewYork;merchant,; 'dragging "a. iiahd
cart, at .an ounce per load ; a few d.j'ys since.I mef a
cooks myxsalt pork, and .doe&3nel?Jcks'. brown ;
a printerg froni the Picayune office'keeps.my books,
a"nd.;tvolyoung'gentlemen ffom jobbingjiousf.6:.irf
Pearl"8txeet. (akecareof. the mules, hauhjinober, arid
act as. f orters :-in(the. Store, each at froni.10 : to (0
; W.'rprters Jn ,the. 8,tore,T each atfroni.'ie; to
r daVv w)tfuooaid. la LraJtloxnia ali labor, and am J
la la 1 1 17 tiimlcnod t t Y inn... morvhln CAnvyA a. ..
inentby meeting old friends in such comical employ-.
".!rs,1i.r';''trt r'y-i-i'- - ""-- "
rnnu imagine ,pu iriena .j ; , -f the artist, wub
buckskin , trpusersred, flannel shirt, and .California
Jhat,' ped dli ng ne ws pa pers : ,f , ,t4S un. Herald a nd
b'une, sir ! latest dates" from New York, pni
Tr.ir
dollars each
PNAVArAn in.-WA shall hl 4 V g mu; Wlieie.iuev nnU 1118
b rothers at their-ow n game, and gdi n ! ."J". V '?4. u,t,", "f J ejr g we
tiiekomc rnarkeL- We. hope it may not.1 aiSil11' j1 ,u r"".' H. nv tnineir large draught
. i nere annears i
protessQr.in oneoi jouf nrs.t colleges -driving'tiis ox.
team,' hauling emigrants 4 traps' to the, diggings."
at $20 for one huhdted 'pounds.A Georria pfaiiter
. ' ....J ,.. .. - - - 1
3
ALLtTHETnONESTV AND' CAPACITY"
! We ' give: belowffronl " the Natehes' Free 'Trader,,
anot her specimen ' of Ta
man described reeved the -Commission as Consul
to Lyons, France, a city 'containing a:po(tlatton of
some 200,000, and a'continOed' ihtereOofse With-tliis-'country,
bdth in-'-tradd.- commerce" and immigration.
4 That such. specimen" .'of -Whiggery sheal'be' the
representative of this government at .Such a cityis
among the mysteries of refined Taylorism.v-'"That."pa- -per
thus describe3.;tlie 44pon8ul 'wrV T..,
44 W'hat on earth could. have indilced General Tay
lor to select such a .'vulgar specimen of humanity as
Heudebert, to act as.pur Consul; at the refined fcity of
Lyons, we cannot imagine.' ' Surely he did not know
the character ot the man, who,'if sent any' where nt
ally should. be sent .to the Penitentiary as a-nuisarice
and a curse-td society.'- Someyears agdHeodebeTt
was a.citi7.ehiof this-city,-whero he kep an eating
house.; With his "career in this .city We are: unac
quainted, but are inforned that it was of sacbla'clwir-acter-as
tb render hira' odious; : He was compelled
to remove, his culinary utensils and kitchen fiirnitaro
to some other place. . After much trouble he succeed
ed In getting; possession "of the Race Course in Jef
ferson Co., known as'Hamberlin's ."Track. wher
he kept a doggery and gambling house. .Afr. Ham-'
berlinVwho resides near the. track, soon became dis
gusted with his conduct, and-one-'day. told bim tu
must keep a decent house," or hdwonld be com polled
to turn him out of it. :Not being able to comply-with.
this very proper-demand, Heudebert removed his n'
farious implements of trade to Port Gibson. . What
kind of establishment he kept at Port Gibson, we d
not know, nor do we know how long he resided then.
but we r know he was ordered to leave on account ef
his vulgarities and insult to a very respectable ladi".
In fact, such was the nature of .his offence, that ho
barely -escaped the penalties of Lynch Law. When
we heard of Heudebert again, he had opened a groce
ry and gambling , house in Jackson: . With his ca
reer in Jacksou we: are well' acquainted. - He' has
been several times indicted for keeping a gambling
and disorderly, house, and at one time he was inform
ed by several respectable heads of families', that-if he
did not stop his fteno table, they would drive him a?
a nuisance from the city, and throw his c'ganibling
cards and apparatus into. Pearl Rivera h -r. '. m.-t
' This was a heavy : blow to his" prospects 4.' By
gar, gentlemen," said the horror stricken Heudy, 44 jis
as 1 begin to make my fortune, .by innocent amuse
ment, you tell me I must leave your damn town;
you starve me in Natchy--you win niy; money on
the Ilamberlin tract you drive me to Jackson, and
now you tell tne I must go Some other place, or you
will throw all my things into de pearl river. I havo
ope damn hard time of it. I -no ask )rour- boys to
play Kenn. Some time -they ' win,' sometime they
lose; I no ask them to drink. But they be vergood
customers, for they drink when-they be dry, and when
they be asked arways. Ah; geutlemen, this country
be no longer free, and I shall cry ver much.
This
speech had "no effect . upon , Heuderbert's -'hearers.
One week from that day the Circuit Court of Hinds
county met, the song-of .Heuderbert 's dealer tts
heard no more, and Heuderbert himself was forced
to visit his friends in Louisiana, where he remained
until the adjournment of, , the Court, when be again
returned to Jackson.- lie then returned to his pots
and kettles, opened an eating house, where he carried
gambling on in all its various branches, and lived in.
open intercourse with a negro woman up to the hour
of his appointment as Consul at Lyons.
The above is a true sketch of James Heuderbert, the
whig consul at Lyons. .. .Comment, js unnecessary.
The whole country is insulted and disgraced, at h6m
and abroad, by such an appointment, as Heuderbert
is destitute of honesty and. capacity, and without u
redeeming trait in his character. 'But he is a whig I
.i tial covers a multitude or sins. , ,,
The Plank Roads. The planking of the Detreit
and , Howell road, is rapidly -progressing. ... Already
the plank is down several- miles and. a gite erected.
This road is one of the greatest thoroughfares In, the
State, and will be made still greater by the planking
of it. It will enable farmers to come into market at
all seasons of the year, witil double the loads that
they have heietofore been able to draw, r . . :j
The Detroit and Birmingham plank read, is aUo
rapidly progressing. One mile'of the plank is already
down, and the work of grading nnd placing, plaak on
the line is going. forward rapidly ." :This. is the next
thoroughfare in the State. Even in these dull times,
teams are continually passing to and from the city,
over the road.. , , ...A. - . ! " . .'. -, ',.', t .
. The city is destined to reap a. rich harvest by. means
of these roads. Plank roads make business Every
good farmer keeps a team, and with good roads and
low toll at all seasons, aj vast" amount of produce,
wood, &c, &c, will be brought to market by those
who have not been able to do sa.heretofofef)'i This
will create a greater-competition in ).he, marke'Cand
enable all to purchase the necessaries much chdaper.
At the same time the prpfitSrof the producer will b
increased, from the fact that larger loads can be drawn,
and teams turned to better .accouriC .
" We. hope, to see the. charters' : granted in' 1848', in
various parts of the State, iaken, and the'wbrk co.n
menct?d. The charters" of the' Detroit and Saline, the
Detroit and y.tica, the Detroit and. Erinr the 'Jackson
and Lansing; &c &c.', are all good,' and the- several
routes lay- through IbVbesjl; parts of the State; The
stock. will, not onjy'begood, but the increased facil
ities to fanners will tend to ojien and settle .the un
occupied lands. Every farmer Who'has,.' any ' spare ,
means should be a stockholder in the rpad" Which is
nearest to hisXarm." ' '",".'.'. i." Detroit Free Press. '
. . 1. . v
Norwegian Water TeLes;cppes.-Ah Instrument
which the. people of Norway have found of so o-reat
utility that there is scarcely a single fishing boat with
out one, is-the Water telescope or tube, of thrfo hr
io? ,ff.et l'le?Slh hlU hf cafry; ir it
wltJ,l lh.pni, e Hey go a tishlng... V
their boats
heri ' thv
reach the fishing grounds," they immerse one end of
this telescope in' the .water,' and"lpok"- throuo-h the
glass, which-shows objects some ten' or fifteen fath
oms deep as-distinctly as if they were within a few
7 : t" . d . . ' . -. 1 ,i .'- ; -' -
8ur.,dce . D7- wniCfT, raos, wtien a Shoal
, ' "r"- "u: 'ey''8w instant
f 17 nronarci thmr hate rn f I. w. WnA4M.MJ . -
"Without these" telescopes; their business would ofum
prove precanojis and unprofitable, as";the fishr'ly
Uiese glasses,' are aVdistin'ctfy'scenln the dep 'tl'cav
sea of Norway," as. gold fish in a crystal jar.: This
br tlieir cables warptd on a roadstead," thy imrt-edi-
ately apply" the glass,-and , r guided by it, take-step
io piu aii ngnts, wnicn theyCou!d not do so'well
without the: aid- ef "the 'rude 'and sim'pV iristrumentj
which the meanest fisherman' ean make tip' With his
own hahds without the aid pf a craftsman. -- This in
strument has-been lately ad opted by the Scotch fish
ermen on theTa and By f its assistance they' have
been enabled to Jiscqver.stones, -'holes, nd -ftnoVcn:
groartdv over which their nets trafel, arb? hav'foand:
the telescope" answered to fldmiration-th tninntes
object in fwetve' feet of."watel ' beihj as clearly seen
as on the surface. WeeditKreasbn 'Wriy it fcould
uof be used-Witri adyahtage'iiil theire?s r,Mjqv'sof
,th"e-United -States.; - " s.jr.'uitt t4'..'.-?;.J
-" -:' " J- . ;; . f,."""-'1 .'.'"''."j?Tri-?jc.-J';t-
Otto TiMES '"Umbrellas were introduced by Brit-
fHM inTKTii7s-Trw.rKT--:n.-. .r -
j'.v.-..v ..ivsi .) iiinu liicil MU IB) aiiu ijrj Oul in
cle. This is a' proudand i lrsuir, V .1 he firSVprocess l8 'minntely Wsuryey the
... wiw; .ai.VLl VIIISILI ill 1 U1IUTH IH ML 51 11 lYlC
tlXorfalk .lizus.- ic i ;nsir" "'5iu f not 3cd Dy the fishermen, but it
. ; : : - fu &y.f13 als0 found boj. J thgnSvyand; '6oastfng vessels of
. ni -:i - - ' -v""j- -- mini autuurs eev inio ioui ffmnnn.
a'uw-i.revoiBonaryTwar.';.i'arasol8 wero .then lunknbwn.
L . ' .
Aa a defence' from raiazneh then. wore, 4"n in costsI
aad, women scamblets :Glave8 Wcrcr,ntrodacedi
abont the year! 1755. ; There: were- ery fewJciijtetSi
befoTft.lh.eLTevblirtion.on the floors f n-liea firsj tatrois:-"
duced. lhey covered the floor outside of the chairs
around Uie rooms. - .
V.
3
4i
-
hi ?
...
7U
k "
.v -