::,t).'),(. - . - .'..-. , 4it: - '4 .- ,,'t. - :.0,'.: . • 7 :-'_ttUt . i4'o#..• VOL. L ADDRESS - On the Life, Character and Public Serlices of JAMES K. POLK, Late . President of the United states, DELIVERED B Y B. CHAMPNEYS, act., In the Tann: Hall, in the Borough of Marietta, November 17, 1849 Agreeably -to previous arrangements a meeting was held at the Town Hall, for the purpose of hearing an Address on the life and character of the late illustrious President of the United States, JAMES K. PoLK, by the Hon. B. CHA3IPNEYS, Wll . O had kindly consented to perform that service on the occasion. The meeting was organised by appointing the Hon. J. GROSH, President; and HENRY HAINES and HOPEWELL BLANCHARD, Esqs., Vice Presidents ; and DAVID GROII and SrmoN S. ALBRIGHT, Secretaries. On motion, J. J. Libhart and Charles Kelly, were • appointed to conduct the Speaker to the Hall. After the conclusion of the Address; on motion, the thanks of the audience were tendered to the Speaker, for his eloquent and interesting oration, and a committee appointed in solicit a copy for publication. CORRESPONDENCE .To the 'Hos. B. CHAMPNEYS DEAR Sin :—The undersigned appointed a committee by the Democratic citizens of Marrietta, Maytown and vicinities, who had the pleasure of hearing your eloquent address on the life, character, -and public services, of the late illustrious and la mented Ex-President of the United States, - JAN Es K. Potir, delivered before them on the evening of the 19th inst., at the Town Hall, to solicit aAopy for publication. The committee hope and believe, from your uni form readiness to serve the public, that you will not hesitate to grant this additional favor. With considerations of respect and esteem, your friends, BAYARD GROSE!, J. J. COOK. Marietta, Nov. 19th, 1849. Committee • GENTLEMEN :-I am deeply sensible of my obligations for the kind and friendly sentiments expresSed in your note of the 19th inst. In submitting the Address for publication, in accordance with your request, I cannot presume, in the brief and condensed view of the Life and services of the illustrious deceased, connected with so many important events of our past History, to have been able to contribute any additional in formation to the public mind, upon subjects with which all are so familiar. I remain with high regard your friend and obddient servant, B. CHAMPNEYS. Messrs. J. Huston, John J. Libhart, Andrew Leader, Bayard Grosh, and J. J. Cook, Commit tee. Lancaster, Nov. 20,1849 ADDRESS LADIES AND GENTLEMEN • A passing tribute to the, memory and vir tues of the dead, is a jusedebt from the jus tice of the living. It is associated with the best feelings of the human heart ; with the examples and recollections of the past ; and impelled by an incentive to the bright path of dtity to the future. The resistless wave of time, carries to its last resting place, all 'that remains of humanity ; an the business, turmoils, sel fishness and interests of society impel us onward ; almost unheeding the lifeless form which has been stricken doiim in the midst of its career of usefulness. It has been well said by the poet, " How peaceful and how powerful is the grave !" It curbs the as perities of our nature ; teaches a lesson which must check the vaulting ambition of the aspiring; and inculcates the salutary moral, that every position in society occu pies the same space in the eyes of the di vinity :—" Wheti the fever of the world shall hang upon the beatings of their hearts," as it has been well expressed, there are spirits who will turn their thoughts to the lifeless clay, and reflect upon the memories of the past; and give to the future, the pre diction of the blessings and bounties con ferred by the influence of good deeds, and a pure and patriotic heart. When standing at the grave of one who has distinguished himself for his patriotism and extraordinary services to his country, " The spirit's ladder, That from this gross,and visible world of dust, Even to the starry world, with thousand rounds Builds itself-up;" purifies and elevates the memory and theaf - fections; and discards every other sentiment and feeling, except the impress of the lin eaments of character and service, which leave their golden lines of beauty vividly traced upon the institutions of humanity. No citizen can be elevated to the highest office of this great Republic, without a long course of distinguished public services ; and -whatever differences of political sentiment may exist; all will accord to the „eminent citizen who so recently filled the highest office of his country, that in the various and importantservices which he rendered, he was governed by patriotic motives, and con tributed every effort of his high intellect in the.promotion of the public interests. The din ;of party strife, and- the unfortunate per sonal animosities, necessarily engendered by the universal and pervading excitement of our political contests, are hushed, in our approach to that chamber of death, which points, with unerring certainty, to the doom of the living. The memory of meritorous service, will, however, always remain ; and we will not fail to offer the just homage of our hearts for hispatriotism, his public ser vices, and for his exemplary private vir tues. It cannot be anticipated, that, in the ac ceptance of the kind, invitation tendered by the committee, I shall be able to present to you, - upon the life and character of the il lustrious deceased, and the great results of his administration, any remarks, that will be recommended to your attention, by the aid of their novelty, or that can be embel lished by the blandishments of the imagi nation. Every matter connected with the past history of.our country, and of the great intellects who have wielded the reins of gov ernment, presents so extensive a field for contemplation, that it may almost be deem ed presumptuous, to-attempt even a curso ry glance, at the various interests, necessa rily embraced in the consideration of sub jects,the vastness, and importance of which, are well calculated to startle me from the atterept--atid, especially, when it is consid ered, that the life and services of the dis tinguished man, who is the subject . of this address, with the great measures aßti ben eficial influences, resulting from his admin istration of the government, have already been commented upon, and examined by so many eminent speakers and writers, whose Virtues and intellectual superiority, have left to those who follow them, little else, than the humble task of presenting merely the results of previous'investigations. I am consoled, however, by the reflection, that our knowledge, which is chiefly derived from the laborious A efforts of other minds, aided and strengthened by our own reflec tion and judgment, cannot urge, in the pre sent advanced state of learning and political intelligence, a very high,claim to . original ity. In the writings of the ancient Greek philosopher, whose profound speculations of the first cause, procured:for him the appel lation of divine: he has intimated, that all learning is but the result of memory, found- ed upon idea's, of which he rudiments had formerly been implanted in the mind. This opinion was the result of his doctrine of the pre-existence of the soul; and, although his views, thus broadly expressed, in refer ence to the operations of mind, cannot be sanctioned by experience ; yet the truth and justice of the sentiment, in relation to the chief sources, from which we derive our information, cannot be denied. It teaches us a becoming humility, in any effort to convey instruction or information to others; and I shall, therefore, in the brief and cur sory remarks I propose to make, ask the boon of that liberality and indulgence, which I have so often, and so cheerfully received from my fellow-citizens : and permit me to add the remark, that, IVith the associations of the past history of the deceased, and with all the joyous lights of otir country's free dom and prosperity around us, that he, who would not offer up the gratitude of his heart to an overruling Providence, for the bless ings which the influence of our institutions has so lavishly scattered in our path, must be deficient in a proper appreciation of duty to himself and his country. ". The character, fame and services of James K. Polk, have now become a part of our national property ; and like those of his distinguished predecessors, all party animosities will be hushed, and the just pride of every American, will yield the tri bute, so justly due to his superior abilities, his patriotism, and the purity of his private character. The associations of antiquity recognize the justice of canvassing the mer its and services of those high in authority after their decease ; so, that when deprived of all the ensigns of power and influence, the impartial and unprejudiced judgment of the people can then be fearlessly expressed. The well known charitable expression of the Latin poet, that of the dead nothing should be said, but that which was good and tended to exalt their character, is just so far as to repress that spirit of slander, which sometimes invades the ashes of the dead, for the purpose of gratifying the ma lignity of the living; but truth and justice equally require, that the acts and service§of public men, whether living or dead, should be subjected to the impartial ordeal of pub lic opinion. The long career of public ser vice of James K. Polk with the unsullied integrity of his private character, require no such mantle of charity to cover from the minutest scrutiny of the public mind, all the motives and actions of his life. J. HUSTON, JOHN J. LIBRARY, ANDREW LEADER, The character and services of public men, particularly under the influence of our free institutions, become identified with our his tory; and the impress of their deeds leaves either a beneficial or pernicious influence upon the policy and prosperity of their country. The great security of free gov ernment, depends upon the salutary check of constitutional restrictions; but, it cannot be denied, that a combination of political and intellectual qualifications, requisite for official station, exert the most salutary and enduring influence in the promotion of the public interests. • In approaching, therefore, the considera tion of the life of labor and patriotism of the distinguishA citizen, who has just passed from the admiration and gaze of his coun trymen ; it may not, I trust, be deemed in appropriate to glance at the names of the illustrious men, who have filled the highest station in the government, and having passed from this busy scene of action, have left their character and services for the im partial consideration of the historian and their countrymen. These illustrious men have afforded the best illustration of the power of man for self government; and have falsified that eeflection on human na ture, which the advocatei of despotism so constantly urge, to induce their abject sub jects, to plod on in The sluggish misery, which leaves them without the rights or privileges of huinanity. The name of our first President, George Washington, en twines itself with the inmost fibres of the heart of every American ; and the fame of his exalted patriotism, sheds its beams of light; wherever the standard of freedom is unprled against the oppressor. It is not certain, to adopt the sentiment of the poet, that the earth has any more such ele ments within her bosom, as produced the infant Washington: and, the history of the past, offers no parallel to thd purity, firm ness and disinterestedness of his patriot ism. The right of resistance to despotic au thority, which was inscribed on the ban -ners of our republic, was under such guid ance: our great and patriotic leader bent his knee and offered his orisons :to the God of battles! No atrocity, no violations of justice or social order, stained the career of the soldiers of liberty; Our victory was won! and the result of the blood and toil of our ancestors is now to_be seen in the prosperity and fame of our extended coun try. It was a fitting tribute, therefore, from the devoted admiration of his ,country men, that the great chief of the revolution, who had contributed so much in compelling En. gland to furl her proud flag. and yield all her pretences of sovereignity; should be made the first executive officer, to aid and guide by his experience, patriotism, and wis dom, the dawning, power of that great Union of States whose interests were associated with every impulse of his heart. His adminis tration was worthy of his former fame. It is inappropriate to-the-purposes of this ad " THAT COUNTRY IS THE MOST PROtPEROUS, WHERE LABOR COMMANDS THE GREATEST REWARD."-BLICHANAN CITY OF LANCASTER, TUESDAY MORNING, DECEMI3ER 4, 1849. dress to descant upon its measures. He left, in lines of living light, the traces of his ability, purity and patriotism in every measure- which he adopted: and, in that masterly farewell address, which should be cherished in the memory of every Ameri can devoted to freedom, and the perpetuity of our institutions, he exhibited that solici citude for the preservation of all the safe guards of liberty and the Union, which was offered as the counsel of an old and affec tionate friend, who had dedicated forty-five years of his life to the service of his coun try. In the expression of deep regret, which the Senate of the U- S. presented at his decease, it was justly remarked: " that ancient and modern names are diminished before him: He has travelled on to the end of his journey, and carried with him an increasing weight of honor. He has deposited it where misfortune cannot tar nish it, where malice cannot blast it." The next in order of the illustrious men who have filled the executive chair of the nation, and have passed to that bourne which is the common lot of humanity, was John Adams: Distinguished for his supe rior intellect and literary attainments ; a de voted advocate of the rights of the colonies against English oppression ; a zealous ad viser and supporter of the Declaration of Independence; and after contributing by his energy and eloquence to aid the great cause of the revolution, he was one or the illustrious men who completed the great work of our emancipation by the conclusion of the treaty with Great - Briiain in 1783. Some of the leading acts of his administra tion were justly obnoxious ; and met with the decided disapprobation of the American people; but the motives of patriotism and high sense of duty, which governed his ca reer, ought not to be impugned. His pa triotic spirit gave as its last aspiration " in dependence forever !" The author of that great State paper, which shed its gleams of light upon the op pressed of all nations, was elevated to the executive chair, and became the appropri ate expositor of those great principles of government, which had been so clearly avowed and successfully maintained by his surpassing energy and ability. His first inaugural address presented an able and lucid exposition of the elements which con stitute the securities of our government; and which have been recognized as the fundamental doctrines of the great party of which he was the admitted organ. His administration of the government was dis tinguished by an energetic determination to preserve unimpaired, all the barriers which a strict construction of the constitu tion has interposed against the encroach ments of either executive, legislative or ju dicial power. The results of his wisdom, energy and sagacity, both as to our do mestic and foreign policy, have had the sal utary effect of giving strength and symme try to the great temple of our freedom ; and of protecting our flag from foreign aggres sion. The acquisition of the immense ter ritory of Louisiana, exceeding a million of square miles, of which, Napoleon remark ed, that if he should regulate his terms, ac cording to the value of these vast regions to the U. S., the indemnity would have no limits, will ever be regarded as one among many evidences of his superior and far seeing statesmanship. He and his compa triot of the revolution, Mr. Adams, as is well known, passed from the scenes.of their laborious service on that day of Indepen dence, which was associated with their most glorious recollections. James Madison, distinguished for his abi lity, patriotism and purity' of character; a prominent member of the Convention which formed the Constitution of the United States, and one of its most able advocates, was the successor of Mr. Jefferson. The constant and increasing aggressions of Eng, land rendered the war of 1812 essential to protect our commerce, and the personal rights and liberties of our citizens from vio lation : and, under this administration, it was conducted and terminated in a manner that vindicated the honor of our flag and extended the fame and glory of our country. The able, sagacious and experienced Monroe succeeded Mr. Madison, and ad ministered the government upon the salu tary principles which had been avowed and maintained by Mr. Jefferson and Ibis suc cessor. The executive chair was next occupied by John Quincy Adams, who was elected by the House of Representatives. His ex traordinary literary abilities; his long course of official service,.; his devotion to duty are known to all his countrymen. The man ner of his election and the measures of his administration were disapproved by a large body of his fellow citizens : but none can fail to pay him the tribute, which his great intellect, indomitable perseverance, and high sense of duty so richly merit. The power of the people then placed ANDREW JACKSON in this - high office. His name is associated with the richest recol lections of our country's triumphs and its onward prosperity. In his boyhood and in his matured age he was distinguished by that well-disciplined and superior intellect, which, in the field of battle, in the Senate chamber, and, in the Cabinet, were equally distinguished. His administration, as it has been well expressed, gave " a new lease to the life of the constitution ;" and infused into every department of the government that vigilance and energy of purpose, so es sential to the security of the public interests. The great principles, upon which he based his administration, were, that the general government should exercise only those powers that are clearly designated ; that simplicity and economy should be encour aged in its expenditures; that no more mo ney should be raised-from the people than may be requisite for these objects ; and, in a manner that will best promote the inter ests of all classes of the community and of all portions of the Union. He constantly inculcated the necessity of fostering with our brethren, in all parts of the country, a spirit of liberal concession and compromise: and, by reconciling our fellow citizens to those partial sacrifices, which they must unavoidably make for the:preservation of a greater good, to secure our valuable gov ernment and Union in the confidence and affections of the American people. His whole life, as it has been remarked, was a rich bounty of public service to his coup• try ; and he has left his countrymen " a deathless lesson," " A name, which is a virtue and a scut, Which will multiply itself throughout all time." The next of that illustrious line of those who have passed from the scenes of their public labors was Gen. William H. Harri son. In his youth he was honored with the confidence of Washington; and by his bravery, energy and intelligence, rendered the most distinguished services in the then unsettled regions of the West: and by the patriotic and able manner in which he dis charged the duties of the varied civil and military stations which had been awarded toldm foi faithful and devoted service, he obtained the confidence and received a ma jority of the votes of the American people for the highest office in their gift. In one short month, he was removed from the exalted position, to which the peo ple had just elevated him, by the hand of death ; and the whole nation, with one ac cord, and as one family, bowed their heads in 'grief, at this mysterious dispensation of Providence. In this hurried pilgrimage to the tombs of . the illustrious dead, my duty has been merely to gather their names without any particular delineation of their character and services; so as to array them with the name of our late distinguished President, who has just joined this great equality.— Fiom the shadows of their tombs, the light of their patriotism and services irradiates the country to which they were so devoted. Their commanding abilities and purity of character, and the results of their labors, point to our own favored soil for the satis factory demonstration of the secure enjoy ment of the salutary principles of free gov ernment ; and their corresponding advan tages. In contrasting their names and services with the imbecilities and .oppres skins of the royal line of any country in Europe, we cannot fail to express, with just pride, that the true titles of nobility re sult from the equality and privileges of MI American citizen. Our country has thus completely falsified in .the eminent men who have directed the administration of her affairs, that vile ,sen timent of despotic power, which was equal ly i a libel on human nature, and a reflection on the justice and benevolence of Deity, that man is wanting in the ability for self government. I shall refer with great brevity to the an cestry of James K. Polk. The spirit and influence of our institutions peculiarly de mand, that the personal merits of the in diVidual, independent of birth or-other ad ventitious circumstances must be the only test of title to the favor of his country.— It .was the remark of Napoleon, who, with all his propensities to despotic power re cognized' so fully, capacity and service, as the only and just means of advance ment; when one of his ambassadors was searching through some musty records in Italy, to trace out his title to noble descent, that he neither claimed nor desired any such distinction; that he had no such an cestry ; that he was the first of his family. It , cannot be concealed, however, that there is; a beneficial influence in the recollection and association of patriotic and meritorious service, which may operate upon a well directed mind to stimulate him to the imi tation of. he deeds of his ancestry. The ancestors of James K. Polk, who emigrated to. this country, were from the green isle of Erin ; the land of warm hearts and gallant and chivalrous spirits; who have been equally distinguished for their patriotism, eloquence and literary attainments : and amidst all their oppressions, they have re tained. that devotion to freedom, which in duced Randolph to make the remark, That ' he had met, in his day, with a black swan, but that he had never met with an Irish tory. Their descendants were amongst the fore most and most gallant spirits in our revo lutionary struggle : and were always found unflinching in the path of duty to their country. James K. Polk passed through his colle giate course and received the highest ho nors at the University of North Carolina where he graduated. Having studied the profession of the law under 'a distinguished legal adviser., he was admitted to practice, with a high reputation for learning, ability and industry. It is not detracting from the merit and labor of other professions to say, that there is no position in society which requires larger contributions from every science and 'art, and the whole range of literature, than the profession of the Law : In our country the legal mind ought necessarily to be schooled and disciplined in a knowledge of all our political institutions: in the va ried systems which prevail under the con stitutions and legislation of the several States : and with a thorough knowledge of the adjudications of the national and State tribunals ; combined with the high moral pUrposes which should govern the discharge of the duties of the profession: there is re quired in addition to the proper mental qual ifications, untiring assiduity, energy and integrity to accomplish the high responsi bilities which devolve upon the station.— His intellectual attainments and thorough knowledge of legal principles, joined with a courteous demeanor which recommended him to all with whom he had intercourse, soon enabled him to attain a very high rank in his profession. He was elected in 1823 a representative of the Legislature of Ten nessee ; and in the two successive years that he remained in that body, he acquired a distinguished reputation for his ability and eloquence, and for the integrity and energy With which he had adhered to his political principles. In 1825, at 30 years of age, ho was elected to Congress to represent the district in which he resided, and took his seat at •theTneeting of the House of Representatives in December of the same year. Having been from his youth a member of the Dem ocratic party, and a warm adherent and steady supporter of the principles avowed and maintained by Thomas Jefferson; he did not fail to adhere firmly to that restric tive construction of the constitution, which guarded its provisions from the loose and. uncertain discretion, which Would be the necessary result of an opposite policy. At the time he took his seat,, he was one of the youngest members of COngress. One of his first efforts was in favor of a resolution which he offered proposing an amendment of the Constitution of the United States, so as la give directly to the popular vote the power of electing the President, without, in any event, the election devolving on Con gress. This able and spirited speech main taining such just and patriotic views as to the beneficial results from the greatest ex tension of the popular sovereignty, became a subject of general observation and ap plause. He took decided ground, at the same session, against the projected, embas sy of Mr. Adams to Panama, in which he advocated and eulogized the doctrine of Washington, and opposed the policy of meeting a Congress or representation of other powers, by which we might be in veigled into those entangling alliances, which that great and pare patriot so much deprecated. He contended ably for the true republican doctrine, that the House of Representatives has that control over the appropriations of the government, so as to enable them to refuse their sanction to ex penditures for projects, arising either from treaties or embassies, which had not pre viously received their approval. During the whole of Mr. Adams' administration, he was one of the most prominent and able members of the of Representatives ; decidedly opposed to the measures of that administration, and a warm and devoted supporter of Andrew Jackson. In 1827, as Chairman of a Select Committee, he early avowed his views in favor of such modification of the revenue laws, laying duties upon ,our imparts, as would reduce the receipts to the exigencies of the public service: and he protested against the power of Congress to collect from the people mo neys for distribution as surplus revenue. In the important veto, which Gen. Jack son sent to the House of Representatives in 1830, on the celebrated Maysville road bill, in which he laid down the salutary doc trine, that Congress had not the general power to expend the moneys of the public treasury for the general purposes of inter nal improvement, except, as'connected with our national defences; and the improvement of such harbors as was necessary for the protection of our commerce; Mr. Polk was a prominent and able advocate of the prin ciples and policy which should direct the government as thus presented by Andrew Jackson. In the political collisions which were pro duced by .Gen. Jackson's opposition to the Bank of the U. S., he took a bold and de cided part in endeavoring to expose, what he alleged to be, the attempts of that bank to overshadow and overawe the govern ment : and, in 1832, as a member of the committee of ways and means, he presented the report of the minority of that committee, ably vindicating the course of the executive, and presenting a bold and masterly delinea tion of the various charges which had been urged against the management of the bank. It required, at that day, with the immense influence of that institution, and with the va ried interests connected with it, which were so necessarily entwined into every department of business gnd society, a bold and determined spirit, to resist its efforts to obtain mastery over the government.— One of the friends of the bank subse quently admitted, that the history of the last few years should con Vince all who were open to conviction, that any evils which may be anticipated from the want of such an institution, however great, are more tol- erable; than the certain, positive and im measureable injuries which we know have flowed from one that was instituted under the most favorable auspices. In the exciting discitssions, which follow ed the removal of the deposits of the Gov ernment from the Bank of the U. States, in 1833, Mr. Polk, as . chairman of the com mittee of ways and means, reported certain resolutions to the House fully sustaining the views of the President ; and by his able and clear exposition 'of the reasons and mo tives which induced the removal, he ren dered most effectual service, in obtaining the vote of the House of Representatives adopting the resolutions ; and this measure had necessarily the effect of giving a vital and fatal blow to the further efforts of this institution for existence. In December, 1835, Mr. Polk was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, and during the extraordinary political ex citement which prevailed for five sessions ; he presided over their deliberations with distinguished ability, promptitude and im partiality. It seemed to be admitted, that no individual except Mr. Clay, had ever oc cupied the chair as Speaker, more admira bly calculated to discharge its high and re sponsible duties. I was a personal witness, during several very exciting debates, to the courteous manner, promptitude and energy of character, which characterized his con duct in that exalted and difficult station.— In the various and numerous appeals, which were taken from his decisions, he was in variably sustained by the vote of the house; and frequently without reference to political differences. At the close of the session of 1837, he received, on the motion of a dis tinguished political opponent from this State, the unanimous approbation of the House for the fidelity and dignity with which he had discharged the onerous and responsible du ties of the chair. He retired from the office of Speaker, and from the House of Representatives, in 1839, and, upon receiving the thanks of the House at the close of their deliberations, he responded in terms which were charac terized by that ability and devotion to duty, which were consistent with all the acts and declarations of his public life. He remark ed that the high office from which he was retiring might in future times be filled, as doubtless it would be, by abler men, but that it could not be filled by any one who would devote himself with more zeal to do his whole duty than he had done. Mr. Polk thus retired into a private life, after a devoted and able service of - fourteen years in Congress ; and during that time he main tained an able and prominent position upon every great question of policy which was the subject of debate ; although he was necessarily in constant conflict with the many able and distinguished men of his po litical opponents, who were members during his,period of service. The same year that he retired from the Halle of Congreaa, be became a candidate for Governor of Tennessed, and was elected by a large majority; and he performed all his duties during his gubernatorial term with distinguished ability. He supported the nomination and urged the election of Martin Van Buren in 1840 ; and the result of the overwhelming defeat which that can didate suffered in Tennessee and throughout the Union, prevented the possibility; of Mr. Polk's re-election ; and he was therefore defeated in the fall of 1841 by the election of his opponent. From 1841 when he left the executive chair of Tennessee,he remain ed in private life until his nomination by the Baltimore convention. During this period he was surrounded by a circle of devoted friends, in the enjoyment of their confidence' and with the universal attachment of his neighbors ; and at this time, and during the whole period of his political career, no man was more firmly seated in the affec tions of Andrew Jackson than James K: Polk. The great and essential qualifica tions of a statesman, the sagacity to per ceive, and the decision to act, were the con stituent traits of his political character. He. never failed to avow and maintain his opin ion upon any question of foreign and do mestic policy, which involved the interests of the country, He took a decided stand with the hero of New Orleans in fa vor of the annexation of Texas. In reply to a letter from the opponents of annexation early in 1844 he said : " Let Texas be an nexed, and the authority and laws of the United States be established and maintained within her limits, as also in the Oregon Territory, and let the fixed policy of our government be, not to permit Great Bri tain to plant a colony or hold dominion over any portion of the people or territory of either. These are my opinions ; and with out deeming it necessary to extend this let ter, by assigning the many reasons which influence me in the conclusions to which I come, I regret to be compelled to differ so widely from the views expressed by your selves, and the meeting of citizens of Cin cinnati, whom you represent." The long course of public service of this distinguished man to the State and Nation; his consistency and devotedness to the peo ple whose confidence had elevated him ; his boldness and fidelity in advocating what he ' considered to be the true interests of the country, rendered him peculiarly qualified for the high office which was subsequently bestowed by the approving voice of his countrymen. I was present at the delibera tions of the Democratic Convention, at Bel timore in May, 1844 ; and without depart ing from the proper purpose of this address; by adverting to the details of their pro ceedings, or the candidates that were in nomination, I will merely remark, that I never witnessed a more enthusiastic or uni ted demonstration of feeling, than was ex hibited when James K. Polk was nomina ted. It was hailed as a precursor of vic tory, by the great party which nominated him ; as he was presented as a candidate, upon the principles avowed by that Con vention, uninfluenced by past defeats or any prejudices resulting from past dissen sions. Amongst the able gentlemen who advo cated his nomination, it is due to one of our own distinguished citizens, to say, that no member of the Convention was more prominent and enthusiastic in presenting and urging the propriety and justice of nominating Mr. Polk than himself. The national convention at Baltimore, em bodied in resolutionsunanimously adopted, the principles which were to govern the ap proaching political contest. These resolu-1 tions presented, with other sentiments, that the federal government derives its powers, solely from the constitution ; and that these powers ought to be strictly construed by all 1 the departments of the government: and that the federal government has not the power to commence and carry on a general sys tem of internal improvements: That the constitution does not confer the power to assume the State debts ; nor 'to charter a national bank: That the liberal policy of the government requires entire equality of rights and privileges ; so that one branch of industry should not be fostered to the de triment of another ; but that the government should equally extend its protection of per sons and property to every portion of our common country. That Congress has no power to interfere with or control the do mestic institutions of the several States:— that such States are the sole judges of every matter pertaining to their affairs, not prohibited by the constitution. That every effort to induce Congress to interfere with these institutions, are calculated to dimin ish the general security of the people ; and endanger the principles of our national gov ernment, which were thus promulged as being closely associated with the unaltera ble interests of the people : These princi ples were fully acceded to by Mr. Polk in his acceptance of the nomination. ' The Whig party presented as their can didate, the most distinguished and able ad vocate of their views of public policy, in the person of Henry Clay ; and the exci ting political contest which ensued, was a fair encounter of the antagonist principles of the two great parties, which have so long divided the republic. The result was, that Mr. Polk was elected to the distinguished station, for which he was nominated; by a majority over Mr. Clay of 65 electoral votes; and Mr. Dallas, the able and distin guished candidate for the vice presidency, was elected by the same majority over his opponent Mr. Frelinghuysen. The Committee of Congress who an nounced to him officially at 'Washington his election, received a reply expressing his deep sense of gratitude for the confidence reposed in him by the people; and request ed the committee to convey to Congress his assurance, that in executing the responsible duties which would dAvolve on him, it would be his anxious desire to maintain the honor and promote the welfare .of the country. His inaugural, delivered on the 4th of March, 1845, was a clear and master ly exposition of the principles and policy which should control the administration of the goVernment He avowed, thatit should be his first care, to administer the govern: ment in the true spirit of the constitution ; and to assume no powers not expressly granted, or clearly implied in its terms : that the government of the United States ; is one of delegated and limited posstera ; and by a strict adherence to the authority that clearly granted ; we have a sure guarana tee against the recurrence of those unfortu nate collisions which have occasionally so much disturbed the harmony of our s sys tem ; and eventhreatened .. the'perpetuity of our glorious Union. In speaking of the beneficial results of ourinational govern ment, under our free institutions, he just ly and eloquently remarks i" It is a com mon protector of each and all the States ; of every man who lives; upon our soil, whether of native or foreign birth ; of every , religious sect in the worship of the Al mighty, according to the dictates Of their own conscience; of every shade of opinion and the most free inquiry ; of every art, trade and occupation consistent with the laWs of the States ; and we rejoice in the general happiness and prosperity of our country which have been the offspring of freedom and not of power." In speaking of the constitutional power vested in the executive, of a qualified veto 'upon the acts of the Legislature, he re marked : "it arrests, for the time, hasty and inconsiderate or unconstitutional legisla tion ; and, when judiciously and properly . exercised, the constitution itself may be saved from infraction and the rights of all preserved and protected." hi s reference to the attempts made to in terfere with domestic institutions peculiar to some- sections of the Union ; he says, that the compromises of the constitution must not only be preserved, but sectional jealousies and heartburnings must be dis countehanced ; and all should remem ber; that they are members of the same political family ; having a common destiny. He. congratulated the country upon tho en tire extinguishment of the national debt, created by the war of 1812 ; and uleemeti it to be the just and obvious policy of every government ; by strict economy in the management of its affairs, to keep its ex penditures strictly within the means of the treasury ; and never create a national debt, except, when the public exigencies imper atively demand it. Upon the agitating subject of a propor adjustment of the tariff, in reference to which so many conflicting views have ex isted, he frankly expressed the liberal prin ciples by which his executive action would be guided, in the recommendation of reve nue laws to supply the wants of the Gov ernment. "In levying duties," said he, "it is, doubt less, proper to make such discriminations, within the revenue principle, as will afford incidental protection to our home interests. Within the revenue limit, there is a discre cretion to discriminate; beyond that limit the rightful exercise of that power is not ad mitted. The incidental protection afforded to our home interests, by discrimination, within the revenue range, it is believed, will be ample. In' making discriminations, all our home interests should, as fir as prac tical, be equally protected. The largest portion of lour people are agriculturalists: others are employed in manufactures, corn,- merre, navigation, and the mechanical arts. They are alk engaged in their respective pursuits, and their joint labors constitute th• national or home industry. All are equal ly entitled to the fostering care and protec tion of the Government. It is a subject upon which conflicting interests of sections or occupations are supposed to exist: and a spirit of mutual concession and comprom ise in adjusting its details,, should be cher ished in every part of our wide spread country, as the only means of preserving harmony, and a cheerful acquiescence of all in the operation of our revenue laws." Ho congratulated the country, that the Republic of Texas was about to form a part of our confederacy, and enjoy, with us, the blessings of liberty, secured and guarantied by our constitution : " To Texas," he re marked, "the re-Union is important, because the strong, protecting arm of our Govern ment, would be extended over her; and the vast resources of her fertile soil and genial climate would soon be developed ; while the safety of New Orleaus and our whole south western frontier against hostile oppression, as well as the interests of the whole Union would be promoted by it. • He also adverted to the clear and unques tionable title, which had so long been con tested by England to the country of the Oregon ; and declared his determination, to assert and maintain, by all constitutional means, the right of the United States to this portion of our territory, which lies beyond the Rocky mountains. In the direction of our foreign relations, he avowed, that it would be his aim to ob serve a careful respect for the rights of otli er nations; while our own would be the subject of constant watchfulness. Sc eon 'eluded this address, by supplicating the blessing of the divinity upon our beloved country ; to continue his gracious benedic tions upon us, that we may be preserved as a prosperous and happy people. I have thus presented, with great brevity, the leading principles avowed by President Polk ; by which, he prescribed in plain terms the path of executive duty, which ho intended fearlessly to pursue. The members of his cabinet were selected from the most experienced, able and distin guished statesmen of the country ; and, with the aid derived from the well tried ability, and patriotic devotion to duty, which characterized the Vice President, there was thus concentrated, about the President, es his constitutional advisers, a body of men, whose intellectual superiority and integrity of character, ensured, that they would be equal to any emergency, which either the honcir or the interests of the country might require from their services.: The first annual ,message of President Polk presented a reiteration, of the great, principles so clearly expressed in his inau gural; by which he intended' to regulat the administrative policy of the government. The messages of our Presidents are a strik ing contrast to the brief, and mysterious generalities of the English crown. The representatiVe of the popular power has nothing to conceal ; and he discloses ironic ly to the people, his entire knowledge as to the corittition and relations of the gov ernmenl;''The policy of our government is essentially'pacific, but the conditioit of the world; 'atid the disposition of nations must be very much changed before Wrongs [Conclusion on fourth page.] NO. 45.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers