James K. Polk
James K. Polk
James Knox Polkwas the 11th President of the United States. Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He later lived in and represented Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as the 13th Speaker of the House of Representatives—the only president to have served as House Speaker—and Governor of Tennessee. Polk was the surprisecandidate for president in 1844, defeating Henry Clay of the rival Whig Party by promising to annex the Republic of Texas. Polk was a leader of Jacksonian Democracy...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionUS President
Date of Birth2 November 1795
CityPineville, NC
CountryUnited States of America
James K. Polk quotes about
Thank God, under our Constitution there was no connection between church and state.
No president who performs his duties faithfully and conscientiously can have any leisure.
There are four great measures for my administration - a reduction of tariff, an independent treasury, settlement of the Oregon boundary and acquisition of California.
With me it is exceptionally true that the Presidency is no bed of roses.
Minorities have a right to appeal to the Constitution as a shield against such oppression.
Public opinion: May it always perform one of its appropriate offices, by teaching the public functionaries of the State and of the Federal Government, that neither shall assume the exercise of powers entrusted by the Constitution to the other.
The gratitude ... should be commensurate with the boundless blessings which we enjoy.
There is more selfishness and less principle among members of Congress than I had any conception of, before I became President of the U.S.
I am heartily rejoiced that my term is so near its close. I will soon cease to be a servant and will become a sovereign.
The passion for office among members of Congress is very great, if not absolutely disreputable, and greatly embarrasses the operations of the Government. They create offices by their own votes and then seek to fill them themselves.
The Presidency is not a bed of roses.
All distinctions of birth or of rank have been abolished. All citizens, whether native or adopted, are placed upon terms of precise equality. All are entitled to equal rights and equal protection.
Well may the boldest fear and the wisest tremble when incurring responsibilities on which may depend our country's peace and prosperity, and in some degree the hopes and happiness of the whole human family.